The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in partnership with the City of Gallatin will begin construction this year on a major stormwater improvement project at Triple Creek Park aimed at reducing flooding impacts in downtown and other downstream areas along Town Creek.
The project includes construction of a large stormwater berm upstream of Town Creek, which parallels Highway 31E through the city. While the berm is located within Triple Creek Park, its primary purpose is to reduce flood severity in low-lying commercial and industrial areas downstream, including portions of North Water Avenue, Lyons Street and surrounding corridors.
“This project is designed to benefit areas outside the park itself,” City Engineer Nick Tuttle said. “By storing stormwater upstream we allow the timing of that stormwater release to reduce the flooding heights or depths in the downtown area during significant rain events.”
Construction is expected to begin in the first half of the year and be completed during the summer. The project is part of a USACE stormwater initiative focused on Town Creek.
The berm will include a large box culvert structure that allows controlled water flow while temporarily storing stormwater. The project will create approximately 48 acre-feet of stormwater storage in Triple Creek Park, meaning water that would otherwise flood downtown areas will instead be held within the park during peak rainfall.
“This isn’t a project that eliminates flooding entirely,” Tuttle said. “But depending on the storm, it can significantly reduce flood depths in downstream areas. That reduction can make a meaningful difference for homes, businesses, and infrastructure.”
The project will increase temporary flooding in areas of the park that already experience inundation during heavy rain, particularly near the existing softball fields near the park entrance. As part of the project, affected structures and utilities will be flood-proofed.
“Flooding has to occur somewhere,” Tuttle said. “Our goal is to plan for it in locations where it causes the least harm.”
Mayor Paige Brown said the project reflects the City’s responsibility to protect residents and businesses while using public land strategically.
“This is a smart infrastructure investment that prioritizes public safety and economic stability,” Brown said. “We’re using public space to reduce multiple decades of flooding impacts on homes and businesses downstream, and that benefits the entire community.”
The stormwater project also supports future recreational development adjacent to Triple Creek Park. The City has acquired 21 acres next to the park for a planned multi-use complex that would include five new lighted fields, along with bathrooms, concessions, and lighting for the fields. The additional fields would expand the City’s current inventory of five full-size soccer fields increasing opportunities for league play and regional tournaments.
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