Fairfield’s eroding creek banks a threat to roads and utilities

Residents asked for input on possible Pleasant Run Creek watershed issues.

FAIRFIELD — Fairfield city officials are asking residents for assistance in identifying concerns and problems within the Pleasant Run Creek watershed that could lead to future mitigation projects.

The end goal is to have a project that would stabilize and slow, if not stop, erosion along a portion of the Pleasant Run Creek, which runs across the city of Fairfield and into the Great Miami River just west of Waterworks Park.

The city has published an 11-question survey on its website, fairfield-city.org.

The survey includes questions about whether residents have tried to prevent water-related issues, and if they have any green infrastructures, like gardens or bioswales. Residents can also share issues and concerns.

Pleasant Run Creek’s eroding banks have a large source of sediment and associated materials after it enters the Great Miami River. Its water eventually makes its way to the Ohio River, Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico, according to the city’s Ohio EPA grant application.

Remediation efforts would also protect public assets such as roads, utilities and other critical infrastructure. Eroded creek banks could shift the ground, leading to shifts under roadways where some public utilities are located. Shifting ground could compromise water mains, gas lines and stormwater conduits.

The Ohio EPA awarded Fairfield a grant to develop a strategic plan to identify remediation options. The survey is part of that strategic planning process, which costs $10,000. The Ohio EPA is funding most of the planning project, last year awarding the city with a $7,500 grant. The remainder is Fairfield’s local match requirement.

“The purpose of the grant is to identify at least one project eligible for future EPA construction funding,” said Public Works Director Ben Mann. “Our intent is to pick one good project near Creekside Park, where access is feasible and additional easements needed are minimal.”

Mann said they had looked at the creek in its entirety before examining a few sections, but mostly it was the part close to the Great Miami River where the most water collects and gets the most turbulent.

Fairfield had performed a watershed assessment, including identifying and scoring all the Pleasant Run Creek branches, looking at factors like bends, erosion levels and proximity to schools and parks. He said creek bank erosion is probably

Watershed