This information is arranged in a weekly, monthly, and an annual schedule.

From a safety standpoint, all maintenance work should be conducted only during periods of low flow.

Weekly recommended actions

• Action: Inspect and collect entangled trash and other discarded debris (tree branches, excessive vegetation, etc.) from the channel.
  • Reason: This is an important practice, since large stationary debris can redirect the flow velocity toward the creekbanks resulting in excessive bank erosion.

• Action: Inspect and collect entangled trash and debris from in front of storm structures, such as storm sewer pipes, culverts, etc.
  • Reason: entangled debris slows the flow allowing additional debris to collect on these structures further restricting the water flow, possibly leading to a higher frequency of flooding events.
  • NOTE: For bulky and/or wedged immobile articles, notify the Stormwater Specialist of the situation. Removal of privately owned downed trees is the responsibility of the property owner.

• Action: During times of normal flows, examine the water for an oily sheen, colors, excess amount of soap suds, or abnormal clarity/transparency.
  • Reason: If any of these unnatural conditions are observed it could possibly be from an illicit discharge.

Monthy to bi-monthly actions

Maintain Vegetation

• Action: Remove lower board canopy plants and tree saplings.
  • Reason: This practice will provide an increase in sunlight over the recently resided areas, to encourage new ground-surface plant growth.  It is highly recommended remove any trees and other low elevated broad canopy plants from the water elevation to the mid-section of the creekbank. This section of the creekbank experiences waterflow fluctuation, making it highly susceptible to erosion.

Creek Bank Monitoring

• Action: Inspect the creekbank for mild erosion issues (ex. rill erosion as shown below).
  • Reason: By addressing erosion issues during early development, corrective actions won’t require large-scale equipment, making it less expensive to restabilize the area.
  • If major erosion issues are observed, please contact the City’s Stormwater Specialist to discuss qualifying for the Creek Maintenance Cost-Share.

• Action: Remove invasive weeds by hand pulling, mowing, or through use of an aquatic herbicide application.
  • Reason: Invasive plants can easily overtake an area, and depending on the type of plant can result in excessive ground canopy, leaving much of the soil subjected to erosion since much of the area is lacking any type of root system.

Annual recommended actions

Seeding Practices

• Action: During the spring or fall season, reestablish vegetation on bare or poorly establish areas on the creekbank. This can be achieved through reseeding and planting plugs. To assist with determine what herbaceous (non-woody) native plants would thrive in a specific area of the creekbank, please review the “Iowa Riverside Plant Tool”, and for seeding practices, please review p10-11 of the Iowa DNR’s “How to Control Streambank Erosion”.
  • Reason: Keeping a dense vegetated coverage will protect the creekbank during high flows by lying flat, shielding the ground surface from the water’s high velocity that could easily scour exposed soils. 

This program has been developed to provide financial assistance for property owners to perform creek maintenance. The program is intended to help cover the costs of reconditioning the scoured areas, the materials such as rip rap (stone) or plant materials used to stabilize a creek bank, and/or provide free disposal of debris removed from the creek. The goals of the program are to reduce erosion and limit flooding by facilitating proper creek maintenance. Projects may range from debris removal to erosion control and bank stabilization practices. The program has a limited amount of funds available. Comprehensive projects spanning more than one property are often most effective and will be given a higher priority.

The following are the three levels of creek bank rehabilitation projects residents can apply for:

• Hard Armor Reconstruction/Stabilization – Live tree removal (Trees that are impacting the drainage way), reshaping the creekbank, placing rip rap (rock) across the entire creekbank.
• Partial Hard Armor Reconstruction/Stabilization – Live tree removal (Trees that are impacting the drainage way), reshaping the lower portion of the creekbank, placing rip rap 2-3ft above the waterline, and cultivate the mid to upper section of the creekbank prior to implementing seeding and matting practices.
• Stabilization practices – Live tree removal (to open up the area to sunlight) and cultivate the creekbank prior to implementing seeding and matting practices. (Prerequisite- the creekbank must present a stable condition, at a 3.5 slope or milder.

Participate in the Creek Maintenance Program

To Apply:

• Complete the Creek Maintenance Application and include a sketch of the proposed work and attach estimates or quotes you may have.
• Make sure that the application is signed by the property owner(s).
• Email, mail, or drop off the application package to:

Attn: Stormwater Specialist
City of Iowa City
410 E. Washington St,
Iowa City, IA 52240

Conditions

1. The property owner is responsible for the payment of all expenses associated with the work. Upon submittal of paid receipts, the City will reimburse the property owner within 30 days for costs approved by this application.
2. Implementation of an approved project is the sole responsibility of the property owner. The City is not liable for personal injury or property damage resulting from said work.
3. Projects approved for funding carry no implied warrantee by the City. Implementation and maintenance are the responsibility of the property owner.
4. The property owner is responsible for any local, state or federal permits that may be required. In most cases if any permit is required, it will be a local permit that can be obtained from the Neighborhood and Development Services Department (319-356-5120).
5. Free disposal of debris removed from a creek has the following requirements:
   • Place the debris at the curb between the sidewalk and the street.
   • Place all wood in a separate pile from other debris (such as shopping carts and tires).
   • Call three days in advance to arrange for pick up (319-356-5140).

    6. Involve your neighbors. If your neighbors are not a part of the project, at least keep them informed and seek their input before doing the work.