Agreement signed to help stop flooding in Detroit

Published April 2, 2020

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, has signed an agreement to assist the City of Detroit with direct assistance to fight against flood events expected during this upcoming spring and summer seasons.

The cooperation agreement, signed electronically in light of COVID-19, will provide direct assistance to the City of Detroit in the Jefferson-Chalmers and Jefferson Village neighborhoods.

"Even while the Detroit District and the Corps nation-wide is surging to help the nation respond to this pandemic, we're working diligently to help the City of Detroit and State of Michigan protect our communities from historically high water levels," said Lt. Col. Greg Turner, district engineer, Detroit District.

The Detroit District, using its authorities to help during possible flood events, will provide the city with materials that directly assist in flood fighting including wire mesh sand-filled basket walls and sandbag sleeves. To supplement direct assistance, the district will provide technical assistance, but the city and state will install and maintain these temporary structures. The Detroit District will also construct a temporary levee approximately 1,500 linear feet long around the Harding Canal in the Jefferson Village area. The Detroit District is scheduled to construct the temporary berms staring in early April with completion by early May.

The flood control measures being taken are to protect the region's waste water treatment plant from becoming overwhelmed. The city’s combined sewer system collects storm water, including flood water, into the sewer system, which is then carried to the treatment plant. If the plant were to become overwhelmed during a flood event, it could cause a backup of sewage into basements in the area.

Current high water levels on the Great Lakes along with forecasted spring rain have caused known flood prone areas in the City of Detroit to require flood fighting, so the State of Michigan and City of Detroit have requested assistance to facilitate this effort.

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Contact
Lynn Rose
313-226-4680
313-300-0662 (cell)
Lynn.M.Rose@usace.army.mil

Release no. 20-015