Troy Ostler of Civco Engineering recently made a presentation to the Vernal City Council of a UDOT funded storm drainage study. The study explores how flooding in Vernal can be mitigated during summer months when the irrigation water and storm water can exceed the capacity of the storm drainage system. Ostler explained several options to handle flooding including separating the storm water and irrigation, installing a pipe large enough to handle both, or building underground retention basins around the current system. The cost of the options varied but were estimated between $2 million and $3 million dollars. Vernal City Manager Quinn Bennion commented that the project should be a shared responsibility between UDOT and Vernal City and that the City does not have funds for the project so it will need to be a long term goal, possible approaching the CIB Board for funding at some point.
