Restoration of the West Fork Channel
As part of a long-term, final remedial solution in the West Fork watershed, MSD is considering restoration of the West Fork Channel to a naturalized waterway with a restored floodplain.
The West Fork Creek flows through the West Fork watershed, bringing natural drainage and stormwater runoff to the Mill Creek. In the 1920s, the Civilian Conservation Corps channelized (with concrete sides and bottom) a portion of the creek in the valley where it parallels West Fork Road. The channelized portion of the creek is known as the West Fork Channel.
A combined sewer runs beneath the West Fork Channel with various stormwater inlets along its bottom that allow water in the channel to enter the sewer. This can create situations where the West Fork Creek is freely flowing upstream while the channel is practically dry downstream.
During rain events, stormwater entering the combined sewer from the channel can result in combined sewer overflows (CSOs) back into the channel. More than 300 million gallons overflow annually. According to the State of Ohio, the creek is currently impacted by bacteria and habitat impairments.
In 2010, MSD was awarded a $3 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OEMA) to help re-establish and restore the floodplain and floodway to properly handle natural drainage. The grant monies, along with a $1.3 million local cost share from MSD, were used to purchase properties and demolish 19 buildings located within the floodway and floodplain along West Fork Road, Ammon Avenue and Hayes Avenue.
MSD is seeking additional funding to assist with this restoration project, which would improve water quality in the Mill Creek and provide a community amenity and potential catalyst for revitalization in this area.
Existing conditions along West Fork Channel (click image for larger view)
Preliminary restoration concept for West Fork Channel (click image for larger view)