I must respond to the misinformation contained in the June 2001 Jet City Maven in the article titled "Meadowbrook fields closed due to flooding." The article claims that ball fields at Meadowbrook play field were closed "due to overflow from an adjacent stream known as Meadowbrook Creeklet."

 This is not true. Meadowbrook Creeklet is spring fed, is not subject to increased flow due to storm water runoff, and does not flood. The only time the Creeklet overflowed was shortly after it was completed, during a heavy rain storm. The reason for that overflow into the north end of the Meadowbrook Community Center parking lot was an inaccurate survey that resulted in the lower end on the Creeklet channel being higher than the middle section. After volunteers corrected this situation by removing one or two weirs and digging out the channel, the Creeklet has never again overflowed. The Creeklet serves as a channel for storm water runoff from the baseball field and has resulted in that field being dryer and playable earlier in the year. Surface water from the baseball field runs off the field into the Creeklet at the left field northeast conner.

 There has been much speculation about the reason for the soggy athletic fields at Meadowbrook this year. Everything from the earthquake to a higher wetland pond level has been suggested. It is indeed puzzling that in the driest winter on record fields Two and Three were wet, particularly since this was not a problem after one of the wettest winters on record, 1998-99.

 The reasons for the problem this year are unknown. We do know several things. After vegetation was removed from the wetland and creek channel, the water level in some to the wetland ponds dropped six inches. Despite this fields Two and Three remained soggy for several weeks after the vegetation removal in the channel. Vegetation has been growing in the wetland and creek channel for several years. It is unknown whether this vegetation has raised the water level in the wetland ponds in past years.

 One thing is clear, the drainage system under the ball fields is not functioning properly. If the higher water level in the wetland was the reason for the soggy fields, then lowering the water level should have allowed the fields to dry out relatively quickly if the drainage system under the fields worked. Fortunately the Pro Parks level passed last year contains funds for renovation of the Meadowbrook athletic fields. One thing most us can agree on is that renovation of the drainage system under the fields and the field surfaces need to occur soon.

 - ROBERT VREELAND