Local News

Ten Mile Creek: A Ten Mile Problem

LANCASTER (CBS 11 News) ― Cleanup is underway in southern Dallas County. Lancaster was one of the hardest-hit cities in yesterday's downpour. Much of the flooding was caused when heavy rains sent Ten Mile Creek flowing over its banks.

The rain raised the level of the creek so much that water was sent rushing into nearby houses. CBS 11 News captured video Tuesday of a high-water rescue to save one female resident and her dog. The pictures showed that water was nearly up to the window seals on the house.

With the floodwaters again comes the controversial issue of who should 'fix' the creek.

Resident Earnest Manning said he has had enough. Ten Mile Creek once again sent floodwater and debris into his house.

"I am very frustrated and I don't know what to do," he said.

Manning is like many neighbors who live along the creek. They want to know what the city is going to do to keep it from overflowing its banks in the future.

"We need help and the city is not reaching out to help the homeowners," said Manning.

In July of 2004, Ten Mile Creek overflowed after torrential rains fell on Lancaster. The flooding then was far worse than yesterday's events. Many neighbors believe the city needs to alter or shore up the creek.

But city officials say it can't for good reason. It doesn't own the creek.

Lancaster Assistant City Manager Opal Mauldin-Robertson said, "Ten Mile Creek is a waterway that a majority of it runs along private property. The city is not able to go onto private property and alter or do any type of other work to the creek. For any individual or private property owner to do work on the creek, it requires authorization from FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers."

In other words, it's a catch-22 for both neighbors and the city. City officials say some residents have exaggerated the problem, arguing that the creek has overflowed only twice in four years.

In order to fix the problem, the city would have to buy the property along Ten Mile Creek and right now that is not feasible or economically possible.

The high water caused by rain Tuesday is no comparison to the flooding in July of 2004, but that fact gives residents little comfort now.

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