Lambertville wants $145,000 of the nearly $200,000 it would take to install flood gates, a portable pump and a valve to protect property owners from Ely Creek flooding.
By: Linda Seida
LAMBERTVILLE The city is asking the Federal Emergency Management Agency for $145,000 to help finance flood remedies for Ely Creek that are expected to cost nearly $200,000.
John Miller, an engineering consultant who is a certified floodplain manager, has recommended flood gates, a portable pump and a valve to protect property owners from the creek’s flooding. The anticipated total cost of the project is $197,000 so Lambertville will have to come up with the rest if the grant is approved.
The grant application required the inclusion of a cost-benefit analysis. The analysis must show that for every dollar spent in flood mitigation at least an equal amount would be achieved in avoided future damages.
According to Mr. Miller’s analysis, the proposed flood remedies for Ely Creek would save more than $4 in future property damage for every dollar spent on mitigation.
"It’s crucial that you do that benefit-cost analysis," Mr. Miller said.
If the affected area had included only residential properties, the benefit-cost ratio would not have met the criteria, coming in at approximately half a dollar saved for every dollar spent.
"It’s really the commercial buildings that put us over the top," Mr. Miller said.
High water from the Delaware River causes backflow into the creek, an unnamed tributary Mr. Miller refers to as Ely Creek because of its location. It borders Ely Field at the base of Music Mountain.
About $350,000 in property damage resulted in flooding from the creek during two floods over the last two years. Ely Creek flood waters affect about 100 people, including 29 residences, numerous businesses and tenants.
The stream originates along Route 179 and York Street. It makes a sharp bend near the intersection of York and North Franklin streets and passes behind Lambertville Public School.
It flows under homes fronting North Union Street, running along the Diamond Silver Complex, eventually running under the Delaware and Raritan Canal and on to discharge in Island Creek and the Delaware River.
The application to FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program was submitted last week to the state Office of Emergency Management, which administers the funds. However, it cannot be submitted to FEMA until the city’s hazard mitigation plan is in place.
The mitigation plan is almost ready for submission, according to Mr. Miller.
"We’re getting very close," he said.

