Where to even start?

A report released to the Hartley City Council on April 12 detailed what many local residents already know too well.

Design engineer Wes Boyer, of Bolton & Menk, reviewed a report on flooding issues compiled by Curry-Wille & Associates, of Ames. The report highlighted problematic flood-prone areas in town and also outlined improvements needed to alleviate issues.

According to Boyer, the city needs to have the report on file in case federal funding becomes available for flood mitigation in the future.

"This checks the box to get federal money [if it's available]," he said. "A lot of these are really large efforts that wouldn't be economically feasible with just one shot."

The report noted Hartley's existing storm sewer system is undersized and inadequate to convey even minor 2-5 year storm events without creating flooding issues for local residents. Past problems have consisted of impassable city and state roads, water in residential homes and basements, flooding in other low-lying areas, and issues with flooding at the city's wastewater treatment plant. The most flood-prone area generally occurs in the residential housing area south of Highway 18 between North 2nd Avenue West and North 1st Avenue East.

The report found the existing storm sewer system in the most affected area is "drastically undersized," for not only the urban area around it, but also for the 140-plus acres of farmland and urban development upland that gets funneled through the already overloaded system.

"The flooding issue is further worsened due to no overland flow opportunities and numerous obstacles that impede surface flow such as houses, buildings, and city streets," the report stated.

Five target areas were identified: Flooding between North 2nd Avenue West and North 1st Avenue East, flooding at the city wastewater treatment plant, localized flooding between Highway 18 and 4th Street Northwest, localized flooding at the corner of South 3rd Avenue West and 2nd Street Southwest, and storm sewer sedimentation issues at 1st Avenue West.

The report offered various solutions to each issue that drastically ranged in scope and price. The most expensive options, like replacing the storm sewer along 2nd Street Northeast, would cost more than $4.7 million, while less costly options, like reducing sedimentation in the storm sewer at 1st Avenue West, was estimated at $6,000.

Boyer believed completing improvements to the city's catch basin located east of Dyno's Convenience Store could be a cheaper option that provides immediate flood mitigation. The area collects water during periods of heavy rainfall and gradually releases it over time. However, the basin can overflow when Hartley is overwhelmed by precipitation.

"I feel like the city isn't maximizing the potential of that pond," Boyer said. "I feel like there is definitely some areas that could be improved upon there."

The report will be kept on file for future reference. The last major flooding event in Hartley occurred in 2018.

"There are so many areas [to improve], it's almost like where do you start?" said Superintendent of Public Works Jaron Benz.