Project Scope: We removed roughly 1,400 cubic yards of yellow flag iris mat from the ditches surrounding Island Drive. Its pretty yellow flower is deceptive but yellow flag iris is invasive and toxic to both humans and livestock if ingested.
Benefit: Improved flow and capacity
Aquatic Treatments via Aerial Drone
Date: August 2025
Project Scope: Aquatic weeds love our ditches! By September, you'll see us removing weeds using excavators. To stay ahead of it, we also use aquatic herbicides to keep the vegetation under control. This year, we hired an agricultural contractor to apply the herbicide using a drone. We're hoping it is a huge success!
Benefit: Maintenance and efficiency
3rd Avenue Motor Replacement
Date: July 2025
Project Scope: We installed a new 300 horsepower motor on Pump No. 2 at our 3rd Avenue pump station. The new motor is a TITAN large frame vertical motor built for heavy industry, manufactured and tested by US Motors in Mena, Arkansas.
Benefit: Maintenance and reliability
Oregon Way Pump & Motor Rebuild
Date: June 2025
Project Scope: We pulled Pump No. 1 at our Oregon Way pump station to have it rebuilt. The pump is being dismantled by a local repair shop that specializes in process equipment for municipal water and waste water applications.
Benefit: Maintenance and reliability
Reynolds Pump Station Trash Rake
Date: June 2025
Project Scope: We're currently designing an automated hydraulic rake and conveyor system to remove aquatic weeds at our Reynolds Pump Station. This month, we awarded a purchasing contract to buy the equipment and next year we will hire a qualified mechanical contractor to install it in the summer of 2026.
Benefit: Maintenance and reliability
Hazard Mitigation Grant
Date: January 2025
Project Scope: We received advanced assistance funds from FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant program to conduct a Benefit Cost Analysis for an emergency generator. We are currently compiling a report to help demonstrate that by providing a dedicated stand-by generator at our main pump station, we can prevent catastrophic flood damage in the community. Going through these planning steps will help us secure additional grant funding to purchase and install the generator itself.
Benefit: Emergency Readiness
Indy Way Motor Rebuild
Date: August 2024
Project Scope: We pulled the motors from our Industrial Way Pump Station and sent them to a local motor shop to be inspected, cleaned, tested, reconditioned and balanced. Both motors were rebuilt and re-installed by the end of September so we were ready to go when the rain came!
Benefit: Maintenance and reliability
Pump Station Transfer Switch
Date: July 2024
Project Scope: We installed docking stations at two more of our pump stations. Each one has a manual transfer switch that works with our new diesel generator so we can keep pumping water if there's a power outage. Five pump stations done, one to go!
Benefit: Emergency readiness
Island Drive Walking Trail
Date: June 2024
Project Scope: We removed overgrowth, trimmed trees and removed stumps to improve the existing walking trail and make it wide enough to fit our equipment so we can improve Ditch 15.
Benefit: Maintenance and community amenity
Aquatic Herbicide Treatment
Date: April 2024
Project Scope: We used our airboat to treat Ditch 6 with an aquatic herbicide that is approved by EPA to manage invasive aquatic weeds. We've found this to be much more effective at controlling stringy vegetation than trying to remove it using an excavator. We don't give out free rides but we will give you a thumbs-up and a smile as we go by!
Benefit: Maintenance and improved flow.
Emergency Generator
Date: March 2024
Project Scope: We bought a 500 kW trailer-mounted generator that can be towed to any of our pump stations. If there is a power outage, the generator is big enough to run two pumps at our smaller stations, or one pump at our larger stations.
Benefit: Emergency readiness.
Ditch 6 Cleanout
Date: July 2023
Project Scope: We built a lower bench across from the 30th Avenue trail head so we can remove cobbles that wash down from the hills above Glenwood Drive without closing the walking trail.
Benefit: Improved Maintenance.
Mini Excavator Purchase
Date: June 2023
Project Scope: We recently purchased a mini excavator with a brush head attachment so we can get into some of our smaller drains more easily to mow and knock down blackberries.
Benefit: Improved Maintenance.
Pump Station Transfer Switches
Date: January 2023
Project Scope: We recently installed docking stations at two of our pump stations. Each one includes a transfer switch so we can quickly connect a mobile generator and keep pumping water during a power outage.
Benefit: Emergency readiness.
Ditch 15 Improvements
Date: August 2022
Project Scope: We are improving Ditch 15 between Branch Creek and Schneiter Drive to handle runoff generated by new development. This is a naturally occurring slough, thick with brush, blackberries, undergrowth and stumps.
Benefit: Improve flow and system capacity.
New Excavator Purchase
Date: August 2022
Project Scope: We bought a new excavator and collaborated with a local machine shop to increase its reach and build a custom grapple we can use to grab weeds, clean ditches, shape banks and maybe even make us coffee in the morning. We're always looking for way to work smarter not harder!
Benefit: Functional upgrade and improved maintenance.
Main Pump Station Gear Upgrade
Date: August 2022
Project Scope: We contracted with a local electrical contractor to replace the main switchgear and motor control center at our Main Pump Station to provide arc-flash protection. The new "smart" equipment is fully integrated into our SCADA systems so we can monitor and operate our system remotely.
Benefit: Safety and reliability enhancement.
46th Avenue Walking Trail
Date: July 2022
Project Scope: This project began as an effort to remove massive amounts of yellow flag iris. To complement the City's plans to improve 46th Ave, work continues to build an access road that will eventually connect to Windemere Park and be finished as a public trail.
Benefit: Maintenance and community amenity.
Coal Creek Levee Paving
Date: June 2022
Project Scope: We paved the levee from Coal Creek to our main pump station. It keeps the dust down and is available for public use. Please park where it won't block access and pick up after pets!
Benefit: Maintenance and community amenity.
Main Pump Station Culvert Repairs
Date: August 2021
Project Scope: Routine inspection identified cracks in a large concrete box culvert, and pinholes in a 6-ft metal arch culvert, at and under our Main Pump Station. We hired a local contractor to make structural crack repairs and re-line the culvert with a thick epoxy coating that has 50-year life.
Benefit: Infrastructure improvement.
Motor Reconditioning - Main Pump Station Motors #1 and #8
Date: September 2020
Project Scope: Our motors are statically and dynamically tested annually to check for vibration and signs of deterioration in the bearings and windings. We pulled two motors and sent them out to have the bearings replaced and a gearbox reconditioned after detecting higher than normal vibration.
Benefit: Equipment readiness and reliability.
Ditch 10 Benching
Date: July 2020
Project Scope: We contracted with a local contractor to bench Ditch 10 at Schneiter Drive. Benching provides better access to get equipment in alongside the ditch for vegetation removal, and reduces the potential for bank sloughing.
Benefit: Improved access and maintenance.
West Side Highway Storage Facility
Date: July 2019
Project Scope: In the event of a flood, a temporary flood wall will be constructed across West Side Highway to close the Cowlitz River levee near Fishers Lane. We contracted with a local builder to construct a secure storage building and lay-down area to house flood fight equipment and supplies.
Benefit: Emergency readiness.
Ditch 12 Tree Removal
Date: April 2019
Project Scope: We partnered with Weyerhaeuser Real Estate Development Company to fall (64) 120-ft tall cottonwood trees along Memorial Park Drive. Several trees had trunk rot or beaver damage and posed risk to nearby homes, high voltage power lines and CDID#1 conveyances.
Benefit: Safety and reliability enhancement.
36th Avenue Trash Rack
Date: November 2018
Project Scope: We partnered with the City of Longview to build a trash rack on Cutoff Slough where twin 60-inch culverts require frequent maintenance to remove blockages. The new trash rack protects the culverts, screens out debris and provides access for maintenance equipment.
Benefit: Improves flow and water quality.
Before
After
48th Avenue Debris Boom
Date: October 2018
Project Scope: Heavy rainfall causes thick mats of aquatic weeds to stack up in front of the 48th Avenue pump station until choked flow shuts off the pumps. To improve operation, we built a debris boom and landing area to mechanically remove weeds upstream of the pump station.