Flooding in Madison
History

   Almost everyone in this room remembers the Flood of '93 in Madison.   Even though we cannot predict the future, people are worried about another flood coming through Madison.  To get a good look at flooding in Madison, we will look at the events that took place in early July, 1993.

    The rains began to fall around 4:30 a.m. on July 3rd, and by the time it was over, approximately six inches of rain were recorded at various places in and near town.  A second storm added another 0.80" about 12 hours later.  The area had been fairly saturated by rain in the days and weeks before the flood.  The creek system could not handle all of the water coming off the hills and into the creeks and Lake Herman.  The force of the water took out bridges and flooded basements.  Not only did the water flood into basements, but the sewer system could not handle the excessive pressure and many people had raw sewage back up into the basements.  Thankfully no lives were lost, but damages to public and private property were estimated to be over one million dollars.  There were about 500 families affected by the flood in a direct way, and even more indirectly.

    As you watch the video, look at the force of the water as it flows past the houses and down the creek.  Look for familiar places around the town of Madison, and how high the water was at this time.  Also notice how much water is around when we get an aerial view of the flooding.

Flooding in Madison
Finding Solutions Worksheet

   In the past year, the people of Madison have voted to construct a dam north of town to help hold back the floodwater.   What I would like to know is (a) your feelings and (b) a family  member's feelings on the following questions.

1)  Is the construction of the dam the best solution to the flooding problem?  Explain your answer.

(a)

(b)

2)  What are other solutions besides the dam?

(a)

(b)

3)  Is there a flooding problem in Madison (Yes, No)?  Explain your answer.

(a)

(b)

Flooding in Madison
Results

1.  Is the construction of the dam the best solution to the flooding problem?

24 - Yes        48 - No

2.  What are other solutions besides the dam?

37 - Clean out and widen the creek system
17 - Do nothing
9 - Build up the banks of the creek
8 - Buy out flood property and move houses out
7 - Add a diversion channel around Madison (and more creeks)
3 - Let sloughs and wetlands come back instead of draining them
2 - more dams

3.  Is there a flooding problem in Madison?

21 - Yes

-Because the creeks need to be cleaned
-Had some last spring, but not every year
-Only happens in certain years
-Due to snowmelt in the Spring

55 - No

-Freak of Mother Nature
-Not a problem if the creeks were kept clean
-Only once in a 100 years or 1000 years event