By Sheila McLaughlin
Enquirer staff writer

Communities along Polk Run are on their own to ease flooding from the creek.

That's the conclusion of a recently completed federal study that said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers won't be looking at any further fixes.

Corps officials said the study determined that millions of dollars could be spent building retention basins and constructing dams along Polk Run and the Terwilliger's Run tributary to the west to slow the flow of water. But that would do little to resolve flooding and erosion.

Corps officials suggested the communities tighten restrictions on development to include a greenbelt along the 10-mile creek in Hamilton and Warren counties.

The findings will be discussed with residents at a 7 p.m. meeting July 15 at Montgomery City Hall, 10101 Montgomery Road

Bob Nikula, Montgomery's public works director, said the communities, which formed a task force to investigate flooding solutions, are committed to easing the problem despite the Corps' decision.

"We're going to continue to meet and look at options that we have in front of us. Unfortunately, Symmes and Montgomery are kind of at the bottom of the funnel. By the time it gets to us, there's not much we can do," Nikula said of the rate of water flowing through the creek.

"The people that really can do something that's going to have any kind of long-term implications or improvements would be those up in the headwaters and areas that are not yet developed."

He said the task force of local and county officials will look into the possibility of tightening restrictions for storm water runoff, and planned to research what grants might be available for construction of retention ponds and other measures.

The Corps agreed to study ways to ease flooding after a "100-year" rain in July 2001 dumped up to 10 inches of rain on the area in two to four hours, causing Polk Run to jump its banks.

The flooding caused more than $10 million in damage across Greater Cincinnati and killed three people, including a teen in Symmes Township who was swept away in Polk Run while trying to escape a trapped car on Kemper Road.

The flooded creek also washed away several back yards in the Montgomery area, exposing drainage pipes and a sewer line.

The corps' study looked at three options, but in each the financial benefit didn't justify the cost. The projects were:

• A retention basin and dam on Polk Run at Montgomery and Seven Gables roads in Symmes Township that would cost $1.8 million.

• A retention basin and dam on Terwilliger's Run at Blong Road in Symmes that would cost $2.4 million.

• Widening Polk Run near Wal-Mart in Symmes Township to 12 feet and constructing baffles to reduce water velocity at a cost of $547,000.

Communities could expect $100,000 annual flood damage without any remedial construction and only a maximum of $6,000 less annually with any of the projects, the report said.

Louise Stinchcomb, who recently fought a new Symmes Township subdivision because of its proximity to Polk Run, said the county's cooperation is key to solving the flooding because they control storm water restrictions for new developments.

"We have to get some regulations and we have to get some greenbelts. The townships use the county regulations, so I really think the county's got to show the leadership on it," Stinchcomb said.

If you go

To ensure adequate seating, Montgomery officials ask that anyone planning to attend the July 15 meeting on Polk Run Creek should RSVP at 891-2424, or register on the city's Web site at www.montgomeryohio.org. The location could be changed depending on the expected turnout.

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E-mail smclaughlin@enquirer.com