Townsend Park
Watershed
Improvements
The neighborhoods east of Townsend Park in Altoona have experienced flash flooding since they were constructed in the early 2000s. This project improves the conveyance and storage capacity of the stormwater management system to address these challenges.
The project watershed is situated on the southern edge of Altoona, IA. It is a 214-acre subwatershed of Little Fourmile Creek, which flows into Fourmile Creek and then into the Des Moines River. Opportunities for significant reductions in release rates, improvements in water quality, local flood mitigation, ecological uplift, and aesthetic enhancements within this watershed were identified in a technical analysis prepared by RDG Planning & Design and Short Elliott Hendrickson (SEH). As a result of this study, the City of Altoona initiated work for phased watershed improvements.
Phase 1 was completed in Fall 2023 and included improvements to Ironwood Pond, Venbury Plat 17 East Basin, Venbury Plat 17 West Basin, and the rear-yard conveyance areas between these basins. The primary intention of this phase was to limit localized flooding by increasing the capacity of the storm conveyance network, deepening dry detention areas and improving small-storm control and water quality in Ironwood Pond.
Phases 2 and 3 will include improvements to Townsend Pond and the forebay, the last and largest piece of the “treatment train” serving the Townsend Watershed. Townsend Pond was constructed when the surrounding area was rural and not optimized for urban stormwater management. Lack of long-term maintenance, recent urbanization, and predicted development in the watershed necessitate improvements to Townsend Pond for stormwater management and community access. On-site signage, trails, and fishing nodes along the improved pond will enhance experiential learning opportunities hosted at the adjacent Townsend Community Center.