Ames Flood Mitigation Tree Clearing Begins On Thursday

Press release from the City of Ames:

March 11, 2021

The Ames City Council approved a project Tuesday to remove trees along Ioway Creek approximately 2,000 feet each direction of South Duff Avenue. Because Story County includes endangered or threatened bat species territory, the trees must be felled before the end of March to ensure bats would not be present in the project area. The City has contracted with RW Excavating Solutions, LC, for tree removal beginning on Thursday.

Larger cottonwood trees being removed will be used to construct wood pallets. Other larger hardwood trees being harvested will be used to make items such as furniture and wood trim. The remaining trees will be stockpiled until they are removed as part of a flood mitigation project later this year.

The tree clearing is part of channel grading necessary to complete conveyance improvements within the channel to lower flood levels in the South Duff Avenue area. This flood mitigation project is funded with a $3,747,450 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant and local match of $1,249,150.

This press release was produced by the City of Ames. The views expressed here are the author’s own.