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Construction of these levees began in the 1940’s and was complete in 1980. After operating for 30 to 50 years, it is time to reassure that it can provide the expected level of protection to the Kansas City downtown metropolitan area.
Over 60 miles of levees along the Missouri and Kansas Rivers wind through the heart of the Kansas City metro area. These levees protect its most densely developed business regions from floods and protect thousands of commercial, industrial and residential structures with a combined investment totaled at more than $15 billion.
Severe floods ravaged this area in the early 1900’s and again in 1951. In 1993 the flood levels crested near the top of the levees and floodwalls at several locations. The Great Flood event in 1993 revealed the need to reestablish the appropriate level of flood protection for the Kansas City bi-state area near the junction of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers. Should these levees be compromised during a high water event, the results will be in near Katrina proportions.
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The Chiefs Report was signed on December 19, 2006. Authorization in 2007 WRDA was received for construction of modifications to the local protection projects that make up the Kansas City Levee system to reduce flood damages in the Kansas City area by improving the system through proposed modifications and corrections of deficiencies.
MO-ARK promotes the beneficial use of water and land related resources in the Missouri River Valley including the areas ofAgriculture, Environment, Flood Damage Reduction, Navigation, Recreation, Shipping and Ports, Power, Water Quality and Supply. Site developed by Internet Solutions Group of Kansas City © 2010 Missouri-Arkansas River Basin Association. All rights reserved.