July 25, 2022 update-

During the Council meeting, the City Council awarded a $1,271,624.40 contract to Heavy Constructors to complete the reconstruction of the 7th Street crossing.  The new crossing will include a separated bicycle path and will allow water to flow uninhibited while allowing residents to cross the creek.  If the rain event exceeds a 10-year flood, the water flow would top the crossing, however it is designed to withstand the increased flow and when the water recedes would return to normal operations (it would not wash out as in the past).  During 50 year and 100 year flood events, residents would need to cross at either the new 9th Street bridge or the Junction Avenue bridge.  The new engineered crossing would not increase the upstream base flood elevation.  Construction is anticipated to begin this fall and is scheduled to be completed by July 31, 2023.  The City received a grant from FEMA and the state to pay for 85% of the cost or $1,080,880.74.  The City will pay the total cost of construction and then eventually be refunded the grant funds after the completion of the project.  The remaining $190,743.66 will be paid through the City's Capital Improvement Fund.  The long awaited crossing had to be approved by FEMA before construction could begin or else the City would have had to pay the entire cost of the construction.

UPDATE - On February 22, 2022, The Director of Planning and Permitting provided a brief update to the City Council.  In January, FEMA requested additional information about the plan for a low water crossing.  The City will not be allowed to proceed with any type of crossing until after FEMA has determined if they will provide funding. FEMA has up to 18 months to make its decision.  If the project is approved for funding, FEMA could cover up to 75% of the cost.  The State could cover up to 10% of the cost, and the City would need to cover the balance.  The most recent cost estimate is approximately $900,000.

UPDATE - On January 4, 2021, the City Engineer provided project updates to the City Council and the public.  Link to the presentation.  At this time, a consultant has developed a scoping plan and estimate for the construction of a low-water crossing.  The plan would use 3 concrete boxes (each measuring 18 feet wide).  A low water crossing would still flood in a 100-year storm but would remain possible most of the time.  Low water crossings usually have gates so the crossing could be closed in the event of flooding.  This plan will meet the "no-rise" requirement for this location in the floodway.   The City is now waiting to hear from FEMA as to a possible mitigation grant to help cover the cost of the crossing.  The total estimated cost is $732,575.  The City is hopeful that FEMA would cover 75% ($549,431) of the cost.   

7^th Street Crossing - 

This crossing washed out during two flooding events in the summer of 2019.  The crossing has been closed since the damage occurred.  City staff asked FEMA to include this damage in their official disaster declaration.
  In order to qualify for at least partial FEMA reimbursement, all FEMA requirements must be met.  Engineers have been evaluating the damage and will soon make recommendations for repairs.  In order to meet FEMA requirements for work in a floodway, regardless of FEMA financial support, a no-rise certificate must be obtained prior to any work taking place.  The process to obtain this certificate is ongoing.  In this case, the construction of a low-water crossing may be an option.  A low-water crossing would allow traffic to use the crossing except during high water flow.  During periods of high water, the crossing would be closed on both ends with a gate while the water flows over the crossing.   The budget will depend on FEMA reimbursement.  Updates will be posted as they become available.

March 9, 2020 update - 

During the post-flood engineering analysis, it was determined that the existing box culverts at the crossing were undersized.  Additionally, when they were originally placed, they were not included in the hydrology model which is required to be approved by FEMA and the Army Corps.  These culverts have since been removed. 

In order to make the necessary repairs, the crossing will need to have a larger culvert system and it will need to be properly engineered and FEMA approved.  This means a complete hydrological model of the creek and the crossing must be completed and submitted to FEMA.  The Council previously approved the engineering contract to complete the hydraulic analysis on Oct 7, 2019.  So far, the consultant has completed the survey and the initial culvert sizing.  The next steps will require a Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) to be submitted to FEMA.  If approved by FEMA, the new mapping will take place, and engineering based on the new mapping can be completed (LOMR).  If approved by FEMA, the crossing can be rebuilt.  This process is very time-consuming and the best estimate for FEMA approval is 2021.

October 19, 2020 update to City Council - 

The City Engineer provided the Sturgis City Council with the following updates:
 Description - During the Memorial Day weekend of 2019, major flooding caused damage to the 7th Street crossing of Bear Butte Creek. As a result, the crossing was temporarily closed. Eventually, the crossing was opened for one lane of traffic. On July 4th, another significant flooding event occurred, which further undermined the culverts and road. This flooding event resulted in permanent closures of the crossing. In addition to the damage at the crossing, the intersection of 7th and Woodland Drive and approximately 400' of bike path also received significant damage.
 These events were Presidentially Declared disasters, as such the City has been working with FEMA to seek partial reimbursement for the damages and to make necessary repairs. 

Work that has been completed:
 •    Reconstruct the intersection of 7th Street and Woodland Drive
 •    Remove the box culverts at the 7th Street crossing of Bear Butte Creek
 •    Grade the Bear Butte Creek embankments (north & south side) from the Post Office to 7th Street
 •    Repair approximately 400' of bike path along Woodland Drive east of 7th Street.

Black Hills Trails has roughed in a single-track trail on the north side of the creek from 7th street to 9th street for temporary access. If FEMA will not permit the crossing to be replaced, then the City will plan on building this portion of the trail to meet City bike path standards. 

Discussion:
 During the post-flood engineering analysis, it was discovered that when the crossings were constructed, they were not approved by the Army Corps or FEMA and were not included in the required hydrological study of Bear Butte Creek. The City, therefore, is not legally able to reconstruct the crossing without obtaining approval from these entities.  In order to receive approval, the City must complete a hydrological study that demonstrates that the crossing would not increase the amount of property upstream that is included in the flood plain. 

In order to gain approval from these federal agencies, the crossing will need to have a low-water crossing constructed that would be flooded during major events. The crossing will also need to have a larger culvert system than the previous crossing and it will need to be properly engineered and FEMA approved. The only other option would be the construction of a bridge. It would be required to be slightly larger than the recently completed 9th Street Bridge which had a total cost of $1.2 million.

A complete hydrological model of the creek and the crossing must now be completed and submitted to FEMA. The Council previously approved the engineering contract to complete the hydraulic analysis on Oct 7, 2019. So far, the consultant has completed the post-disaster survey and the initial culvert sizing. A follow-up survey will now be able to begin since the banks have been repaired. The next steps will require a Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) to be submitted to FEMA. If approved by FEMA, the new mapping will take place, and engineering based on the new mapping can be completed (LOMR) and the crossing can be rebuilt. This process is very time-consuming and the best estimate for FEMA approval is 2021. 

Note: FEMA will not allow any increase or rise of the upstream flood plain as a result of the construction of a structure. Thus, if the consultant cannot design a solution that meets FEMA's requirements, the City will not be allowed to replace the crossing.