Northeast Arkansas levee ready to handle flooding

POCAHONTAS, Ark. (KAIT) – Latest rainfall in Northeast Arkansas is bringing issues about an space that noticed historic flooding seeing the identical factor.

Because the notorious flood of 2017, the Military Corps of Engineers has been tasked with bringing the levee in Pocahontas again to pre-flood situations.

To decelerate the erosion course of, members used a unique sort of soil and put in some rocks round areas the place water flows. Different supplies equivalent to grass had been additionally used.

“Grass has a root system and the basis system helps maintain all of the topsoil in place and this protects in opposition to erosion”, stated Public Affairs Officer Tomas Rofkahr.

The levee was repaired utilizing fashionable strategies, equivalent to new soil and rocks, which helps the core infrastructure of the levee.

“The constructing strategies are significantly better now. We perceive soil higher, we perceive the water higher, and we perceive the dynamics higher,” Rofkahr stated.

These developments assist the levee stand up to extra stress and improve longevity.

In keeping with the Nationwide Climate Service, the Black River in Pocahontas is forecasted to crest at 21.5 toes, properly inside the constraints of the levee.

“Once we are getting up into 28 and 29 toes of water, that’s the place we begin to see points,” Rofkahr stated.

Upkeep is essential when residents and property rely upon it. Inspections are sometimes performed after a serious flooding occasion or if there’s seen injury to part of the levee.

With correct consideration, levees can maintain robust for many years.

“This stuff have life spans that shall be proper up there with individuals. We’re speaking 50 years or 100 years if they’re taken care of,” Rofkahr stated.

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