The following discussion is based on drainage problems or complaints that were identified in the Thorpe Creek - Geist Reservoir Watershed for existing and future concerns noted in Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 of this Master Plan.

Each issue, concern, or opportunity is restated in simple terms, and then followed by an evaluation of the promising alternative solutions (if applicable), a discussion of the recommended improvements, and an estimate of the associated costs. The cost estimates are provided for budgeting purposes only. A copy of these cost calculations is included in Appendix 4. They are based on field observations and limited data. Actual cost of construction and design may be more or less depending on additional information that would be gathered during the design phase. For the issues that had several promising solutions, CBBEL explored the solutions and narrowed them down to the best solution with input from the Town of Fishers staff. Table 5-2 at the end of this Chapter provides a summary of the recommended improvements. Chapter 6 of this Master Plan will focus on implementation of the recommendations identified.

Recommended improvement to address street flooding on Ringer Road.
Site A14

TC1

Issue

Water ponds on Ringer Road just south of 116th Street (A14).

Recommended Improvement

Several options were investigated to solve street flooding issues including:

1. Creation of roadside swales to direct runoff to outlet points. These swales could use vegetation and be constructed at shallow slopes such that water quality benefits could also be obtained by the removal of sediment and other pollutants,
2. Construction of hybrid ditches (or infiltration trenches) in lieu of swales to permit recharging of groundwater or filtration and collection by an underdrain system,
3. Installation of bioretention areas (rain gardens) to collect and treat runoff from roads, paths, and rear yards,
4. Installation of curb and gutter with turnouts to direct runoff to a roadside swale or bioretention area instead of keeping water on the street,
5. Installation of culverts and/or inlets to collect and convey runoff safely to a discharge point,
6. Establishment of a plan for routine inspections and maintenance of the storm sewer infrastructure so that trash, debris, sediment accumulation, or system component damage does not prevent the system from working at full capacity,
7. Location of the source of the flooding and construct bioretention areas or diversions that keep water off the street,
8. Installation of permeable pavement in areas where other methods of eliminating the flow will not work,
9. Requirement for as-built data to be submitted for all new development in order to ensure compliance with approved plans and to provide data for troubleshooting a system in the future, and
10. Construction of asphalt shoulders to prevent vehicles from creating dirt mounds along the road that hold water on the road.

Based on the goals and performance criteria established for this Master Plan (Chapter 4) as well as limitations at the site, the recommended alternative for this site is to rehab the existing culvert under the road to increase the flow capacity and to construct a swale in the right of way along the west edge of the road to direct flow off of the road and to the culvert inlet. This swale should extent to the south almost to the driveway as well as to the north along the turn lane from 116th Street. The estimated cost of this alternative is $7,000.  (Site A14)

Ponding along Georgia Rd.

Recommended improvements to address street flooding on N. Georgia Road.
Sites A12,A37,A38

TC2

Issue

Water ponds at 3 locations on N. Georgia Road north of 96th Street (A12, A37, A38).

Recommended Improvement

The same potential solutions as described under TC1 were investigated for this issue. Based on the goals and performance criteria established for this Master Plan (Chapter 4) as well as limitations at the site, it is recommended that due to the flat grade in the area, additional survey be obtained along the road corridor to determine whether or not there are available locations for drainage to be directed under the road via a catch basin and culvert while still providing adequate cover for the culverts.

Sites A37 and A38 appear to naturally drain towards Bee Camp Creek. Site A12 naturally drains to a swale that flows west into Geist reservoir. Drainage of each of these areas under the road should not change the natural drainage direction. For Site A12, this means that the drainage cannot stay on the east side of the road and be redirected to Thor Run. Subdivision plans on the west side of Georgia Road should also be reviewed for impacts that culvert locations would have on any portions of that development which have already been approved.

It is recommended that the Town coordinate the solution to this issue with future development of the farm field to the east. The survey portion of this analysis is estimated to cost $15,000.  (Sites A12, A37, A38)

Schematic illustrating regrading solution to address ponding on Brooks School Road.
Solution A - Site A35

Recommended improvement to address street flooding along Brooks School Road.
Site A35

TC3

Issue

Water ponds on Brooks School Road north of Fall Creek Road (A35).

Recommended Improvement

The same potential solutions as described under TC1 were investigated for this issue.  Based on the goals and performance criteria established for this Master Plan (Chapter 4) as well as limitations at the site, it is recommended that a short reach of the edge of the road be regarded to allow water to flow off of the road and into the road side swale.  (Solution A) The damaged asphalt could then be patched.  The estimated cost of this alternative is $3,000.  (Site A35)

Schematic illustrating a hybrid ditch.
Solution B - Sites A33, A34

Recommended placement of hybrid ditch to address street flooding along 106th Street.
Sites A33, A34

TC4

Issue

Water ponds in the turn lane and path near 106th Street and N. Windermere Boulevard (A33 & A34).

Recommended Improvement

The same potential solutions as described under TC1 were investigated for this issue. Based on the goals and performance criteria established for this Master Plan (Chapter 4) as well as limitations at the site, it is recommended that a hybrid ditch be constructed in the strip of ground between the road and the path.  (Solution B) A34 could outlet to the west at the subdivision basin in the fence line. A35 could be directed to the Windermere Boulevard street inlet structure. Additional survey would be required to confirm that available grades exist for an outlet. After the improvement has been made, the pavement and path could be repaired.  The estimated cost of this alternative is $12,000.  (Sites A33, A34)

TC5

Issue

Water stands at Landover Lane and Hawthorne Ridge intersection due to repaving (A3).

Recommended Improvement

The same potential solutions as described under TC1 were investigated for this issue. Based on the goals and performance criteria established for this Master Plan (Chapter 4) as well as limitations at the site, it is recommended that the asphalt be patched and the seam sealed to prevent ponding water. The estimated cost of this solution is $500.  (Site A3)

TC6

Issue

There are approximately 30 single family residential structures in the Luxhaven and Lakeview neighborhoods that are in the floodplain of Fall Creek as determined by an overlay of the existing flood maps with an effective date of February 19, 2003 and the 2009 aerial photography. 1% annual chance flood depths range from 1 – 5 feet. All but 1 or 2 of these structures are also located in the floodway. One structure appears to be located in the floodway but on high ground above the BFE. This structure may or may not have been constructed in violation of the Indiana Flood Control Act if it is a residence. These neighborhoods are not safe areas in which to live during a flood (BR14-BR43).

Recommended Improvement

Due to the size of the watershed, flood control projects are not feasible methods of providing protection to these residences. Since these areas are not currently within the corporate limits of the Town, but are in the zoning and planning jurisdiction, the Town and County should work with FEMA and willing homeowners to explore opportunities for houses to be retrofitted or be relocated out of harm’s way utilizing funding available from various FEMA programs. (Sites BR14-BR43)

TC7

Issue

County Park building floods (Geist Park on Florida Rd north of Fall Creek) (BR45).

Recommended Improvement

This structure is a shelter house so damage from flood waters should be minimal as long as nothing is stored in the shelter that could be damaged by flood waters.

TC8

Issue

Water stands in the ditch (106th Street and Geist Road) (F12).

Recommended Improvement

Riprap placed in the small ditch at the southwest corner of the intersection has rolled and is blocking flow from reaching the culvert under 106th Street.  The riprap should be removed so that the ditch can be made slightly larger and trapped sediment can be removed.  The riprap can then be replaced without blocking flow.  This improvement is small enough that it could be accomplished manually with a shovel.

TC9

Issue

The approximate Zone A delineations for Thor Run and Geist Reservoir appear to have erroneously included high ground in the floodplain and not included some areas that are in the floodplain.

Recommended Improvement

Several structures in the approximate Zone A along Geist Reservoir and Thor Run appear to be included erroneously in the floodplain. The delineation could be corrected by completing a revision to the Approximate Zone A delineation and submitting the data to FEMA for revision of the map. The cost of this study would be approximately $5,000 for each of these streams for a total of $10,000.  (FIS Delineation Issues)

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