The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Omaha District has awarded a US$12 million contract to Newt Marine Services of Dubuque for a second initial breach repair to Levee L575 to protect critical infrastructure along the Missouri River near Hamburg, Iowa.
The purpose of the breach repair is to provide temporary flood protection at the specified breach area of the levee, which has suffered extensive damage during this year's high runoff event.
The repairs will also reduce the risk of flooding during normal storm events before the rest of the levees can be evaluated and repaired, Omaha District System Restoration Team project manager Jeremy Szynsie confirmed.
In parallel to the repair efforts, the Omaha District has begun planning of the permanent levee repairs to bring the levees damaged by the March flood to the same level of authorised flood risk reduction that the systems had prior to the flood.
The USACE expects that the majority of the breach repair fill material will be dredged from the riverbank near the site.
The work is anticipated to be completed by 80 calendar days after notice-to-proceed.
