On October 6th at 6:30 PM, representatives of Gravity Drainage District 1 (GDD1) held an outreach meeting at the Denham Springs-Walker Branch Library to discuss ongoing efforts and projects in District 1.
Opening information
The presentation began with an overview of GDD1’s purpose, which is to acquire drainage and flood prevention works and right-of-way for canals and ditches. It’s also their duty to acquire equipment and facilities necessary to construct, maintain, and operate outlets for the waters of the District and to prevent flooding.
GDD1 has over 20 employees, including managers, general foremen, operators, boom mower operators, crew leaders, mechanics, truck drivers, and secretaries.
Cody Lea, General Foreman, and Paul Whited, Foreman, were given special recognition for more than 25 years of service with GDD1.
Statistics
According to the presentation, Livingston Parish’s Gravity Drainage No. 1 area covers about 56 square miles of land and properties, with the main channels measuring 65 miles long.
GDD1 oversees 102 total miles of earthen channels, 22 total miles of subsurface drainage, and 35,830 acres of watershed area. That represents 18% of Livingston Parish's ditches and canals.
Additionally, 41% of the Livingston Parish population is located in Drainage District 1 with 59,500 residents, 56 neighborhoods with over 20,000 homes, 5,000 structures, 14 schools with over 8,000 students, and 13 government buildings.
GDD1 also maps more than 113,400 linear feet of residential neighborhoods, 604 mapped ponds totaling 1,025.73 acres, and 898,660 linear feet of waterways.
Progress so far
GDD1 has completed or installed a Livingston Parish GDD1 Watershed Analysis, GIS System, Stream Gauges, GDD1 App, and Capital Improvement Plan.
The District originally contracted the Watershed Analysis in 2015 with Quality Engineering & Surveying, LLC. The purpose was to conduct an in-depth analysis of all the watersheds within the District in order to improve drainage and minimize the potential for flooding during rain events. The analysis began in the Grays Creeks area since there were concerns for the resiliency of the area and its residents.
The GIS System website is used by GDD1 to store information about previous and current projects that include the location of the project, pictures taken from the site visits, drainage analysis reports, and construction plans for proposed improvements.
Stream Gauges are connected to a network installed in September 2018 and report stream level elevation and rainfall totals within GDD1’s area. GDD1 stores all rainfall data online and uses it to determine potential flood areas.
The capital improvement plan includes getting funding and starting projects. GDD1 is currently pending Allen Bayou relief improvements and the Madeline & Fisher Road Diversion Project. Other projects will be focused on the Denham Springs High School STEM Center culvert, LDS ditch diversion, Gray’s Creek bridge replacements at LA Highway 1033 and Scivique Road, Gray’s Creek channel widening from LA Highway 1033 to Forrest Delatte Road, Dixon Creek channel widening from its junction with Gray’s Creek to LA Highway 190, a ditch cleanout on Joe May Road, and channel maintenance as needed.
Completed projects
The representatives then discussed several projects they’ve completed so far in the area, including Clegg’s culvert replacements.
That project included wetland permitting, a topographic survey of the area, drainage analysis of the area to determine potential drainage issues, drainage analysis reports with proposed improvement options, construction plans to install new drainage systems, and field inspections and observations. Estimated construction costs were around $140,000.
Another project focused on culvert replacement on Stephenson Drive. That project included wetland permitting, topographical surveys, drainage analysis of the area, drainage analysis reports with proposed improvements, construction plans to install new drainage systems, and a field inspection with observation. Costs were estimated to be around $60,000.
One project covered Acadiana Avenue’s crossdrain and Lateral improvements, including many of the same surveys and reports. The costs were estimated to be in the $235,0000 range.
Finally, GDD1 also addressed Tara Drive in the Allen Bayou Watershed for an estimated cost of $25,000 and Hermitage Road Crossdrain and lateral improvements in the same watershed for $75,000.
Creating uniform construction standards and specifications helped improve GDD1's work and production by ensuring best management practices for design and materials, establishing and defining minimum construction material requirements, and providing standard details for drainage design within district servitudes for these projects.
Equipment Upgrades
The GDD1 representatives updated on their equipment, noting that recently acquired equipment has improved their ability to access and maintain drainage channels.
GDD1 gained a mini excavator for better access to tight areas and a grapple truck for faster removal of debris and vegetation. They were also approved to seek a new pontoon excavator that will allow crews to work directly within channels and waterways.
Communication with the Community
GDD1 works best with communication and feedback from residents across many areas.
Warnings on encroachment and unauthorized construction in residential or industrial areas will help stop a drainage problem before it starts.
GDD1’s app, LP Gravity Drainage District 1, can help residents report an issue, access the area map, view live drainage data, find answers to frequently asked questions, and use a direct link to Louisiana’s 811 to double-check excavation requests.
Additionally, the GDD1 social media account provides real-time updates and warnings for significant rain events so proper emergency and preventative measures can be taken ahead of time. Future outreach events are also announced through their social media posts.
