Carpentier Creek

Development underway south of the University Shopping Center (111 N. Red Bank Road) has an impact on Carpentier Creek. Click here for more information.

WESTSIDE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION’S
ISSUES WITH CARPENTIER CREEK

This picture illustrates the encroachment of trees and other vegetation into Carpentier Creek. Click on the picture to enlarge it.

Carpentier Creek is the main watershed for the west side of Evansville. The watershed for the creek is approximately eight (8) square miles, or five thousand one hundred ten (5,110) acres. Approximately six (6) square miles, or 3,840 acres, are in the county. Approximately two (2) square miles, or 1,280 acres lay within the city. From 1894 until 1965 it was a legal drain and maintained by allotments. At that time, allotments were removed from the new drainage statutes and Carpentier Creek became the sole responsibility of the property owners for maintenance. As you will see later in this report, this method of maintenance has not worked.

Kelly Lawrence of the Levee Authority conducted a tour of Carpentier Creek, south of the Lloyd Expressway. Westside Improvement Association members Fred Padget, Shirley James, Martha Peak, and Trena Roedel attended this tour. Mr. Lawrence and the WIA members discovered the following problems:

1. Numerous blockages of the flow of the creek caused by downed trees, trash, silt, debris, and beaver dams.

2. Culverts of insufficient size to accommodate the water flow.

3. Standing water that is stagnating and full of lily pads. (An excellent breeding site for the West Nile Virus mosquitoes.)

4. Illegal filling of the floodway of Carpentier Creek has altered the water flow of the creek and created problems for residents near the creek.

All the above problems have aggravated or increased flooding of homes, farmlands, and roads along Carpentier Creek.

Adding to these flooding problems is the fact that recent commercial development has increased storm water runoff because of the added asphalt, concrete, and rooftops. Since Carpentier Creek is the main drainage for the entire west side of Evansville, we cannot allow it to continue to deteriorate. WIA would appreciate your help in correcting these problems.

Prepared by the WIA Pollution & Conservation Committee