A $15M wall could stop flooding in Bristol, but what about the Delaware River view?

Bristol Borough is in the midst of an economic transformation, with more businesses and restaurants opening.

But regular flooding issues at the Mill Street Wharf and in the municipal parking lot that serves multiple businesses along Mill and Radcliffe streets, including the Bristol Riverside Theatre, is creating a catch-22.

To keep flood waters out of its Mill Street municipal parking lot, the borough would have to build a $15 million flood wall, said borough Manager James Dillon.

But that's largely out of the question because people couldn't see the Delaware River in this historic river town's Mill Street business district "unless they walked on top of the wall," Dillon said.

Will rains cause flooding in Bristol Borough?

That's the dilemma the borough faces as it prepares for another major storm expected this weekend. The National Weather Service in Westampton, New Jersey, has issued a hydrology report warning of more heavy rainfall, or snow, on its way. And there could be a second heavy rainfall event next week.

When the parking lot behind Mill Street flooded from recent rains, borough police went to the theater to alert patrons that their cars were in danger of water damage.

"They were giving us names of people whose cars were in danger so we could find what seats they were in and let them know. It was an extraordinary level of care and concern. As far as I know everyone was fine, the cars were all fine, and our wardrobe supervisor handed out socks to everyone in the audience who got wet moving their cars," said the theatre's Producing Director Amy Kaissar in an email.

More: Bristol gets $1M to fix riverfront lot flooding; hopes improvements will ignite business

The borough has already spent a $1 million grant to replace drains and check drain valves as well as repave the parking lot, but Dillon said that won't prevent water from getting onto the property when the river rises and low-lying areas start to flood.

Borough Emergency Management Coordinator Merle Winslow said the drain work alleviated 80% of flooding in the parking lot during normal rainfalls, but with major coastal storms, the winds from the north and northeast directions are pushing the water from the river into the borough at high tides.

And, he said, the reservoirs at the upper ends of the Delaware River in New York are sometimes allowed to drain to avoid flooding there but it sends the water down to Bucks County and can add to the flooding here during significant storms.

How to be aware of Bristol Borough flooding

Delaware River Basic Commission spokeswoman Kate Schmidt said the municipal parking lot in Bristol is in the flood plain.

"The river at that location is tidal, and flooding occurs there frequently. The parking lot has signs warning motorists that there is a risk of flooding, and folks using the parking lot should have general awareness of flooding potential. Borough officials alert community members when there is an elevated risk."

Despite the risks, motorists still park in the municipal lot when it's difficult to find other open spots in town close to the business attractions, Winslow said.

He advises people to sign up for alerts to weather and river conditions on the Nixle system by texting BristolBoro to 888777 or by visiting https://local.nixle.com/register/.

He said many of the businesses along Mill and Radcliffe streets that have flooded now know to look for the alerts and some have used sand bags to keep water out of their basements.

Army Corps of Engineers readies report on Bristol flooding

The borough received a grant to have the Army Corps of Engineers study its hydrology at the Otter and Adams Hollow creeks to see if there are ways to help keep the water out of town.

The Army Corps released a report in November on flooding near the creeks, but Winslow said the flooding behind Mill Street is a separate issue. And the borough still needs to discuss with the corps and other experts how to address and fund fixes for the flooding.

"This study was completed at a level of detail to allow decision makers in Bristol Borough to develop and consider courses of action to address flood risk problems described in this study. Further study will be required to create plans to design and implement structural or non-structural solutions to manage flood risk problems and achieve the objectives outlined here," the report states.

And Gov. Josh Shapiro has gotten involved in Bucks County flooding issues following a fatal flood last summer affecting Lower and Upper Makefield. The state has set up a task force to help residents pay for flood insurance premiums.

Bristol is also on the state's radar.

"At Governor Shapiro’s direction, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) is also working on helping Bristol Borough with several applications to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for flooding mitigation projects," said Manuel Bonder, spokesperson for the governor.

And the Delaware River Basin Commission is working with PEMA on a series of workshops "to support counties in advancing their hazard mitigation project applications for FEMA funding approval in the Middle Delaware which includes Bucks County," Schmidt said.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Bristol Borough continues to struggle with flooding at Delaware River