Willow Creek Watershed Study
Last Updated: 11/01/2019
Project Description
The City of Madison will be completing a watershed study in the Willow Creek watershed (as shown below). This study will be completed by City of Madison water resource engineers.
The watershed drains to the north to Lake Mendota.
Timeline
There is not a defined timeline for this project. As we create a project schedule, we will post additional information on this website.
Focus Group Meetings
The City of Madison Engineering Division set locations, times and dates for focus group meetings for the Madison Pheasant Branch Watershed. The meetings were requested by community members, and are open to the public, but the conversation will be tailored to gathering more information on flooding issues in the meeting area. If a resident wants to request an additional focus group meeting not on the list, fill out the City’s focus group meeting form . The focus group meetings scheduled are going to look further into the issues that caused flooding in the last few years specific to the meeting area.
The public was encouraged to sign up for these groups as part of the Watershed Public Information Series that happened earlier this summer. However, if anyone wants to attend the focus group meetings and did not sign up during the public information meetings, residents should feel free to attend any of the scheduled meetings in their neighborhood at their designated date and time. The Engineering Division worked with alders, and residents to find a date, location and time that worked for the specific areas.
During the focus group meetings, engineers will meet with groups of residents on site, in specific areas hit the hardest by flooding in the past few years, including the August 2018 flood event. The purpose of the first round of focus group meetings will be to gather flooding information based on residents’ experiences.
The meetings are expected to take one hour, and most meetings will be held outside, rain or shine, in a walk-and-talk format. If rain is predicted, please dress and accessorize appropriately with umbrellas, jackets and proper footwear.
City Engineers or the consultants building the drainage models will facilitate the group. If anyone needs accessible accommodations, or a translator present, please connect with the respective project manager for the watershed, which is located on this page.
The following focus group meetings are set for this watershed:
- Chippewa Drive and Cherokee Drive Greenway, 4-5 p.m., Sept. 5, Nakoma Park, near the intersection of Cherokee Drive and Nakoma Road
- Nakoma Road Ave., 2-3 p.m., Sept. 12, Nakoma Road and Manitou Way at the limestone wall
- Odana Pond, 6-7 p.m., Sept. 12, Odana Hills Park near intersection Milward Drive and Dearholt Road
- Orchard Ridge Valley Park, 3-4 p.m., Sept. 19, Orchard Ridge Valley Park entrance off of Loruth Terrace
Press Release: Watershed focus group dates set for residents who experienced flooding
PDF information about Focus Groups with contact information
Watershed Study Information
To learn more about flash flooding and why we are completing a watershed study in this area please visit: Flash Flooding Resilience Story Map
You can also listen to a presentation about our watershed studies at: Watershed Studies 2019 Audio Presentation
Report Flooding
We would like you to share information about the flooding you’ve experienced. Even if you have reported your flooding to 2-1-1, FEMA, or a City official, we need standardized information to calibrate stormwater models that show existing flooding conditions. Additionally, the flood data helps the City prioritize different flood projects and future watershed studies Please report any flooding you’ve experienced at: www.cityofmadison.com/reportflooding