Coming in under budget and nearly a full year ahead of schedule, the Lower Imhoff Creek Stabilization Project has been completed and resolves long-standing erosion and drainage concerns for local residents.

The project area, located along Imhoff Creek between Highway 9 and Imhoff Road, had experienced severe stream bank erosion, threatening public infrastructure, private property and environmental stability. With funding and a plan identified in 2025, work began in September 2025.

“This is a major infrastructure and stormwater improvement initiative that was completed in just 228 days and under budget,” said Brandon Brooks, Capital Projects Engineer for the Department of Public Works. “Originally anticipated to require approximately 548 construction days, we are proud to share that the project was delivered in less than half the scheduled timeframe, marking a significant achievement for the City, project partners, and the construction team. The project included extensive stream bank stabilization measures designed to reduce erosion, protect nearby infrastructure, improve stormwater conveyance and strengthen the long-term resilience of the creek corridor.”

Project features help safeguard private property in the area in addition to protecting public assets, including roadway infrastructure that had previously experienced emergency failures due to erosion conditions. Construction was carried out by Cimarron Construction Company, whose performance and coordination helped accelerate the construction schedule while maintaining high quality-of-work standards, Brooks said. 

Funding for the project included a combination of local stormwater capital improvement funding – as this project was part of the City’s Stormwater Master Plan – and federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program assistance administered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. With the project coming in nearly $90,000 under budget, additional reinvestment for other stormwater initiatives will be made possible with those dollars. 

“This project reflects the City’s commitment to delivering high-quality infrastructure improvements efficiently and responsibly,” said Public Works Director Scott Sturtz. “We appreciate the hard work and collaboration of all involved, including the citizens who walked us through impacted areas and shared insights while a plan was being formulated to tackle the issue.”

Check out a video documenting work stages and project completion here.

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