JACKSON, Wyo. — On Monday, March 3, Town Council unanimously agreed to become the owner of a new thaw well on Flat Creek to help mitigate the formation of anchor ice and prevent flooding on Garaman Park, pathways and private property.
The easement for the thaw well is located between 810 W Snow King Ave. and 420 W. Pearl Ave.
The staff report states that the Teton Conservation District (TCD) was awarded approximately $500,000 to construct the new thaw well in Flat Creek. In order for Town to own the thaw well, both TCD and Town need to be added to the existing easement as grantees.
The Teton Conservation District defines a thaw well as a concrete or plastic well housing with water pipes that pump warm ground water into a cold creek to thaw ice buildup. According to the Town, the thaw well, in addition to the two existing thaw wells in Town limits, are needed to remove frazil ice during the winter months. Moving water coupled with cold temperatures form these ice formations or ice anchors that can force water over the creek’s banks.
All homeowners along Flat Creek formed an improvement district, in partnership with the Town, to mitigate the flooding that occurs as a result of this natural process, per the staff report.
During the meeting, Council member Jonathan Schechter asked Public Works Assistant Director Johnny Ziem how well the thaw wells perform on Flat Creek. Ziem explained that Public Works has been collecting well data from the creek for the past three years.
“Thorough testing and data has verified that thaw wells are efficient in removing frazzle ice and prevents us from having to excavate,” Ziem said.
He added that there are low maintenance costs to run the thaw wells.
“In 1999 to 2000, the first two thaw wells were put in and they have required very little maintenance because we put in computer control systems,” Ziem said. “The life cycle of a well is many decades.”
According to the Town, it will cost up to $35,000 for the addition of computer control system on the new thaw well.
