Retention Ponds Keeping Neighborhoods Safe From Floods

Monday, May 7th 2007, 10:29 am

By: News On 6

More than 20 years ago, residents of the Mingo Creek area faced a damaging and deadly flood. Fifteen inches of rain fell in just two days. Many in the neighborhood were forced to evacuate, and five people were killed. The News On 6â€™s Steve Berg reports that with retention ponds now in place, residents no longer have to worry when the rain starts to fall.

Blanche Mathews lived here during the infamous Memorial Day flood of 1984.

"It was horrible," said Matthews. â€œWe had to completely fix our carpets and buy new ones all again. The water was nearly ankle deep, past the cars when we drove out."

Mingo Creek was notorious for flooding. Besides moving the houses, Tulsa began an ambitious flood control program that now is the envy of the nation. The 10 year, $140 million project includes a chain of 23 floodwater detention areas that double as parks. Matthews says they don't worry when it rains anymore.

"No. We never have since," said Matthews.

Mingo Creek used to flood with as little as four inches of rain. On Monday, we've had about three inches, and there have been no problems so far.

For more information on the city of Tulsa's stormwater management plan, visit the city of Tulsa's website, www.cityoftulsa.org.