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Work at Reed Landing
 The Milo Creek drainage system failed in 1997, affecting the towns of Wardner and Kellogg. A Presidential disaster declaration soon followed, and a multi-agency effort ensued to solve the drainage problem and to protect the towns. According to Jerry Cobb, Panhandle Health District, measured increases in local children’s blood lead levels were observed following the flood and correlated to the flood-borne contaminated sediments. The design for this entire project was estimated at over $12 million dollars to construct and was overseen by the State of Idaho Bureau of Disaster Services. EPA contributed $2 million to the construction fund for this project, matched by the State of Idaho Department of Environmental Quality with $200,000.
The Reed Landing portion of the Milo Creek project installed a 48" pipeline across an area owned by Mr. Robert Hopper of the New Bunker Hill Mining Company. In the design, however, structural problems with the landing were pointed out, but could not be addressed due to funding limitations at the time. Also, property owner concerns regarding the impact of the project limited the State’s ability to fully address the Reed Landing area. The pipeline put into place on the landing also depended on overflow being handled by a box culvert. After the design was complete, this box culvert was understood by the EPA to be in a state of disrepair, which would not safely allow overflow to be conveyed past the landing. The landing could in fact pose a safety hazard by way of flooding and also lead exposure to the downstream communities of Wardner and Kellogg. EPA and DEQ through the Army Corps of Engineers then began an alternative analysis in the fall of 1998 to correct this deficiency and began design efforts in the winter/spring of 1999. Construction began late in the summer of 1999. The Reed Landing drainage/stabilization project was completed in February, 2000.
 | This view looking downstream from Reed Landing shows the lower stilling basin under construction. This basin is designed to slow the water down once it has dropped over the Reed. |
 | This photo shows the stilling basin below Reed Landing, with the landing to the south. |
 | This photo shows the cutoff wall that separates the stilling basin from the 48" pipeline. During low-flow events, this structure will send all water through the pipeline. During high-flow events, or when the pipe is blocked for any reason, this structure will divert flows to the concrete overflow channel constructed across Reed Landing. The stilling basin, on the left side of the photo, is designed to hold sediment and debris coming from the upper Milo Creek watershed, preventing this material from going into the 48" pipeline. |
 | This photo shows the trash racks constructed above Reed Landing to hold debris back out of the stilling basin. |
 | This view north from just above Reed Landing shows the bridge being constructed across Milo Creek. |
Finished
Looking north down the new open channel from the Reed Landing. | 
Looking north down the new open channel from the Reed Landing. |
Looking south up the open channel to the Reed Landing | 
Trash racks installed at the mouth of the new open channel |
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Point of contact: Debra Sherbina
E-Mail: sherbina.debra@epa.gov
Phone Number: (206) 553-0247
Last Updated: 09/01/2006
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