News & Events

RENCI at UNC Asheville Hosts Swannanoa Flood Risk Management Project Public Open House on February 24

February 15, 2011

The Swannanoa Flood Risk Management Project invites the public to attend a drop-in open house to be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, at the Renaissance Computing Institute (RENCI) at UNC Asheville Engagement Site, located in the Grove Arcade in downtown Asheville. The event is free and open to the public.

The Swannanoa Flood Risk Management Project is a cooperative effort of the City of Asheville, Buncombe County, the Town of Black Mountain, and the North Carolina Division of Water Resources. The Project is completing an investigation of flooding and its resulting damages in the Swannanoa Valley and the possible means of reducing damages.

During the open house, project staff will present information about recommended flood damage reduction and flood warning and awareness projects. Among the recommended projects to be highlighted are the rehabilitation and modification of the Lake Craig Dam at Azalea Park, floodplain restoration and stream stabilization near the Biltmore Avenue Bridge, and installation of audible flood warning alarms and informational signs at key locations in the Swannanoa Valley. There will also be a presentation about the economic impact of flood damages and how those damages are likely to continue to increase if action is not taken.

City staff, members of the Flood Damage Reduction Task Force, members of the project team from Brown and Caldwell Environmental Engineers, and RENCI staff will be on hand to answer questions and take comments. In addition, a representative of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will discuss an ongoing federal project that will result in engaging the Corps in recommending and implementing flood control projects.

The drop-in open house format will allow interested residents to come and go as their schedule allows. However, project staff will give brief presentations at 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30. The UNC Asheville Community Engagement Site is located in Suite 116 of the Grove Arcade, on the O’Henry Avenue side of the building, at One Page Avenue, Asheville, North Carolina, 28801.

For further information on the open house, please contact:

• Nina Flagler Hall, Community Engagement Coordinator, RENCI at UNC Asheville Engagement Site, at 828/225-6575 or nhall@unca.edu.
•  McCray Coates, Stormwater Services Manager. City of Asheville, 828/232-4567 or MCoates@ashevillenc.gov.
•  Marshall Taylor,  Brown and Caldwell Environmental Engineers, 828/226-6986 or mtaylor@brwncald.com.