Braeburn burn first step in fixing Batavia flooding problems

The first step to fixing stormwater flooding problems in the Braeburn North subdivision is a $10,500 controlled burn of nearby Braeburn Marsh in northwest Batavia.

It's a relatively small step, compared to the scope and price of the real fix - removing underwater vegetation and built-up sediment, for an estimated $500,000.

That figure stunned Batavia aldermen discussing a contract for the burn at a city services committee meeting last week.

In recent years, homes in the neighborhood have started to flood, as sewers and detention ponds overflowed. Engineers discovered that the marsh, which is supposed to take the water, has lost a foot of storage area since it was created nearly 20 years ago. Invasive cattails are mostly to blame. Above the water line, they impede water flow to McKee Creek, especially when trash catches on the stalks. Below, the stalks and other nonnative vegetation degrade and turn in to sediment. People have also tossed landscaping waste in it.

Aldermen learned that the marsh should have had some maintenance clearing over the years, and that it would be wise to plan burns every three years or so in the future, according to city engineer Noel Basquin.

The city will pay for the unbudgeted burn out of money which hasn't been spent this year and was earmarked for other drainage projects.

Officials don't know where they are going to find the $500,000 for the rest of the work. They are talking to Kane County and the Kane County Forest Preserve District about chipping in money.

Alderman Eldon Frydendall wondered whether the city should even go ahead with another, $42,000 contract, for engineering services related to the project, since it doesn't know what it will end up doing overall.

Mayor Jeff Schielke said the engineering should be done, however, so the city is ready to do the work whenever money is available, much like it was ready to go on Wilson Street resurfacing this summer when federal economic stimulus money became available.

"If we don't spend it, we'll spend it on overtime helping people with flooded basements." said Alderman James Volk said of the cost to fix the marsh.

The city council is expected to vote on the marsh burn contract in October.