Drainage
WHAT IS THE FLOODPLAIN?
A floodplain is the lowland adjacent to a river, lake, or creek.
Floodplains are designated by the frequency of the flood that is
large enough to cover them, for example, the 10-year, 25-year or 100-year floodplain.
Flood frequencies are determined by plotting a graph of the size of all known floods
for an area and determining how often floods of a particular size occur. Another
way of expressing the flood frequency is the chance of occurrence in a given year,
which is the percentage of the probability of flooding each year. For example, the
100-year flood has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year. Most of the known
floodplains in the U.S. have been mapped by the Flood Insurance Administration,
one of the parts of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Copies of all of these
maps for Independence are kept by Public Works. Anyone can purchase flood insurance,
whether their property is in the floodplain or not, so check with your insurance
agent. For floodplain information, call 325-7618 or email
sgreen@indepmo.org.
WHAT IS GRADING?
Grading is any excavating
or filling or combination of both.
Grading may change the contour of the land and may alter drainage.
A permit is required if more than 50 cubic yards of dirt will be moved. The fee
for the permit is dependent on the number of cubic yards to be moved. A permit is
not required for clearing and grubbing which is the removal of trees or other vegetation
only. Call 325-7617 or e-mail tsaale@indepmo.org
WHAT IS EROSION?
Erosion is the removal of soil particles by the flow of water.
Grading and clearing work can
cause erosion. Proper measures are required to prevent erosion. These may include
silt fencing or hay bales. The fee for an erosion control permit is $150 per acre.
For more information, call 325-7617 or e-mail
tsaale@indepmo.org.
Normally, ditches are the homeowner's
responsibility to maintain. Public Works does have a program for re-grading ditches
at the homeowner's request. Public Works does not clean leaves or trash out of ditches
unless they are creating a flooding situation. For more information, call 325-7617
or e-mail
tsaale@indepmo.org.
Public Works Street Maintenance
cleans and replaces crossroad pipes. Accepted storm sewer systems are maintained
by the Water Pollution Control Department. Curbs and gutters are the property owner’s
responsibility to maintain.For more information, call 325-7617 or e-mail
tsaale@indepmo.org.
Property owners are responsible
for cleaning and maintaining driveway pipes. Public Works does have a program for
replacing driveway pipes at the property owner’s expense. Driveway pipes are generally
in the right-of-way, so replacement would require a permit. For more information,
call 325-7616 or e-mail
tsaale@indepmo.org.
To protect your basement from
flooding, the ground should slope away from your house. Down spouts should drain
away from the house's foundation but should not drain onto your neighbor's property!
For more information, call 325-7617 or e-mail
tsaale@indepmo.org.
Septic systems are installed
in areas where no public sewers are available. New lots must be at least 3 acres
for a septic system. A permit ($10) is required for all new systems and repairs
to existing systems. Systems are inspected to ensure compliance with Missouri Department
of Health rules. Permits may be obtained at the Public Works Department on the third
floor of City Hall. For more information, call 325-7618 or email sgreen@indepmo.org.