Echo Lake Sub-Basin Hydrology Study | Community Presentation 09/20/2017
Post-meeting Action Steps for Community Members and Neighborhood Associations
Consider 3 mitigation options and send emails, letters or calls noting your preferences to DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond, Board of Commissioners, and Departments of Roads and Drainage and Planning and Sustainability (see email addresses below) through October. At some undetermined time in future, Commissioners will decide whether to fund mitigation measures using county’s storm water utility fund. Two other flood-prone communities in DeKalb that were also recently evaluated may seek funding from this same fund.
Meeting Conveners
Commissioner Jeff Rader and Staff of DeKalb’s Departments of Roads and Drainage and Planning.
Presenter
Sam Fleming, Dewberry Engineering
Full report to be posted on dekalbcountyga.gov
Presentation
Available here.
Study Purpose
To identify factors that cause repeated flooding at Briarcliff/Briarlake intersection and strategies to reduce flooding frequency due to overtopping of the south and north culverts and Greely Lake (marsh across from Echo Lake) that flow into Echo Lake. It examined impact of flooding and mitigation options on utilities (e.g., 30” diameter water main and gravity sewer under Briarcliff) and transportation (possible road blockage during construction). It did not directly focus on sedimentation into Echo Lake or Greely Lake or other parts of Echo Lake watershed. The study involved extensive site measurements in 2016 and hydrology modeling based on new, preliminary FEMA floodplain maps and estimates about future impervious surface area in watershed.
Key Findings
Echo Lake drains large watershed (> 1400 acres) of which > 12% is impervious surface. South culvert (near Echo Drive) overtops more often (1 in 5 chance in a given year) than north culvert (near Circlewood) (1 in 50 chance in given year).
Three possible flooding mitigation options and cost (which includes cost of any land purchase):
1.
Install 14 barrel culverts under Briarcliff to increase flow from Greely Lake into Echo Lake, install long, low wall along southwest corner of of Briarlake/Briarcliff intersection to block water flow from Greely Lake, but maintain current elevation of Briarcliff. This would reduce flooding by increasing water flow into Echo Lake through culverts and increasing retention capacity of Greely Lake. Would increase flood elevation at Greely Lake by ~ 9”, but this is not likely to increase flood risk of homes south of Greely Lake. Substantial adverse impact on traffic and utilities. Estimated cost: $1.4 million.
2.
Install 5 larger, barrel culverts under Briarcliff to increase water flow from Greely Lake into Echo Lake, install short weir wall on south side of Briarlake to block flow from Greely Lake, and raise elevation of Briarcliff by 3 ft. This would increase water flow into Echo Lake through the culverts and use elevated road to block flow from Greely Lake. Would increase flood elevation at Greely Lake by ~ 1.2 ft, but this is not likely to increase flood risk of homes south of Greely Lake. Substantial adverse impact on traffic and utilities. Estimated cost: $1.57 million.
3.
Rebuild dam on Simmons Lake (behind Lakeside High School) to form “dry retention area” in old Simmons lakebed/ravine (not to recreate Simmons Lake). Small opening at bottom of dam would allow passage of normal stream volume, but during peak flows that otherwise might cause floods, water would back up behind dam, and release very slowly over many days. Option includes low wall on south side of lowest point of Briarcliff to increase retention capacity of Greeley. No impact on utilities and traffic on Briarcliff. Would decrease flood elevation ~ 1 ft in vicinity around Echo Lake and Greely Lake. Would increase flood elevation slightly above Simmons dam, but this is not expected to affect homes near Simmons. 40% expected reduction in peak flows into Echo Lake would also reduce heavy sedimentation now flowing from Simmons Lake and prolong Echo’s ability to serve as retention basis for 1400 acre watershed. Estimated cost: $955,000
Next Steps
County will consider input from community residents, neighborhood associations, and a coalition of local schools that includes representatives of Lakeside High School.
Contact Information for Community Comments —
CEO Mike Thurmond
311CCC@dekalbcountyga.gov
404-371-2000
Commissioners —
Jeff Rader
jrader@dekalbcountyga.gov
District 2 (ELHA’s district)
Kathy Gannon
kgannon@dekalbcountyga.gov
Super District 6
Nancy Jester
njester@dekalbcountyga.gov
District 1
Larry Johnson
larryjohnson@dekalbcountyga.gov
District 3
Steve Bradshaw
srbradshaw@dekalbcountyga.gov
District 4
Mereda Davis
mdjohnson@dekalbcountyga.gov
District 5
Gregory Adams
gregoryadams@dekalbcountyga.gov
Super District 5
Roads and Drainage
Peggy Allen
pvallen@dekalbcountyga.gov
Planning
Andrew Baker
abaker@dekalbcountyga.gov
West Nile Case Confirmed in Brookhaven
A human case of the West Nile Virus in Brookhaven has been confirmed by the DeKalb County Board of Health. (Full Article)
Resources
General Information
Prevention & Control
West Nile Virus Fact Sheet
Controlling Mosquitoes at Home
Summer 2017 Newsletter
Annual Meeting Announcement
Ryan Glenn
Hello, neighbors! Thank you for your patience this summer as we worked through various scheduling conflicts to get our annual neighborhood meeting on the books. Since school is out and vacations have commenced, we have opted to postpone our annual meeting until Saturday, August 26th, to ensure that as many neighbors as possible will be able to attend.
A detailed agenda for our annual meeting will be provided closer to the date; however, know that we have compiled this newsletter in an effort to answer immediate questions pertaining to key issues that will be discussed. If you have additional questions ahead of August 26th, please do not hesitate to reach out to the board at echolake.ga.HOA@gmail.com.
Bylaws Review Update
Gail Anderson
Echo Lake Community Club (a.k.a. ELHA) is approaching a milestone in its history! Two years ago the members voted to have a legal review of our Association bylaws — with the idea of a restatement and update written in legal language that comports with Georgia non-profit association code. This week, after reviewing an initial draft of the document, the board sent its final recommendations to our association attorney, Rebecca Drube, for incorporation into what will hopefully be the final draft of the document.
We were able to make this happen because of the voluntary efforts of ten members. The process began with an initial review of our current bylaws and suggestions from Rebecca Drube; and the selection of a five-member Bylaw Committee (James Lown, Jane Grimmett, Andrew McClintock, John Holbrook, Katy Irwin). After several meetings, the committee produced a comprehensive set of recommendations for the ELHA board. The board met with the committee chair, Jane Grimmett, on March 26th for a special board meeting to review their recommendations. The minutes from this meeting, the committee recommendation document, and our current Association bylaws were recently sent to Rebecca Drube as a basis for the official Amended and Restated Echo Lake Community Club, Inc. bylaws.
After the board receives and approves the final draft, we will make it available to the membership well in advance of the annual meeting. We plan to have our association attorney, Rebecca Drube, on hand at the meeting to answer any questions. Every "member in good standing" will receive a mail-in ballot and will be able to vote for or against the bylaws by a specific date that has not yet been determined. This will insure a quorum of membership voting on this important matter.
Financial Summary
Jill Beasley
Thank you to all the neighbors who have already paid their 2017 Membership Dues. Your support and generosity is greatly appreciated! For those who have not paid, this is a friendly reminder we need your support. We hope you will consider paying ahead of the annual meeting since it is being held later than usual. Payment of Membership Dues gives each household voting privileges which is particularly important this year due to the new Bylaws ballot that will be presented.
Our Membership Dues go toward normal operating expenses necessary to maintain the front entrance, our common property and preserving the lake. Membership Dues are not allocated toward legal expenses for the ongoing property line dispute. These expenses are paid from Capital contributions.
Unfortunately, as of now, the burden of dredging the lake falls on our community. It is an expensive endeavor that takes a large portion of our funds. This year the cost of the dredge will be approximately $30,000. Last year, we budgeted $14,000 for the dredge so we are well short of the actual cost.
Currently, we have collected $18,800 in Membership Dues and have an excess cash carryforward from 2016 of $27,000 – for a total of $45,800 to spend on operating expenses. Our estimated operating expenses for 2017, including the dredge and Bylaws rewrite, are approximately $54,000. So as you can see, we will be short $8,200 for the year.
Membership dues are down $5,400 compared to last year. We have an overall participation rate of 49% — 61% on-lake and 44% off lake. Our Association is voluntary and depends on the support of neighbors to help our community grow and thrive. With more participation, we could make up the short fall this year and reduce the amount of the special assessment. We encourage you to considering renewing your membership, or joining for the first time, to help us accomplish these goals.
Off-lake membership is $200; and on-lake membership is $600. Checks should be made payable to “ELHA” and mailed to the Treasurer at 2545 Echo Drive, along with a completed dues form.
If you are not sure whether or not you have paid your dues, here is the current list of "members in good standing" as of June 2, 2017.
Dredge Update
Michael McKelvey
As indicated in the financial summary above, the estimate for dredging the upper end of Echo Lake and silt traps has approximately doubled to $30,000. We have excess cash from last year that we plan to put towards the overage; however, we still need to raise an additional $8,200 in order to dredge before our permit lapses, and before we incur additional expenses and time delays. We cannot get on the dredging contractor’s schedule until we have the funds in hand for the entire project. This is in keeping with our current bylaws.
During a board meeting on May 2nd, the board unanimously agreed that a special dredge assessment was needed if we are to have any hope of slowing the infill accumulation at the upper end of Echo Lake.
Soon we will ask members and non-members alike to contribute to a special assessment to help raise the funds necessary to complete the last phase of our current dredge. The quality of our environment directly affects everyone’s property values — whether they are an Association member or not. Collections in excess of the needed amount will be dedicated to the depth maintenance of Echo Lake.
Based on the number of homes, we expect the assessment to be approximately $300 for on-lake properties and $100 for off-lake properties. We hope you will consider stepping up to the plate when you receive the assessment notice to maintain the health of our lake, as well as our property values.
Election of New Officers
Ryan Glenn
We will soon be saying farewell to the following officers: Michael McKelvey (President), Gail Anderson (Vice President, Circlewood Road), and Charlie Coulter (Vice President, Echo Drive) — all of whom have served our community with zeal and relentless commitment. I hope you will join me in thanking them for their leadership, dedication, and countless hours of service to Echo Lake.
The Echo Lake Board of Directors nominates the following individuals to fill the expired terms:
President
Doug Grimmet
1 year term
Vice President (Echo Drive)
John Holbrook
2 year term
Vice President (Circlewood Road)
Todd Williams
2 year term
Treasurer
Jill Beasley
1 year term
If you have additional nominations to put forward, please send them to Ryan Glenn at echolake.ga.HOA@gmail.com no later than Saturday, August 12th. All nominations, including those made by the current board, will be presented and voted upon at the annual meeting, which has tentatively been scheduled for August 26, 2017.
Winter 2017 Newsletter
Dredge Update
Once again, we were very fortunate to be able to have the county sanitation department take our dredging spoils for DeKalb landfill cover, thereby saving an estimated $11-$15,000 on removal. They were on site approximately 10 days in September.
We have been put on McEachern’s dredging schedule for March/April for the final phase of our three part dredging project permitted under the timeline. We plan to remove approximately 2,300 cubic yards. The dredge will take 3–5 days. This will be an ideal time to complete dock or seawall repair. We will notify the community prior to lowering the lake level.
The ELHA President, Michael McKelvey, has been in contact with other north DeKalb County lake owners, and there is interest in establishing a coalition of north DeKalb lakes with similar silt infill problems. The consensus being that the strength of a broader base of DeKalb taxpayers would have more influence in pressuring the county to assist with the dredging of private lakes that are being used as public retention ponds.
Financial Report
Financial statements are available for member review through the third quarter of 2016. Fourth quarter results will be posted in the coming weeks. There were no unforeseen large expense variances for 2016, other than the legal expenses which will be addressed at the upcoming members meeting on February 4th.
Overall, HOA participation for 2016 was 59%. Of those who supported the HOA, 73% were on-lake and 53% were off-lake. An appeal for 2017 dues will hit mailboxes (and inboxes) in late February.
Our community was able to collect a total of $1,825 for the Tom Murphy Fire Assistance Fund. Thank you for your generosity and spirit of community to help the Murphy family in their time of need.
Briarcliff Road Frontage
On the evening of December 13, 2016, a vehicle jumped the curb and took out three sections of our new fence along Briarcliff Road. The Viking Fence Company was able to get us on their schedule quickly, and the fence has been repaired. Required were 3-five foot sections, 3 posts, and a new gate post with hinges. The cost was $1,395.00.
Bylaws Review Update
At the 2015 annual meeting, it was agreed that our bylaws needed an update. We are pleased to report that the bylaws review committee has completed its review, and will soon forward the suggested updates to the board. The board will meet in February to review the suggested updates before forwarding them to our HOA attorney for the official rewrite. The attorney will present the rewritten document, along with individual voting ballots for members in good standing, in 2017.
The board would like to thank the following members for serving on the bylaws review committee: Jane Grimmett, John Holbrook, Katy Irwin, James Lown and Andy McClintock.
A special thanks to Jane who chaired the committee.
Save the Date | Lanterns & Libations
Friday, March 10th
7:00–11:00pm
Mark your calendar for the first ever Echo Lake lantern stroll! We will walk from home to home, making three stops for heavy appetizers and socializing.
What to Bring
— Your libation of choice (to last the night)
— Your brightest lantern
— Your walking shoes
If you have any questions, please contact our social coordinators, Andrew and Vicky Soulimiotis, at soulman14@comcast.net or 770-804-1003. More details to come!
Facebook
Please note that the Facebook group ELHA - Echo Lake Home Owners Association and the Facebook page ELHA - Echo Lake Home Owners Association are not official ELHA channels, nor do they reflect the views of the ELHA board.
The ELHA board does not have administrative privileges on these two pages; and in turn, we are unable to control the content. We apologize for any confusion caused by misinformation posted on these pages. Please keep an eye on your email (and on our website) for official ELHA news and upcoming events.
Swan Song
This is the first ELHA newsletter since the untimely demise of the Echo Lake swan that sat proudly atop the neighborhood sign on Echo Drive, so we wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the passing of this iconic creature. Last summer, a limb from the stately oak tree on the ELHA property fell on the swan — decapitating her instantly. The poor thing never knew what hit her.
For years the swan sat as a welcoming beacon to neighbor and passersby alike. At times dressed to party in seasonal attire, but always stoically oblivious to both admiration and ridicule.
It is with fond memories and sadness that we bid farewell to our plywood friend. Rest in peace.
Community Collaboration to Reduce Dangerous Debris in Echo Lake
In September and October 2016, volunteers from neighborhoods upstream of Echo Lake spent several weekends removing debris from two streams along Briarlake Road that drain into Echo Lake. They removed hundreds of trash items that spoiled their own neighborhoods and would otherwise have washed down into Echo Lake during heavy rains. This stream cleanup was organized by Brennan Humphries, a member of the Friends of Briarlake Forest Park, a 21 acre green space off Briarlake Road that DeKalb County recently purchased for public use. Some toxic debris enters stream beds through storm drains. Drains marked with this plaque remind us to not put toxic items into these drains.
This stream cleanup is a vivid example of collaboration between neighborhoods in the Echo Lake watershed that want to keep our watershed clean and safe for fish, wildlife, and people who use the lake. ELHA members who wish to volunteer for future stream cleanup can contact Brennan at jjh411@ymail.com. For info about the Forest Park, see briarlake.fop@gmail.com.
On November 20, one ELHA member used her kayak to collect potentially dangerous debris floating on our lake, such as plastic bags, rings, bottles, bottle caps, and Styrofoam bits (photo). These items can choke or trap wildlife and kill fish, release toxic chemicals into the water, clog electric trolling motors of fishing boats, and block the dam spillway. ELHA members can reduce this kind of debris if they remind workers, children, and guests not to throw items in the lake, retrieve tennis balls and water bottles in yards before they roll down into the lake, and remove any lakeshore trash they find on their lakeshore.
Community Meeting about the Echo Lake Watershed: All You Wanted to Know about Flooding, Storm Water Management, and Protecting Streambanks & Lake Shores
On August 9, 2016, the North Briarlake Civic Association (NBCA) (that includes many members of ELHA) hosted a community education meeting about the Echo Lake watershed, including the flood-prone intersection of Briarcliff and Briarlake Roads. The 90 minute meeting featured Art Hansen of NBCA, Bill Blakeslee of ELHA, and Jason Ulseth, an environmental specialist certified in storm water management from the non-profit organization, Chattahoochee RiverKeeper. The meeting drew more than 80 local residents from several local subdivisions; representatives of many homeowners’ associations, Lakeside High School, and local environmental protection groups, and the Director and chief engineer from DeKalb County’s Planning and Sustainability Department.
Speakers addressed the several concerns in our watershed. These include recent severe flooding, excessive storm water, clogged drains and culverts, continued erosion and sedimentation due to development and the removal or disturbance of mature trees, vegetation, and soil on streambanks and lakeshores. They also discussed the many benefits of maintaining mature trees for controlling erosion and air pollution, preserving wildlife habitat, and enhancing property values. This noted federal and state laws that regulate docks and other development on the banks of waterways. They included local case studies, including a Lakeside student seriously injured by a displaced storm drain cover during a major flood on Briarcliff Rd.
Speakers also described recent actions the county has taken to reduce flooding, to manage storm water, to protect streambanks and lakeshores, and to reduce pollution of surface waters that make up 98% of Atlanta’s drinking water. They noted future plans for additional watershed improvements if community support and financial resources are sufficient. Speakers also reviewed simple steps residents can take to reduce flooding, to improve storm water flow, and to minimize erosion and water pollution into our local waterways.
See links for meeting handouts and PowerPoint presentations that provide more details:
Stream Buffers, Trees, and Clean Drinking Water
Flooding & Storm Water
Mosquitoes, Algal Blooms, and Septic System Safety
Concerned about mosquitoes, algal blooms, or septic system safety? Check out these useful fact sheets from CDC and EPA:
1—
Some ELHA members worry about mosquitoes given proximity to our shallow lake, several feeder creeks, and the swamp across Briarcliff Rd. Georgia continues to report rare cases of West Nile virus. Florida recently reported the first cases of locally transmitted Zika virus infection in the US. The offending mosquito species thrive throughout Georgia.
Preventing mosquito bites that (rarely) transmit West Nile, Zika, and other mosquito-borne diseases in the US: cdc.gov/zika/pdfs/control_mosquitoes_chikv_denv_zika.pdf
2—
ELHA members have reported persistent blooms this summer in both shallow and deeper ends of the lake.
Preventing potentially toxic algal blooms that occur in shallow, slow lakes in summer due to fertilizer runoff and septic overflows: cdc.gov/nceh/hsb/hab/cyanobacteria_faq.pdf
3—
Several homeowners on Echo Trail and in neighborhoods that drain into Echo Lake use septic systems because they lack public or private sewer lines.
Septic system maintenance to prevent toxic overflow into lakes and creeks: epa.gov/septicsmart
County Meetings on Flooding
ELHA board members and members have had several meetings with DeKalb County officials over last few months to discuss concerns about our watershed, especially continued sedimentation into Echo Lake from various sources and dangerous flooding of the Briarlake/Briarcliff intersection that stranded pedestrians and motorists on Dec 2015 and in February 2016 and required public safety officials to help stranded school buses, other vehicles, students, and other pedestrians.
The meetings were very productive and demonstrated commitment of county to mitigate long-standing problems with flooding, storm water drainage, and sedimentation due to intense real estate development since the 1960s without adequate erosion controls and stormwater infrastructure upgrades across this 1800 acre watershed.
This is an opportune time for these discussions because new flood plain maps have been drawn and Briarlake/Briarcliff intersection and all of Echo Lake shore line is now classified as high risk flood plain zone which has unique environmental and regulatory implications. The continued sedimentation from erosion of streams and lakeshores situated above the lake, particularly sedimentation coming from Lakeside High School outflow streams and playing fields steadily increases ELHA’s costly dredging burden.
These meetings have included various high level and technical staff from DeKalb County (Commissioner Rader, DeKalb’s Chief Operating Officer Zachary Williams, Deputy Chief Operating Officer for Development Luz Borrero, Davis Fox (urban planner for Commissioner Gannon), Director and engineering staff of DeKalb Departments of Planning and Sustainability, Land Development, Roads and Drainage, and Public Transportation; representatives of DeKalb County School System, and Lakeside’s Facilities Management and Engineering Depts; and representatives of ELHA, another HOA in the watershed, and the North Briarlake Civic Association (that includes ELHA members) that represents ~1400 homeowners.
The meetings addressed chronic sources of sedimentation and flooding and prompted several site visits by county and school officials and HOA representatives to the Briarlake/Briarcliff intersection, Lakeside HS, and upland streams and lakeshores. These visits noted several problems, including clogged, flattened or disconnected storm drains and culverts under Briarlake and Briarcliff Rds; eroded headwalls that may fail to support to outflow and sewer pipes from Lakeside; eroded stream banks below Lakeside sports fields; and a notch level at Greely Lake (the swamp across Briarcliff from the peninsula of Echo lake) that allows water to overflow onto Briarcliff.
These officials discussed simple remedies such as 1) evaluating and upgrading the performance of the Lakeside stormwater system; 2) repairing storm drains and headwalls, 3) modifying the Greely notch; 4) revegetating banks of streams and lakes in the watershed, and 4) limiting upland development along streambanks and lakeshores that flow into Echo Lake. More complex and costly solutions were also discussed, such as “stairways” of smaller flood and sedimentation controls near Lakeside and dredging of Greely Lake to increase water retention. To date, the county and school officials have allocated considerable staff time for inspections. The county has conducted a preliminary watershed study and recently issued a request for proposals for additional hydrology studies that would be needed to develop mitigation plans. The latter suggests that the county may allocate considerable sums for mitigation (e.g.> $200,000). Members of ELHA and other HOAs in watershed will seek a meeting with the above parties in June to review all proposed mitigation strategies.
These meetings also addressed traffic problems on Briarcliff, including student parking and U-turns on Echo Drive and cut-through by speeding school buses (that serve only students who live near I-85 access road and not on local streets) to avoid Shallowford and Briarcliff traffic. Lakeside officials are aware of these problems due to repeated complaints and are considering various remedies. These include different “bell times” to separate commuter and school traffic, extending dedicated turning lanes at the intersection, stressing that students should not turn onto Echo Drive, installing a traffic median that would block Echo Drive turnaround, and prohibiting cut-through bus routes. ELHA members noted several Lakeside students who are not ELHA members have repeatedly used the lake and other ELHA common property without permission for boating, fishing and parties.
Watershed residents are working with an environmental science teacher at Lakeside to use problems in our watershed as real-world teaching examples about erosion, sedimentation, hydrology, environmental management, and community advocacy for health, safety, and environmental protection.
Summary of remarks given by Katy Irwin (ELHA member) at the 2016 Annual Meeting.