SALINA, Kan. — The cost of removing a log jam from the Smoky Hill River in Salina will be much higher than expected due to subsequent events that added more debris to the jam in the area of Bill Burke Park.
On Monday, Oct. 13, the Salina City Commission will consider a contract amendment with Diehl Enterprises to increase the original $452,351 contract including contingencies to an amount not to exceed $1,212,169.75. This is to cover additional removal costs related to increase tree debris resulting from two storm events: one in July and one in September.
The June event produced a log jam that was 350 feet in length. Additional logs combined from flood events July 23, July 26 and Sept. 10 added another 550 feet to the jam. September’s flooding also washed out part of a rock equipment pad constructed as part of the debris removal process.
While the original June event did not qualify for federal disaster assistance, the two July events did meet guidelines for FEMA assistance, and a preliminary assessment is currently in progress on the September part of the log jam.
For now, funding will come from the remaining budgeted contingency funds for 2025, combined with General Fund reserve balances that likely will require a budget amendment before the end of the year.
