U.S. Army Corps, DNR discuss flood resilience study in Jefferson City

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

On Monday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources met to discuss the Lower Missouri Jefferson City spin-off study.

The study comes after the Missouri River flooded in 1993, 2011 and 2019, leaving billions of dollars in damage to buildings and agriculture. Community Planner with Corps of Engineers Kansas City District Ginger Niemann- Harper said the study looks into ways to protect homes and businesses in the city.

"You know, what we can do to increase that level of protection...the current levee you know, we're looking at potentially new levee systems here," Niemann-Harper said. "...How can we improve flood fighting efforts, how can we help elevate homes or businesses that are impacted?

Several community members gathered at the Lewis and Clark State Office Building Monday to receive a better understanding of where the study is at, and provide feedback. Some improvements discussed include setting the current levee back from the river so the water has more areas to go--making the current levee taller-- and looking into where the upstream and downstream systems water goes.

Callaway County Commissioner Roger Fischer said he supports the idea of moving the levee back, so more volume of the water is able to transport down the river. Fischer also said he finds it important to ensure the protection of U.S. Route 54, as several people rely on the highway daily.

"We need to protect that corridor in and out of Jefferson City," Fischer said. "Can you imagine the parents when their children get on a bus and they're not sure if they're going to keep the road open or if it's going to flood?"

Another man told ABC17 News that he's had to pay thousands of dollars in past years to cover flood damage. He said his frustration lies with the city's inability to take into consideration everyone's opinions.

The city is hoping to have a report sent to congress for approval by 2026. The study would then move into them design and construction phase following that, if approved, according to Niemann-Harper.