Residents Near Clark Creek Looking For Solutions To Flooding

Sauk County Residents Still Dealing With Water In Basements

Posted: 5:09 pm CDT August 27, 2008Updated: 7:13 pm CDT August 27, 2008

Sauk County residents are still recovering from this summer's flooding.

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Those living near Clark Creek near the Baraboo River are hoping a solution comes before winter.

Residents living at the bottom of that creek said once freezing temperatures hit the area -- water along the flooded areas will turn into ice, making it a dangerous environment to live in, WISC-TV reported.

On Wednesday, Department of Natural Resources and Sauk County officials explored possible options to help alleviate residents who are still getting water into their basements.

With Clark Creek's 300 foot drop in elevation and Jay Kasten's home at the bottom of that creek -- a season's change may bring new problems.

"You know you're going to hit warmer days during the winter and you get runoff, so this will be a continual buildup of ice, and that's what we're worried actually, like ice dams forming in your yard and eventually that water will continue to funnel it self into our homes," said Kasten.

Just a few inches under the ground, officials found water moving through the dirt and they said that kind of saturation demands a very complex solution.

"All that water that went up there and did infiltrate through the soil is still moving through the springs, and getting down here. Things just aren't draining," said Sauk County Conservationist Joe Van Berkel.

"We're working closely with the state," said Dolph Diemont, a Federal Emergency Management Agency coordinating officer. "FEMA is engaged in its effort, and I think were making progress, were looking at options."

Residents met with local state and federal leaders on Wednesday to brainstorm possible options to help alleviate the chronic problem.

FEMA is currently attempting to add Clark Creek as part of a study the U.S. Geological Survey is conducting in the state, WISC-TV reported.

County officials said a federal study like that could definitely unlock some answers for residents.

"What we're looking at here is to make sure people are in safe housing first. But then the source of the problem has to be identified. And I'm looking at from my perspective, what can we do as FEMA while we're here?" said Diemont.

Kasten hopes that answers come before the winter months.

"You can only live in a camper so long so if the weather gets cold, without a furnace or anything else in the house, I'm going to have to end up renting or something," said Kasten.

Residents have voiced a huge interest in property buyouts, but local leaders said finding funds to match state and federal buyout funds are tough with so many residents interested in the buyout option.

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