More land bought for flood basin

Two properties, totaling 264.7 acres, for the proposed Eagle Creek flood basin south of Findlay were purchased Tuesday by the Maumee Watershed Conservancy District Board of Directors for $7.1 million. The price represents a $27,000-per-acre appraisal for the land west of U.S. 68 in Eagle Township. State funds will pay for the land purchase. The basin is intended to reduce flooding in Findlay. Tuesday's purchase, along with 416 acres already bought for $11.25 million, keeps the basin proposal on schedule for construction in 2023, said Tim Mayle, director of Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development. An additional 100 acres is planned to be purchased, at the same $27,000-per-acre price, in the first half of 2022, Mayle said. The purchase is awaiting completion of surveys, appraisals and reviews by state officials. Including all of the land purchases, engineering and construction, the flood basin will cost an estimated $60 million, Mayle said. So far, the state has contributed $30 million in grants. More funds will be sought from the state this year and possibly in subsequent years as the cost of the project becomes more certain, he said. The Eagle Creek Storage Basin is part of a broad flood reduction strategy for Findlay and Hancock County and led by the Maumee Watershed Conservancy District. Parts of the Blanchard River in Findlay also are being widened to increase flood plain capacity. One part of the widening, west of the Norfolk Southern railroad tracks and west of Cory Street, is nearly complete. The other section of the river to be widened is on each side of Main Street between the Norfolk Southern and CSX railroad tracks. That phase is expected to start next year. Together, the two projects will cost $11 million, to be funded with Hancock County sales tax revenue. In addition, the planned Norfolk Southern bridge widening over the Blanchard River will further reduce flood levels. A $7 million federal grant will pay for about 90% of the cost. Local officials are hoping to get the railroad to pay the rest of the cost. Otherwise, the remaining costs will be covered by county government. The bridge widening work is expected to start after July 1 and be completed in 2023. In total, the flood reduction measures will reduce the 100-year flood level by about 36 inches, Mayle said. Wilin: 419-427-8413