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Alexandria remains in danger from floodwater
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Alexandria (Map, News) - Though workers have completed part of a $2 million project to dredge parts of a city stream and replace a weir, Alexandria remains at risk from storms, staff told the City Council this week.
“All the efforts so far are getting back to pre- [summer 2006] flood conditions,” Rich Baier, director of Alexandria's Transportation and Environmental Services department, said Thursday.
City employees began dredging a second 1.5-mile stretch of Cameron Run this week. They also have to replace a weir on Eisenhower Avenue, which burst during the storm. Weirs are used to reduce the velocity of running water in a stream, said Craig Perl, a city hydraulic engineer. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is providing matching funds for the work.
“The main reason flood levels were higher than expected” on the left bank of Cameron Run by the Beltway was because outdated data, some 40 years old, was used to determine what property was at risk from 100-year magnitude storms, according to a summary of the draft investigation prepared by the Army Corps of Engineers. The old data do not account for current sedimentation and development, Baier said.
Sedimentation, or accumulated dirt that makes a channel shallower, contributed to flooding around the Beltway bridge that crosses Cameron Run. If the channel was as deep as it was in 1965, the floodwater could have been about 3 feet lower, according to the report.
Modifying the bridge might reduce future flooding, the report suggested. If the area for water to pass through was larger, the floodwaters could have been almost 2 feet shallower.
Two culverts were too small to handle the 2006 storm, resulting in flooding on Janneys Lane and in the basements of several homes between Glendale Avenue and Summers Drive, according to the report.
It is not yet known what measures besides dredging will be taken, Baier and Perl said. The Corps’ draft report also suggests flood walls and other techniques. Cost estimates to replace the culverts or perform other work aren’t known.
mhegstad@dcexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
7:52 PM MST on Sat., Sep. 8, 2007 re: "Flooded Midwest, Plains Try Recover"
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5:34 PM MST on Tue., Jul. 3, 2007
re: "Oil Plus Floods Turn Kansas Town Slimy"
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6:23 PM MST on Mon., Jul. 2, 2007
re: "Flooding Forces Kansas Town's Evacuation"
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11:33 AM MST on Mon., Jul. 2, 2007
re: "Hundreds Evacuate As Plains Rivers Bulge"
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10:47 AM MST on Mon., Jul. 2, 2007
re: "Hundreds Evacuate As Plains Rivers Bulge"
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Examiner Reader said:
Is there anywhere that I can search for information concerning two Rushford, MN relatives (Lyle & Gladys Meyers) who have not been heard from since the town was evacuated during the flooding? Appreciate your help. Denny Engle d-n-d-2@peoplepc.com
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Examiner Reader said:
is there anyone who is looking to locate to maine for a safe environment - l have a large home on the river and am looking for someone who is family oriented with children to share this magnificant home with me. please respond if yo are interested
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Examiner Reader said:
There aren't any ariel photos of the flooded towns in southeast Kansas. Photos would give everyone a better idea of how massive the flooding is.
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Mike H. said:
You have my sympathies Pearlie Mae Cain. I hope that your brother and sister are alright.
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Pearlie Mae Cain said:
I Pearlie Was Bron and rised in Coffeyville ; And it saded me Because it is one Town you could be happy it was a historyical ; And ever Four year's we would have Home coming I will miss going home God Bless every one there ; I have not heard from my Brother are sister ; Herman scott 409 east 4th street And Lydia that live in th third street apartments Love you
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