Here is a link to the page on the NOAA website that shows river levels in Nora. There are very helpful descriptions of the flood levels at the bottom of the page.
http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=ind&gage=nori3
The following email was written by Neil Bloede, a board member of the Butler Tarkington Neighborhood Association:
“several people in the community recently learned that the Corps filed a permit to construct in a floodway from Friedman Park to the Rivi. Part of the permit is to clear almost all of the trees and vegetation along this stretch of the White River. This is a unique area because it is not technically represented by a neighborhood group like BTNA, MKNA or Rocky Ripple and I am concerned these homeowners do not understand what is about to happen and the impact the deforestation will have on the ecology of the river. Both BTNA and Rocky Ripple have declined to take a formal position on this section of the levee construction because it is out of our technical boundaries.
Therefore, I wanted to pass this information along to you in the event that you might know some property owners that live over there that might want to collect signatures and submit a petition to DNR and force a public hearing on the tree clearing along this section of the river. It takes 25 signatures from people in the affected area. The “affected area” is one mile radius from the construction site. I am outside of this area, but I’m sure that 25 people in the area north of the canal and south of Kessler (or even Warfleigh) would gladly sign this once they understand what is about to happen.
Unfortunately, we have some information that the issuance of the permit is imminent so this signature collection and submission of the petition would have to be done very quickly, maybe even this week. We have heard that they must have the trees cut down by April 15th in order to prevent the Indiana brown bat from nesting in the area.
Again, I am passing this along because people should have an opportunity to comment on public projects at a hearing and this project should be fully vetted before it permanently alters the landscape of our community. BTNA is not officially opposing the project, but it is always best when the community gets to use all available opportunities for providing input.
I have attached a link to the DNR info about the permit request and a draft copy of a petition that you could use.
http://www.in.gov/apps/dnr/water/query/dnr_water_permit_query?strFolderSubType=FW&lngFolderSeqNmbr=26947&request=FullRecord
I have copied Bart Herriman, a Rocky Ripple resident, who has been very involved in the flood wall efforts and we would be willing to help coordinate submission of the petition to DNR once it is completed.”
From Rebuild Indy, Department of Public Works (DPW):
INDIANAPOLIS NORTH FLOOD DAMAGE REDUCTION PROJECT PHASE III: SECTION B PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE
Thursday Feb. 7, 2013, 5-7pm
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 6050 N. Meridian St. (Parish Hall)
The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and DPW will hold an open house to share details on the upcoming contract to construct an earthen levee beginning at Kessler Blvd., extending south 2,700 feet. There will be no formal presentation, so residents are welcome to attend at any time. Corps and City staff will be available to answer questions during the open house. In the event of inclement weather, please call 327-2378 for updates.
The White River is at 7.3 feet at the 82nd Street bridge near Nora. This is classified as “near flood stage”. The river level is expected to continue to go down.
Here is an excellent website if you want more information:
http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=ind
Good evening everyone. As a follow-up to last night’s alert, I just wanted to let everyone know that the town of Rocky Ripple has moved from a state of “Flood Watch” to “Flood Warning.” According to NOAA the following has been recorded at the Nora monitoring station:
“…FORECAST FLOODING INCREASED FROM MINOR TO MODERATE SEVERITY…
THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR
THE WHITE RIVER NEAR NORA.
* AT 9:00 AM MONDAY THE STAGE WAS 16.0 FEET.
* FLOOD STAGE IS 11.0 FEET.
* MINOR FLOODING IS OCCURRING AND MODERATE FLOODING IS FORECAST.
* FORECAST…THE RIVER WILL CONTINUE RISING TO NEAR 16.8 FEET BY MONDAY
EVENING. THE RIVER WILL FALL BELOW FLOOD STAGE LATE WEDNESDAY
MORNING.
* AT 16.0 FEET…MANY HOMES EXPERIENCE BASEMENT TO FIRST FLOOR
FLOODING NEAR WHITE RIVER AT 116TH STREET AND AT RAVENSWOOD. RIVER
EDGE ROADS FLOOD.”
As noted yesterday, it is not predicted that Rocky Ripple will experience flooding. Nevertheless, all citizens of this area should remain both vigilant and prepared. If you should see signs that water is either percolating through or flowing over the levee system around Rocky Ripple, don’t hesitate to notify Robert Tomey at 317-374-3270 or myself, Brad Barcom, at 317-730-3156.
Also, please be advised that river currents are very dangerous at this level and that children should be kept away from the river at all times.
Thanks for your time and consideration,
Brad Barcom
Rocky Ripple Town Council President
Good evening everyone.
With the ground saturated and heavy rains experienced north of Rocky Ripple, we’ve had several people inquire about the river water levels and whether we are in danger of flooding. The National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) has stated that we are currently in a “Flood Watch,” but that we could end up with a “Flood Warning” before all is said and done. As of right now, NOAA has predicted the following at the Nora monitoring station:
“THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR THE WHITE RIVER NEAR NORA.
* UNTIL WEDNESDAY EVENING.
* AT 11:00 AM SUNDAY THE STAGE WAS 12.8 FEET.
* FLOOD STAGE IS 11.0 FEET.
* MINOR FLOODING IS OCCURRING AND MINOR FLOODING IS FORECAST.
* FORECAST…THE RIVER WILL CONTINUE RISING TO NEAR 15.9 FEET BY
MONDAY EVENING. THE RIVER WILL FALL BELOW FLOOD STAGE LATE
WEDNESDAY MORNING.
* AT 16.0 FEET…MANY HOMES EXPERIENCE BASEMENT TO FIRST FLOOR
FLOODING NEAR WHITE RIVER AT 116TH STREET AND AT RAVENSWOOD. RIVER
EDGE ROADS FLOOD.”
According to the NOAA’s predictions, people in Rocky Ripple should have no flooding, but it’s not a bad idea to be prepared in the event that it does. We will, however, continue monitoring the situation and notify the town in the event further action is required.
For more NOAA flood information, please go to http://rockyripple.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ad15075436e621ba94edfd1f1&id=554e425701&e=2e04407e1a
For more information on how to protect yourself in the event of a flood, please visit http://www.floodsmart.gov
Sincerely,
Brad Barcom
Rocky Ripple Town Council President
