Partial draining of pond near Ann Arbor elementary aims to reduce risk of flooding

ANN ARBOR, MI – Ann Arbor Public Schools is holding a community meeting to discuss repairs to a damaged underground stormwater drainage pipe at the Thurston Nature Center north of Thurston Elementary School that will result in partial drainage of the pond.

The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 27th, 6:30 p.m., via Zoom to answer questions from the community and to discuss the plan.

A damaged section of the underground stormwater drainage pipe under the Thurston Nature Center needs repairs to reduce the risk of future flooding, the district said in a notice to neighbors near the nature center.

AAPS says a video inspection showed that a 60-foot section of the overflow pipe collapsed and sank two feet deep. There are concerns that without the pipe repairing, a hole in the ground could form at the Thurston Nature Center and that Thurston Pond could flood neighboring properties.

Work is expected to begin on August 2nd and will include emptying the pond to a minimum, excavating the area around the damaged pipe and restoring the area with native plantings in collaboration with the Thurston Nature Center Committee.

During the project, materials and equipment will be deployed on the nature center’s southern prairie and some nearby trails will be closed while repairs are in progress, AAPS said.

“Thanks to the Thurston Nature Center Committee for their continued leadership of the TNC and for informing AAPS of the need for this repair,” noted AAPS in a message to the community. “AAPS apologizes for any inconvenience this necessary repairs may cause to the Thurston community and its neighbors.”

The Thurston Nature Center is owned by AAPS and operated by the Friends of the Thurston Nature Center – a subcommittee of the Thurston Elementary School’s parent-teacher organization.

More information about the project and a recording of the briefing can be found on the AAPS website.

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