10th Street Dike Project

UPDATE - 7/1/2008 - After an executive session, the Matamoras Borough Council returned to public session and voted to sell the material stock pile located near the end of the runway at Matamoras Airport Park. The material stockpile will reportedly be sold to the owners of the Hampton Inn project - in Westfall Township for the sum of $5,000.00.

We (Emergency Management) strongly oppose this move and will not just let this project die. The Council's decision however, is a major setback for this project. We believe that we may need to obtain as much as $250,000.00 more in funding than originally anticipated.

Presently, we are seeking support from the Department of Environmental Protection, US Army Corps of Engineers, Penn DOT, Governor Rendell’s office, and the Pike County Commissioners. As recently as July 9, 2008 Governor Rendell signed legislation to provide a minimum of $100,000,000.00 in new funding for flood-control projects in communities hardest hit by frequent and devastating flooding. We believe that portions of the Borough of Matamoras clearly qualify for such flood control measures.

We will continue to pursue any avenue of funding, cooperation, and support for the flood control dike project. We strongly believe that this project will help improve the safety of the homes in the south eastern portion of the borough.

UPDATE - 11/12/2007 - Matamoras Borough met with PADEP and the borough's engineer is compiling the remaining items to obtain the DEP work permit. As soon as the permits are issued, work will commence by hiring a contractor and the earthwork will begin. The fill material that is stock piled for use on this project all came from the borough water main project - as excess fill. Rather than our material being sold elsewhere, the borough requested this excess material from the contractor. This saved a large part of the expense for purchasing material to complete this project. Timeframe for completion depends on when the DEP permits are issued. For the time being, we are simply waiting for these permits to be issued.

Please feel free to contact the Emergency Management Office if you have any questions.

We have provided a selection of photos from the area. Our primary goal is to respond to the outpouring of concern from residents affected by the flooding, particularly after 2006. Our main goal is to construct a protective barrier in an attempt to prevent future localized flooding in the 10th street area and to try and prevent scenes such as those shown below. These photos depict flooding which occurred in the various flood events in 2004, 2005, or 2006.

The Matamoras Borough Council and the Westfall Town Supervisors along with representatives from Penn DOT have held meetings on the dike project and in cooperation with McGoey, Hauser, & Edsall Consulting Engineers P.C., construction plans have been prepared and submitted for permit approval. Several on site meetings with the Army Corps of Engineers, DEP, and Pike County Conservation have helped to generate the construction documents. The following items are a sample of the construction drawings and aerial photos.

The following photos taken in July, 2006 show the dike project work area, before the fill stockpiling began.

The following photos taken in September, 2006 show the beginning of fill stockpiling. This material was excess material generated by the borough water main project and donated as clean fill by the contractor.

The following photos taken in May, 2007 show the continuing fill stockpiling operation. At this point, construction drawings have been submitted for permits. Work can be planned and continue once these permits are issued by the DEP.

If you have any questions concerning this project, please call or e-mail us.

Phone (570) 491 - 5177   /   E-Mail - matamorasema@yahoo.com