Townsend Park Watershed Improvements

Townsend Park Watershed Improvements
Phases 1-3

Project Updates

Update Date: 03/22/2024

Reminder: When using the trail within the project area, please keep to the path on areas where grass is not yet established, including pets and bicycles.

Progress

Remaining work:
  • Seeding has been completed. We will watch closely to see what areas need touched up towards the end of spring. Many areas have started to sprout.
  • Tree planting will take place this spring as well.

Traffic Impact
Trails will be closed during tree planting as this will require the use of large equipment.

Project Overview

Description
This project aims to improve the speed with which water is conveyed to Townsend Pond from the neighborhoods upstream. This will help reduce flooding and water flowing outside of easements.

Location
Phase 1 is located within the greenbelt located upstream from Townsend Park Pond, between 19th St SW and Stonegate Ct SW.
Phase 2 is located in and around the Townsend Park Pond Forebay.
Phase 3 is located in and around Townsend Park Pond.

Townsend Park Watershed Improvements

Purpose
Townsend Park was acquired by the City of Altoona along with the old Townsend Family home in 2018. The home is in the process of being renovated into the City’s Senior Center. The pond and surrounding green space will become a City park. Before it can become a park, however, some improvements need to be made to the pond, its forebay, its dam, and the upstream storm sewer system. These improvements will be split into 3 phases, the first of which will begin spring of 2023.

  • Phase one improvements will include upsizing of upstream storm sewer pipes located in the green space south of 19th St SW and Stonegate Ct SW as well as adding a large culvert under 6th Ave SW. This phase will also include improvements to the pond located to the east of the east Stonegate Ct SW cul-de-sac and it will convert the existing dam overflow from a pipe to an earthen spillway. The focus of this phase of the project is to prevent water from pooling on private property outside of existing stormwater flowage easements during storm events and to prevent flooding of homes should a 100-year storm event occur.

  • Phase two will include the dredging and armoring of the Townsend Pond forebay, which functions as a silt trap to prevent silt from entering the main pond.

  • Phase three will include the expansion and dredging of Townsend Pond and repairs to the dam.

Timeline
Phase 1 construction is underway.
Phase 2 is currently in design. Construction is anticipated to begin 2025 or 2026, depending on budget constraints.
Phase 3 will follow phase 2 by a couple years.

Budget


Expected Traffic Impacts

Road Closures
Phase 1 has closed a small segment of 6th Ave SW.
Phases 2 and 3 should not involve any road closures.


Detour Routes
The detour route will utilize 21st St. SW, 3rd Ave. SW, 17th St. SW, Ashwood Dr., & 19th St. SW.

Lane Closures

Sidewalk & Trail Closures
All sidewalks and trails within the project area are closed and will remain closed until construction is complete.


Public Information & Notifications

Public Information Meetings
If you would like to receive regular project updates via email, please contact Dakota Taylor at dtaylor@altoona-iowa.com to be added to the list.



Point of Contact
Questions regarding this project should be directed to:
Dakota Taylor
515-967-5136 ext. 197
dtaylor@altoona-iowa.com