After completing the new dam this summer, the city is taking a look at more paths that water takes to get into and out of our city.

Spring Creek is next on the agenda, even though $130,000 was approved in the spring for a new culvert and walking path beside 9th Avenue NW.  The culvert was washed out twice during spring flooding 2011 and 2012, then in 2013, the city had to dig out the culvert a third time to allow for a threat of high water again.

City Engineer Josh Mickleborough says staff changes kept them from getting to that this summer and upon further review, they realized they need more information to do the job right the first time.

"The last time that this was meaningfully reviewed was 1978." said Mickleborough who joined the city staff earlier this year, pointing out the infrastructure has been neglected. "I conducted site visits myself and saw trees that were six or eight inches in diameter growing out of the storm channels."

"It's a bit broader than just the pathway crossing. We want to get an assessment so we can do proper planning and design and budgeting."

Another major factor are new developments to the west including Iron Bridge, that cause more run off to enter the creek than even just a few years ago.  Instead of the water being absorbed into the soil, it's now channelled down the asphalt and concrete into the storm sewers.  

The study is going to cost an addition $85,000.