By Correne Martin
Flood mitigation work has recently changed the landscape significantly along Mondell Hill, just east of Prairie du Chien beside Highway 27. Trees were removed, grading is being done, and two detention basins and a bypass storm sewer are being built. The hope is for this municipal project to slow rainwater and debris flowing down from the bluffs, thus alleviating runoff flood damage when heavy rain events occur.
According to Matt Muchow, professional engineer and on-site manager for Vierbicher Associates, crews moved the earth for a north bypass, from Webster Street to Godden Pit, over the past few weeks. Last week, work consisted of mostly grading along Highway 27.
“We just started making basin 1 [last] week,” Muchow said. “We’ll put the trash rack and pond outlet in, in about a week. The grading for basin 2, by Jackson Street, and the trash rack and pond outlet there will also be done soon.”
