Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Engineering

TO:	David L. Corliss, Cynthia Wagner, Charles Soules
FROM:	Matt Bond
Date:	August 22, 2011
RE:	Yankee Tank Dam/Lake Alvamar Easement

Please include the following item on the City Commission Agenda for consideration at the August 23, 2011 meeting:

Project History.  The Yankee Tank Dam (Structure No. 24) or more commonly referred to as Lake Alvamar Dam was reclassified from a low hazard dam to a high hazard dam.  This reclassification was not due to structural deficiencies.  The reclassification was due to the construction of K-10 Highway, Clinton Parkway and the recreational facilities located immediately downstream.  Several stakeholders including the City of Lawrence, Douglas County, the Wakarusa Watershed Joint District No. 35, the Kansas Department of Transportation and the property owners identified in a special assessment benefit district have been working to provide the local match for federal funding of the rehabilitation of the Yankee Tank Dam.

Project Details: In conjunction with the redesign of the dam the Watershed District has requested an easement (refer to attachment) for the construction as well as the operation and maintenance of the improved flood water retarding structure.  It should also be pointed out that the City has allowed higher release rates with regards to stormwater runoff within the Lake Alvamar Watershed.  The regional detention provided by Lake Alvamar allows for smaller detention basins on individual parcels upstream of the dam.

Project Funding:  The total reconstruction cost is nearly $2 million.  A federal earmark of $1 million has been secured for this project.  Discussions regarding a local match for this project have been on-going since April, 2010.  A funding agreement between all parties was approved last fall.  It should be noted the City’s financial obligation is applicable only on the commencement of the dam rehabilitation project and annexation of the lake and adjacent properties into the City of Lawrence.  The financial break down as per the agreement for the project is detailed as follows:

City of Lawrence	$75,000
Douglas County	$50,000
Property Owners (through special assessment district)	$180,000
Kansas Department of Transportation	$150,000

The remaining costs would be the responsibility of the Wakarusa Watershed District, the owner of the dam facility.  These costs include all costs associated with all land rights needed for the Project as well as any design and construction costs above those listed above. The District would assume all risks and receive the benefits related to the project. 

As previously noted, City involvement includes the requirement that the dam facility be annexed into the City of Lawrence.   A separate action on this agenda initiates this process.  A further stipulation of City funding includes that the easement elevation for the Watershed District be modified to correspond with the final design of the proposed dam height and emergency spillway elevations.  This would help to alleviate the encroachment of the residents along Burning Tree Court upon the existing easement.  A letter map of revision (LOMR) is requested to accurately reflect the FEMA Floodplain and address the Burning Tree Court easement concerns.  The watershed district has provided information to initiate the LOMR.  

Action Request.  Staff requests approval of the requested easement from Wakarusa Watershed Joint District No. 35 for Dam, Spillway, construction, and removal of barrow materials in connection with the operation and maintenance of a flood water retarding structure designated as Structure No. 24.