Cochran Basin Stormwater Facility Update

Following up on stormwater repair work at TJ Meenach, City of Spokane has the pumps at the Cochran
Basin stormwater facility up and running and is pleased with how things have been working. The system
is designed to manage stormwater by moving water through a series of seven swale ponds before
reaching a drywell. This helps keep runoff from entering the river.

Earlier in December, crews discovered that the heavy rains caused a small washout between the first
two ponds at the Whitewater Disc Golf Course. This area is designed to overflow naturally, however, the
ground and vegetation were likely compacted by foot traffic, reducing the elevation difference between
the weir and the side banks. You may have noticed some water near the parking area. As a precaution,
the city has turned off the pumps until repairs can be made.

The good news is that the overflow worked as intended, keeping sediment in the upper section of the
system and preventing it from entering the river.

Right now, conditions are too wet for equipment to access the site. Work crews will return with the
drier and colder conditions to raise the banks and weir. Until then, stormwater will temporarily flow
through the normal outfall pipe to the river.

During wet conditions and the abnormally high and fast river levels, we urge community members to be
extra cautious along the trail, staying away from the equipment and wet areas. Stay safe and visit
https://www.spokaneriver.net/watertrail/safety-river-flows/ for current river flows and more!