Sept 14 Update - Canal Repair Meeting

[Bridget & Chris Carson]

The water company held another public meeting tonight to continue discussions on the repairs to the banks of the canals. In summary, here is what was discussed:

1. Repair work will take place next spring (March/April).
2. The work will begin at College and end at Capitol.
3. There will be a minimum of three feet of white rock (limestone rip rap) below the water line, with natural river rocks making up the rock material for two feet above the water line. Native plants and grasses will be planted between the top of the bank and the natural rock. The drawings looked pretty nice.
4. The Ph of the canal will not be negatively affected by the rip rap.
5. There will be a liner under the rock which will be made of fiberglass. The specifications for the materials to be used will be posted on the Violia web site. The rock is placed over the liner to keep in in place. The bottom of the canal will not be affected.
6. The water company will work w/Dr. Travis Ryan, the turtle doc from Butler, to ensure the integrity of nesting spots and viability overall for turtle habitats.
7. The canal is eligible for to be designated as a historic landmark, but it was unclear how that would go forward - does the city file an application? They didn't elaborate on this.
8. Trees growing in the banks of the canal will be taken out. Right now there are a lot of trees along the canal marked with yellow ribbon. At this point the water company wasn't sure which ones would absolutely have to go.

In general, the illustrations looked very nice. The PowerPoint w/the drawings can be found on the Violia web site. They will have another public meeting in the near future, but they didn't specify a date and time as of yet. Stay tuned.

Of more concern is a future project by the Army Corps of Engineers, to install a floodgate across the canal and also build a floodwall along one side of the canal. The water company folks said they will ask reps from the Corps to attend the next public meeting to answer questions on THAT project.

I saw a lot of Warfleigh neighbors at the meeting - YEAH - thanks for coming! Please feel free to add anything I've overlooked.

[Griff]

It didn't sound like there's anything to worry about. The canal is a tool. It provides most of the Indy drinking water. That is all it does. Now, in making it more efficient and keeping the water system intact if they can keep it beautiful it will be a bonus and that looks very promising.
There was a highlight when the floodgate was discussed. Somebody asked what would happen to the drinking water supply from the canal if the floodgate needed to be closed. If the floodgate needs to be closed you're a long way past worrying about drinking surface water.

[Heather Lusk]

Thanks a lot for the update Bridget and to everyone who was able to attend. It sounds like they're at least listening to the neighborhoods. I know there are plenty of people who will be diligent in making sure they stick to their promises!

did they happen to mention how long the rip-rap and materials would last? It seems like someone mentioned after the last meeting it has a lifespan of less than 20 years, but has this changed with the new materials?

[Brian Wheat]

Did they talk about plans for the canal east of college?

[Bridget & Chris Carson]

BRVA has asked that clean-up and beautification be included for the Canal east of College back to the river. This has been a sore spot for a while now 'cause that part of the canal LOOKS SO BAD! At last night's meeting, they mentioned that it is being discussed, but they didn't commit to it. However, I just got an email from Lou Ann at the Water Company (Communicatoins VP) who indicated that Matt Klein (water company prez) and Tom Healy of BRVA are working to make this happen "sooner than later." Tom's been advocating this for a long time, he might have more info. .