Fond du Lac residents gathered for a ribbon‑cutting ceremony on North Lincoln Avenue as the city officially opened its new storm‑water pump station. The $10 million project consolidates two aging facilities into a single, modern lift station designed to keep water out of basements and streets during heavy rain events.
Why the new station matters
Local memory of the 2008 and 2019 floods remains vivid. “The water came over the over here with the two branches… within probably an hour our basements were filled and it was waist‑deep in the streets and it was awful,” recalled longtime resident Patrick Faris.
Those floods exposed the limits of Fond du Lac’s storm‑water system, which is more than half a century old. When the system is overwhelmed, water backs up into neighborhoods that sit below river level, causing costly damage to homes and businesses.
How the lift station works
According to Paul DeVries, the city’s Director of Public Works, the new facility uses the region’s natural topography to move water quickly from underground drains up to the river. “When it rains, the water collects in our storm drains and pipes underground and it comes to this location. Because of the topography here, we use pumps to get it up to the river level,” DeVries explained.
The heart of the station is a trio of high‑capacity pumps capable of moving roughly 65,000 gallons per minute—about 100 million gallons per day. Scott Chilson, project manager for MSA Professional Services, the engineering firm that designed the system, said the rapid response is essential. “When it starts raining, the time that takes for that raindrop to get to this pump station is very, very short. That’s why the pump station has such a high capacity because the water is going to get in there fast,” Chilson said.
Community response
Beyond its functional benefits, the station has earned praise for its appearance. Faris noted, “It looks like one of the nicest houses on the block… I’m glad they did this, it’s beautiful. I feel like we should put some rocking chairs in front and just hang out and enjoy it.” The design blends with the residential streetscape, turning a critical piece of infrastructure into a neighborhood landmark.
Project timeline and future outlook
The lift station went online in February and was fully operational by the summer, providing immediate protection during the season’s rainstorms. City officials anticipate that the new capacity will reduce flood‑related emergencies and lower insurance claims for residents.
Mayor Chris Buehlmann praised the project as a tangible example of responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. “Investing in resilient infrastructure protects families, supports local businesses, and preserves the quality of life our community values,” he said.
What’s next for Fond du Lac’s storm‑water system?
While the new lift station marks a major upgrade, city leaders acknowledge that ongoing maintenance and future enhancements will be necessary to keep pace with climate‑related weather patterns. The public works department plans to conduct regular assessments and explore additional upgrades to drainage corridors throughout the city.
For now, North Lincoln Avenue residents can breathe easier knowing that a modern, high‑capacity pump station stands ready to lift water away before it can cause another flood disaster.
Original reporting: FOX 11 WLUK Green Bay (local) — read the source article.
