Corps Closes Breaches Near Thurman

OMAHA – The US Army Corps of Engineers reports the closure of  two more breaches on the Missouri River levee system on Saturday.

The third and fourth breaches on levee 594 were closed west of Thurman, Iowa.

Corina Zhang, resident engineer for the L-594 project, said work has progressed despite recent winter weather.

The Omaha district also awarded a $4.7 million construction contract for repairs to the Salt Creek levee systems in Lincoln. There is an estimated $1.1 billion in property that receives flood protection from the levee system in Lincoln.

There are more than 500 miles of levees on the Missouri, Platte and Elkhorn rivers, as well as tributaries, with significant flood damage in March of 2019.

Zhang credits teamwork and commitment for progress through the winter.

Zhang: “This team is comprised of companies that are often times direct competitors but have come together under the common goal of repairing the damaged levee system that is vitally important to the communities and land owners behind it."

“Closing these two breaches is a direct reflection of the field team's leadership and problem solving mentality.” 

Zhang