The Community Development Board received a mid-project update on the Bozeman Creek Vision Plan during its July 20th meeting, with Assistant City Manager John Henderson presenting draft concepts for addressing flooding, improving water quality, and expanding public access along the creek corridor from Ice Pond Road to I-90. Henderson, joined by Steve Noble and Jim Madden of the community group See Bozeman Creek, outlined 11 emerging concepts that grew from extensive community engagement, including an open house in June that drew 300 to 400 attendees. The lead proposal involves diverting flood flows through Mill Ditch, an existing channel running from Peet's Hill to a wetland near I-90, to function as a flood bypass around downtown during high-water events.
Updated flood modeling from Allied Engineering projects flows around 1,250 cubic feet per second during rain-on-snow events, significantly larger than current FEMA estimates of just over 1,000 CFS. Henderson emphasized this modeling cannot yet be used for regulatory purposes but informs the planning process. Other concepts include expanding the Bogert Park flood bypass, converting Rouse Avenue into a greenway with a daylighted creek, creating a "sponge park" at Beale Park with buried stormwater storage, and developing a new park in front of City Hall. Board members discussed trail connectivity gaps downtown and raised questions about engineering feasibility, particularly regarding stream flow diversion and the cost-benefit analysis of underground stormwater detention versus surface alternatives.
The project targets City Commission adoption by December 15th, with a public draft expected in early November. Henderson noted the City Commission approved $150,000 in recent budget allocations to maintain project momentum through 2027. The team plans additional community outreach at the Sweet Pea Festival on August 8th before returning to advisory boards in September.