Army Corps of Engineers flood teams stabilizing levees in northern Idaho, western Montana

Published March 17, 2017

 

 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, has flood teams on the ground in Sprague, Washington, in the St. Joe River basin in Idaho and in Troy, Montana.

The Corps is working on a temporary measure to stabilize a section of levee on the St. Joe River in support of the City of St. Maries to address flood damages along approximately 300 feet of the landward side of the levee. Once the stabilization measures are completed, they will place riprap on the riverward side of the levee to prevent further scouring. This levee protects the City of St. Maries, including roads, water and sewer system, power, communications and interior drainage. Based on the current forecast and conditions, work is expected to be completed March 20.

Sprague has requested support in response to a flooding creek, and the team has provided technical assistance and two pumps, 7,500 sandbags, 100 super sacks and plastic sheeting. Flooding has put at risk roads and City offices as well as stormwater, water, sewer, communications and power infrastructure.

The Kootenai basin team is assisting the county with assistance at Callahan Creek in Troy, Montana, where they expect to begin staging rock today that could be used, if necessary, for a temporary emergency repair to the damaged levee in Troy.

The Corps has also supplied a pump to Kootenai County and distributed 5,000 sandbags to the City of Ellensburg, Washington, and 5,000 to the City of St. Maries.

Flood team members will be in the areas of concern to provide assistance as requested and monitor conditions until the major flood threat has passed.

Public Law 84-99 enables the Corps to assist state and local authorities in flood fight activities and cost share in the repair of flood protection structures. The purpose is to prevent loss of life and minimize property damage associated with severe weather. 

Private citizens seeking sandbags should contact their local government offices. 

The National Weather Service issues flood watches and warnings and should be consulted for that information.

 


Contact
Public Affairs Office
206-764-3750

Release no. 17-012