Corby Pond Project Update
The Corby Pond Green Project began a few weeks ago with goals to improve water quality, reduce combined sewer overflows by increasing water detention and ultimately providing a much-needed renovation to the surrounding park area. This project was identified and approved to meet the 2019 Administrative Order on Consent required by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Environmental Protection Agency.
The scope of the improvements include removing silt from the pond, diverting two streams which flow directly into the combined sewer towards the pond improving aquatic habitat, reconstructing the overflow structure, separating surrounding storm water inlets from the sewer and directing piping to the pond and rebuilding the west and north banks to cure erosion problems. After all the work is completed, the area of storm water run-off capture will increase from 48 to 338 acres while the water volume storage contained in the pond will increase from three acre-feet to over 18 acre-feet. Smart technology will control water levels within the pond prior, during and after storm events to minimize flows into the combined sewer at the pond’s outlet. A previous wetland pilot project north of this area has proven this technological promotes and maintains natural habits for many species.
The order of work has already started which includes the Missouri Department of Conservation removing fish from the pond and placing them into other area lakes and rivers and draining the existing pond. Once emptied, dredging of silt from the pond will occur over the winter months allowing for contracted retaining wall work to begin in spring 2021. The design was completed by the city’s engineering division and much of the construction work will be accomplished between parks and public works staff. The work within the project scope will be completed by late summer 2021.
