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The Intergovernmental Stormwater Committee's current work to restore impaired stream reaches will reduce both flooding and sedimentation in the Hollidaysburg area and downstream communities. The Beaverdam Branch upstream of town and Brush Run at the Sylvan Hills Golf Course had been altered in such a way that flooding had increased, but action is being taken to restore these streams to a more natural state by stabilizing their banks and making their floodplains accessible so that the velocity and volume of downstream floodwaters are reduced.
In addition to the corrective actions planned by the Intergovernmental Stormwater Committee, local municipalities should adopt ordinances prohibiting development near streams and along floodplains in order to prevent future increased flooding and damage to structures.
More impervious surfaces lead to greater stormwater runoff and higher floodwater velocity, resulting in more damage to downstream properties and increased erosion.
Common sense regulations to limit impervious surfaces and development, along with stream restoration projects as envisioned by the Intergovernmental Stormwater Committee, will go a long way to reduce the impact of the increasing severity of stormwater events in our region.
Stan Kotala
Altoona