BY MIKE DAVIS, TIMES OF TRENTON STAFF WRITER -
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has begun studying causes and impact of flooding at the Assunpink Creek, officials announced on Friday.

The $500,000 study is expected to take two years to complete and will include the eight-mile section of the creek that stretches from Mercer Lake in Mercer County Park through Trenton to the Delaware River, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-4th Dist.) announced in a news release.

If a feasible flooding solution is identified, the Corps and state will begin to design alternative improvement options.

"These types of projects take time, but the Army Corps of Engineers has committed itself to investigate all possible solutions to the flooding which has plagued this area of Hamilton Township for many years,” Smith said in a news release.

The Trenton portion of the creek is currently undergoing a “daylighting” project to direct the creek out from underground to improve fish migration and natural habitat, but have no impact on flooding.

“It is a promising sign for our community, and especially our residents who have endured significant flooding in the past, to finally see a study like this take place; and I am pleased that this issue is now getting the consideration that it deserves," Hamilton Mayor Kelly Yaede said.

In 2012, the corps issued surveys regarding flood damage to residents and businesses near the creek to determine the viability of new flood mitigation projects.

This article was originally published Oct. 24 at:

http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2014/10/us_army_corps_of_engineers_begin_studying_flood_causes_impact_at_assunpink_creek_in_hamilton.html