Farmington approve floodplain update plan

FARMINGTON -- A study to update the city's floodplain will look at three streams in the city to provide accurate information for flood insurance maps.

The City Council recently approved participating in the floodplain mapping project for about $20,000. Total cost will be $79,500, with the Federal Emergency Management Agency providing 80 percent of the money. The project is being sponsored through Arkansas Natural Resources Commission.

Lee Beshoner, water resources engineer with FTN Associates of Fayetteville, said during the council's meeting the study will consider about 5 1/2 miles of streams and will look at areas draining to the South Fork of Farmington Branch, Spring Mountain Creek and North Fork of Farmington Branch.

The scope of the project will be Zone A of the floodplain, but this will not include all of the city, Beshoner said.

Several council members were concerned the study didn't include Meadow Sweet subdivision, just off Arkansas 170. One street in the subdivision has had major problems with flooding.

Alderwoman Diane Bryant said she supported the project, but said it didn't go far enough.

"I strongly recommend you add Meadow Sweet subdivision," Bryant said.

Council member Keith Lipford said he wondered why Meadow Sweet wasn't included in Zone A, considering flooding problems over the years.

Beshoner said the project would be a starting point and all information would be turned over to the city when finished.

If there are "hot spots," city officials then could decide to expand the study and map other areas, Beshoner said.

The project will start Oct. 1 and will probably take a year to finish, Beshoner said, noting the results probably will show some areas are no longer in the floodplain and other sections should be added to the floodplain map.

Mayor Ernie Penn said a new map will be a good step.

He pointed out the most recent flooding in Meadow Sweet occurred after Farmington received 12 inches of rain in 24 hours.

"There's no drainage system that can control all that water," Penn said.

Penn said the city will discuss ways to alleviate flooding in the neighborhood.

"We're going to be proactive to help those folks," Penn said.

In other action, the City Council approved applying for federal money to widen Arkansas 170 from Main Street to Clyde Carnes Road.

Farmington already has received money to design the project and is approved for money to acquire property to relocate utilities.

The latest grant would be $800,000 to pay for moving utilities, with the city providing 20 percent, or $200,000.

The money is coming from the Federal-Aid Transportation Block Grant Program administered through Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission.

The council also approved a low bid of $41,151 from Hutchens Construction to pave five-eighths of a mile on North Appleby Road. The road surface is chip and seal and was damaged by recent flooding.

NW News on 06/23/2017

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