Los Gatos Patch reader Gary Hinze reported that several times while riding his bike along Los Gatos Creek Trail after a major rain storm, he would notice a storm drain manhole that overflowed next to Charter Oak Drive.
The cover would be lifted by the storm water and the bank was eroding. The loose cover was a trip-and-fall hazard, as was the erosion channel along the edge of the path, he explained.
The erosion was undercutting the edge of the path. He said he would kick the cover back on whenever he saw it off.
After he suggested to Los Gatos Parks and Public Works officials that it might be better to have a bolted down cover or an open grate to allow overflow, he was pleasantly surprised to learn his request had been granted.
After the Nov. 30-Dec. 2 storm system, Hinze said water was still overflowing and sweeping grass, but the cover was not displaced and the erosion seemed to be under control.
LOCATION: Los Gatos Creek Trail adjacent to Charter Oak Drive at the north end of Charter Oak Circle
PROBLEM: Storm drain manhole overflowed, cover was lifted by the storm water becoming a trip-and-fall hazard and the bank was eroded.
RESPONSIBLE PARTY: Los Gatos Parks and Public Works Department, 408-399-5770, or email ppw@losgatosca.gov.
DATE REPORTED: Dec. 11
DAYS ON WATCH: 10
DATE FIXED: Before Dec. 21
