Erosion may be nature’s way of redecorating a waterway, but even people who admire Mother Nature may not be pleased when she washes their back yard or driveway downstream.
Erosion may be nature’s way of redecorating a waterway, but even people who admire Mother Nature may not be pleased when she washes their back yard or driveway downstream.
Russell residents have been dealing with flooding and erosion along Griswold Creek for decades, said Amy Brennan, Chagrin River Watershed Partners director.
Landowners have been taking various measures to stop the loss of their property, some more effectively than others, she said.
When Russell Township Trustees signed grant documents to go to the Lake Erie Protection Fund last Wednesday, they took the first step toward a study and survey of the creek, Brennan said.
The grant provides funds to cover that part of the effort to help landowners along Griswold Creek learn how to stop the water from destroying their property, she said.
“Griswold Creek has a real problem with erosion and flooding. Property owners have spent significant money on stream bank stabilization,” Brennan said.
The CRWP will contract with an engineering firm on the study. Once it is complete, they will work with the township and make recommendations to landowners regarding methods of stabilization that should be more successful than past efforts, she said.
The CRWP has also applied for another grant that, if successful, would provide some funds to assist landowners in putting the recommended changes in place, Brennan said.
The trustees and the CRWP are drafting a plan of attack that should address the outreach part of the project.
“We need to talk with landowners, reach out to folks,” she said.
CRWP personnel will be available to meet with residents who have land along Griswold Creek, if that is how trustees want to handle the process.
Historically, Griswold has been a serious problem at least since the late 1980s, when it flooded and eroded a section of state Route 87 where it meets up with the Chagrin River, Brennan said.
The creek starts as wetlands in Chester Township, but its flooding and eroding habits don’t take over until it travels farther south, she said.
“The primary erosion areas on Griswold Creek are in Russell Township,” Brennan said.
With the signing of the grant documents, a request for proposals to conduct the study and survey can be written and the project will be advertised.
The best time to see the damage the creek has done will be winter and early spring, when the foliage is off the trees and bushes, Brennan said.
The CRWP will communicate with landowners, probably through the mail, explaining the project’s purpose and process, she said, adding meetings will be set up with residents to discuss options.
However, landowners who would like to discuss their particular problems can call the CRWP office at 440-975-3870, Brennan said.
Last Wednesday, trustees were informed much of the paperwork for the grant has been done and a check should be arriving soon to help cover the costs of the survey and study.
Trustee Justin Madden said the trustees will administer one of the grants and the Ohio Lake Erie Commission will administer another.
He added he would follow up with the project.
