General Investigations, Fiscal Year 1993, Lower Mississippi Valley Division

Kaskaskia River Basin, IL

The Kaskaskia River Basin includes all or part of 22 Illinois counties and covers an area of approximately 5,840 square
miles. Beginning in Champaign County about 5 miles northwest of Urbana, the river flows southwesterly for approximately
325 miles and empties into the Mississippi River about 8 miles above Chester, Illinois. This study reexamines the problems
and needs addressed by the three existing Corps projects within the basin (Lake Shelbyville, Carlyle Lake and the Kaskaskia
Navigation Project) and addresses additional concerns, including urban flood damage; flooding of cropland (the 10-year flood
of May, 1990 inundated over 150,000 acres, producing damages in excess of $15 million); streambank and shoreline erosion;
lake water level fluctuations affecting fish and wildlife habitat and recreation; siltation of lake and riverine habitat;
In addition, the Kaskaskia Basin represents one of the largest remaining
and municipal and industrial water supply.
concentrations of floodplain forest in Illinois, a state which has lost 98 percent of such habitat. The study will likely
investigate modifications to the existing projects, levees, greenbelts, land treatment and other measures. The study is
in accordance with administration policy. The Department of Conservation and the Department of Transportation, State of
Illinois, are the likely feasibility phase cost sharing sponsors.

Fiscal Year 1992 funds are being used to initiate and complete the reconnaissance phase. The funds requested for Fiscal Year
1993 will be used to continue into the feasibility phase. The preliminary estimated cost of the feasibility phase is
$1,050,000, which is to be shared on a 50-50 percent basis by Federal and non-Federal interests. Up to one-half of the non-
Federal share may be in-kind services. A summary of study cost sharing is as follows:

The reconnaissance phase is scheduled for completion in September 1992. The feasibility phase is scheduled for completion in April 1996.

29 JAN 1992

7

General Investigations, Fiscal Year 1993, Lower Mississippi Valley Division

Louisiana

Amite River and Tributaries, LA

Total
Estimated
Federal Cost
($)

Allocation
Prior to
FX 92
($)

Allocation
FX 92
($)

Tentative
Allocation
FY 93
($)

4,189,000

2,914,000

305,000

550,000

The study area encompasses the Amite River Drainage Basin, about 2,000 square miles in southeastern Louisiana and
The basin includes portions of East Baton Rouge, Ascension, Livingston, East Feliciana, St.
southwestern Mississippi.
Helena, Iberville, St. James, and St. John the Baptist Parishes in Louisiana, and Amite, Franklin, and Wilkinson counties
in Mississippi. Major urban centers in the study area include Baton Rouge, Baker, Zachary, Gonzales, Sorrento, and Denham
Flooding within the basin is caused by excessive rainfall that results in headwater and backwater
Springs, Louisiana.
Extensive flooding occurs in and around the major urban areas and on
overflows of the Amite River and Tributary Streams.
Between 1973 and 1990, five major floods occurred. The 1983
the expanses of agricultural lands, woods, and swampland.
flood was the flood of record. Over 357,000 acres were flooded causing flood damages estimated at $172,000,000. The 1990
flood caused an estimated $50,000,000 in damages. The study is addressing urban and agriculture flood damage reduction,
The study is in accordance with Administration policy. The
recreation, water supply, and fish and wildlife enhancement.
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development signed a cost sharing agreement 5 February 1985.

Fiscal Year 1992 funds are being used to continue the feasibility phase studies for Darlington Reservoir, Livingston,
Ascension and East Baton Rouge Parishes. The funds requested for Fiscal Year 1993 will be used to continue the feasibility
phase studies on Darlington Reservoir, Livingston, and Ascension Parishes, and complete the feasibility phase study for Bast
Baton Rouge Parish. The preliminary estimated cost of the feasibility phase is $7,079,000, which is to be shared on a 50-50
percent basis by Federal and non-Federal interests after the implementation date of feasibility cost sharing agreement, 15
A summary of study cost sharing is as
Up to one-half of the non-Federal share may be in-kind services.
ay 2

ET OF BOLE OF 33 217749/S CONUSTER COAT
Total Estimated Study Cost

$ 7,529,000

Reconnaissance Phase (Federal)
Feasibility Phase (Federal)
Feasibility Phase (non-Federal)

450,000
3,739,000
3,340,000

The reconnaissance phase was completed in February 1985.

The overall study is scheduled for completion in August 1994.

29 JAN 1992

-8

General Investigations, Fiscal Year 1993, Lower Mississippi Valley Division

Total
Estimated
Federal Cost
($)

Allocation
Prior to
FY 92
($)

Allocation
FY 92
($)

2,925,000

425,000

..

Tentative
Allocation
FY 93
($)

200,000

Additional
to Complete
After FX 93
($)

The study area is located in the northwest corner of Louisiana, east of the Red River within Bossier Parish, LA. The area
to be protected lies between Cypress Bayou and Red Chute Bayou to the east and the Red River to the west. Extreme rainfall
subsequent crevassing of a portion of the Red Chute Bayou Levee.
amounts during the period from 1 April to 6 May 1991 in the Bossier Parish, LA and vicinity resulted in the overtopping and
The failure of the Red Chute Bayou Levee allowed flows

150 homes in the Flat River Basin were threatened by the levee crevasse.
to enter Flat River and caused a considerable rise in the stages on the Flat River. Three subdivisions with approximately

The Red Chute Bayou Levee, constructed by the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the early 1970s was designed to provide 25-year protection to an area which was primarily
agricultural lands and woodlands. Since that time, the area has experienced an increase in the level of urbanization. The
study will address the need to provide additional flood control measures in view of the urbanization in the area. The study
is in accordance with Administration policy. The most likely local sponsor is Bossier Levee District.

Fiscal year 1991 carryover funds are being used to initiate the reconnaissance phase. The funds requested for Fiscal Year
1993 will be used to complete the reconnaissance phase and initiate the feasibility phase of the study. The preliminary
estimate cost of the feasibility phase is $5,000,000, which is to be shared on a 50-50 basis by Federal and non-Federai
interests. Up to one-half of the non-Federal share may be in-kind services. A summary of study cost sharing is as follows:

Total Estimated Study Cost
Reconnaissance Phase (Federal)
Feasibility Phase (Federal)
Feasibility Phase (Non-Federal)

$ 5,425,000

425,000

2,500,000
2,500,000

April 1996.
The reconnaissance phase is scheduled for completion in April 1993. The feasibility phase is scheduled for completion in

9

89 JAN 1992

General Investigations, Fiscal Year 1993, Lower Mississippi Valley Division

Jefferson - Orleans Parishes, LA

4,000,000

602,000

Allocation
FX 92
($)
298,000

Tentative
Allocation
FY 93
($)

800,000

Jefferson and Orleans are adjacent parishes located along the Mississippi River in southeast Louisiana. They encompass the
Orleans Parish and the City of New Orleans have
major urban centers in the New Orleans Metropolitan Statistical Area.
coincident boundaries and a population of 558,000 (1980). Jefferson Parish has a population of 445,000 (1980), giving the
The study area is relatively flat and divided into four
study area a total population of approximately 1,000,000.
Most of the developed areas are protected by levee systems from river and hurricane
hydrologically-independent areas.
flooding and drained by pumps which discharge primarily into estuarine water bodies such as Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Borgne,
and Barataria Bay. The leveed areas are divided by natural and man-made barriers into many sub-basins which are webbed with
drainage canals which terminate at pumping stations. Heavy rainfall has produced major floods in Jefferson and Orleans
Between 1977 and 1986, nearly 18,000 claims were filed with FEMA in Orleans Parish,
Parishes in 6 of the last 12 years.
In Jefferson Parish, 22,000 claims amounting to
totaling about $75,000,000 in covered losses to structures and contents.
In April 1980, May 1980, April 1983 and November 1989, Jefferson Parish was
$122,000,000 were filed over this period.
declared a Federal disaster area due to rainfall flooding. Local interests have made substantial improvements to the flood
control systems but have been unable to keep pace with the increasing severity of the problem. The frequency and widespread
impact of the floods warrant Federal investigation of possible solutions. Another major issue is storm water runoff that
adversely impacts water quality in Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Borgne, and Barataria Bay. A feasibility study would provide
the opportunity to address potential solutions to both flood damage reduction and water quality needs associated with the
urban stormwater system. Possible alternative solutions to the flooding and water quality problems include: drainage canal
improvements, removal of canal obstructions, increased pumping capacities, and detention ponds to allow partial treatment
of runoff entering Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Borgne, and the Barataria Basin. Jefferson and Orleans Parish officials
verbally indicated their intent to cost share in the feasibility phase in August 1990, and have repeatedly indicated their
intent since then.

Fiscal Year 1992 funds are being used to complete the reconnaissance study. Fiscal Year 1993 funds will be used to initiate the feasibility phase. The preliminary estimate of the cost for the feasibility phase is $6,200,000, shared on a 50-50 Up to one half of the non-Federal share may be in-kind services. A percent basis by Federal and non-Federal interests.

Summary of study cost sharing is as follows:

Total Estimated Study Cost
Reconnaissance Phase (Federal)
Feasibility Phase (Federal)
Feasibility Phase (non-Federal)

The reconnaissance phase is scheduled for completion in January 1993. in January 1996.

89 JAN 1992

10

General Investigations, Fiscal Year 1993, Lower Mississippi Valley Division

Lake Cataouatche Levee, LA

400,000

Additional
to Complete
After FX 93
($)

828,000

The study area is located on the west bank of the Mississippi River in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, just west of the
authorized Westwego to Harvey Canal hurricane protection project. The Lake Cataouatche levee was constructed over 20 years
ago by the Lafourche Basin Levee district and is maintained by the West Jefferson Levee District. The levee provides
limited protection from hurricane surge flooding to approximately 22,000 acres, including the communities of Avondale,
Bridge City, Kennedy Heights and the western part of the city of Westwego. High tides from Hurricanes Betsy (1965), Hilda
(1964) and more recently Juan (1985), caused considerable damage to the existing levee. Jefferson Parish and the West
Jefferson Levee District passed a resolution dated 1 March 1989 requesting the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a
study is in accordance with Administration policy.
study evaluating the feasibility of providing increased levels of hurricane protection for the Lake Cataouatche area.
The West Jefferson Levee District verbally agreed to be the local
projects. The Feasibility Cost Sharing Agreement is scheduled to be signed in August 1992.
sponsor in April 1991; they understand the current cost sharing requirements and are the local sponsor on two similar

Fiscal Year 1992 funds are being used to complete the reconnaissance phase at full Federal expense and initiate the
study.
feasibility phase. The funds requested for Fiscal Year 1993 will be used to continue into the feasibility phase of the
basis by Federal and non-Federal interests.
The preliminary estimated cost of the feasibility phase is $3,000,000, which is to be shared on a 50-50 percent
of the study cost sharing is as follows:
Up to one-half of the non-Federal share may be in-kind services. A summary

Total Estimated Study Cost
Reconnaissance Phase (Federal)
Feasibility Phase (Federal)

Feasibility Phase (non-Federal)

$ 3,500,000
500,000
1,500,000
1,500,000

August 1995,
The reconnaissance phase is scheduled for completion in August 1992. The feasibility study is scheduled for completion in

11

29 JAN 1992