Watershed Description

The Vestal Ditch-White River Watershed is one of the smaller watersheds (11,660 acres) that drain land in the Town of Fishers. Only 13% of this entire watershed is within the Town’s planning area, almost all of which (90%) is within the Town’s corporate limits. The major waterways within the Town of Fishers planning area include: White River, Smock Creek, Light Branch, Delight Creek, and 2 regulated drains (Castetter/Randall Drain and RJ Craig Drain).

This watershed contains the oldest residential neighborhoods (47%) and commercial developments (28%) in the Town of Fishers. Ninety-five percent (95%) of the Vestal Ditch-White River Watershed was urbanized before 1984.

Existing Conditions and Concerns

Existing condition and concerns were gathered using a variety of data sources. All resources are referenced in Chapter 7 of this Master Plan. Supporting documentation on water quantity data listed below can be found in Appendix 2 and water quality in Appendix 3.

• Detailed floodplain study (Zone AE) has been completed for White River and Approximate (Zone A) delineations exist for Delight Creek.
• No additional hydrologic or hydraulic studies in this watershed were found that were pertinent to this Master Plan.
• There are 3 USGS stream gauges monitoring flow and stage levels that are applicable to this watershed. Upstream, a gage with over 50 years of record exists in Noblesville. Downstream in the Nora area of Indianapolis is another gage with over 70 years of record. One gage (3350800) is located within the planning area at White River and 146th St near Noblesville. It has been in operation since 2006.
• No existing modeling was located that could be used to evaluate the release rates required by the Ordinance in this watershed.
• There are approximately 35 structures located in the floodway of White River. These structures are located in areas with approximately 4 feet deep water flowing at higher velocities due to their proximity to the channel. Some of these structures are on record as having repetitive losses due to flooding. This is not a safe area in which to live during a flood. (This area is currently not in the Town corporate limits.)
• The riparian buffer along White River and Smock Creek is limited because of the golf course area as well as on Delight Creek from neighboring agricultural use. Good buffer along Light Branch (80 to 125 feet) Limited to no buffer along the regulated drains.
• No wetlands were identified in this watershed.
• This watershed is considered to be fully urbanized. Redevelopment efforts are being considered to enhance the historic Fishers Town Center.
• Based on available land use date, imperviousness is estimated to be 80% which is typically indicative of poor water quality.
• Water quality monitoring conducted in 2009 at River Glen Pond inlet and River Glen Drive for this Master Plan indicates:
• Chemical – Nitrogen levels were below water quality targets while total and dissolved phosphorus concentrations and turbidity levels were below detection limits. The Indiana State Water Quality Standard for E. coli was exceeded in 70% of the samples with a high of 2,190 MPN/100 ml.
• Biological – The average PTI was the lowest of 10 sites (15.5: Fair).
• Physical – QHEI score was 8th lowest of 10 sites (54.5/100) in part due to low individual metric scores regarding erosion on both banks as well as the pool and riffle structure within the stream.
• Other water quality studies:
• The Hamilton County Health Department monitors water quality during the recreation season at the White River and 116th Street 65% of samples taken between May 2004 and September 2009 exceeded the Indiana State Water Quality Standard for E. coli.
• USGS monitored water quality at White River and 116th St between 2002 and 2005.
• White River is the only waterway in this watershed that is listed on the State of Indiana 303(d) List of Impaired Streams.
• Based on available land use data for this watershed, it is anticipated that water quality in some or all water bodies is likely impacted by elevated nutrients, bacteria, total suspended solids, and metals loads.
• Dry weather screening conducted by the Town of Fishers identified 46 outfalls (no dry weather flow observed).

Exhibit 2-2b
Floodplains, Drainage & Flooding Concerns

Known Drainage Problems or Concerns

The following were drainage problems or complaints identified in the Vestal Ditch-White River Watershed by the Town of Fishers staff, recorded in the Town’s Drainage Complaint Database, or gathered during the Public Meeting. These include:

• Building Flooding (37):
  • Overflow from storm pipe results in flooding across the west side of the property and is washing out the driveway behind the building (south of Allisonville Road and Wigeon Drive) (B1).
  • There is alleged flooding of a building at 111th Street and Allisonville Road (B2).
  • There are approximately 35 structures located in the floodway of White River (BR51-BR84).  These structures are located in areas with approximately 4 feet deep water flowing at higher velocities due to their proximity to the channel.  Some of these structures are on record as having repetitive losses due to flooding.  This is not a safe area in which to live during a flood.  (This area is not located within the Town of Fishers corporate limits).
• Water Quality (2):
  • There is concern about water quality in the River Glen neighborhood pond from upstream commercial development and surrounding residential use (unnamed tributary to White River and River Glen Drive) (C3).
  • Septic system failure is suspected via unnamed ditches (Charleston Pkwy and Johnston South Drive in the Charleston Crossing neighborhood) (C14).
• Pond Flooding (2):
  • Detention ponds surrounded by mixed use development may not be functioning as effectively as it was originally intended (D2 & D6).
• Streambank Erosion (1):
  • There is stream bank erosion along Light Branch (Sun River Drive and River Ridge Drive in River Ridge neighborhood)(E4).