Fourpole Creek, viewed from the Eighth Street Bridge, flows throughout Ritter Park on June 11, 2025, in Huntington.
Ryan Fischer | HD Media
HUNTINGTON — An issue that has affected Huntington residents for years will be further studied for solutions.
The City of Huntington is seeking qualified vendors to conduct professional architectural and engineering services for the creation of a master plan for flood mitigation along Fourpole Creek. The services are for a Fourpole Creek flooding mitigation study and proposal, according to a legal notice published recently in The Herald-Dispatch in Huntington.
Neighborhoods along the creek have dealt with flooding events for years, most notably in 2016 and 2022 and on Feb. 6 of this year. During the rain events, residents have reported water rising to several feet inside their homes — flooding basements and ruining furniture, appliances and personal belongings.
While the Feb. 6 flood was not as severe as the previous two floods, some residents had water come into their homes.
The city will accept questions regarding the request for quote until 2 p.m. Sept. 25, 2025. Proposals must be submitted through BidExpress, according to the legal notice.
The statement of qualifications for providing architectural/engineering design services will be accepted until 10 a.m. Oct. 2, and must be uploaded on BidExpress.com. At that time, submissions will be opened at Huntington City Hall.
The study gives the city the framework it needs for its flood response, Huntington Communications Director Evan Lee said in an email response Wednesday. The study will also help the city identify action items that can be implemented within the next two to three years, he said.
Lee said the study will help the city identify solutions for changes to increase the water-carrying capacity of Fourpole Creek to reduce flooding in neighborhoods.
The master plan will identify long-term goals and near-term items that can provide immediate relief to residents affected by flooding.
“We anticipate that the results will include both soft improvements — such as reforestation and soil management techniques — and hard improvements like retention areas, terracing, and diversions," Lee said. “Just as importantly, we expect the end product to help Mayor [Patrick] Farrell’s administration identify future funding sources and strengthen partnerships at both the local and federal levels.â€
Lee said a timeline for the study is undetermined as of now. When asked about the expected cost, Lee said he cannot comment on a target budget because of state bidding rules. He also did not comment on where the funds for the study will come from.
“What this study will do is pinpoint the best locations for those solutions, provide cost estimates for construction, and guide City policy to ensure they are carried out,†Lee said.
It will also provide preliminary engineering. The study is intended to complement the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' future watershed study, Lee said. The Corps' study was authorized in 2022.
Fourpole Creek has been studied by federal entitles and local professionals over the years, focusing on various aspects including flooding, water quality and infrastructure.
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