Valdosta and Army Corps of Engineers in Flood Risk Management Study

First public update since May: Valdosta has had several recent meetings with other governmental groups and has agreed to co-fund a flooding study by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

WCTV has also picked up Valdosta PR 23 July 2013, City Enters Agreement with USACE for Flood Risk Management Study,

The City of Valdosta hosted a Regional Flood Preparedness meeting with the Georgia Silver Jackets on June 25—a continuation of discussions that began earlier in the year focused on regional interests and on maximizing area resources.

Representatives from the cities of Moultrie, Sylvester, Tifton and Valdosta and from the counties of Lowndes and Turner attended the meeting to discuss current and future flood monitoring and forecasting issues throughout the Little River and Withlacoochee River watersheds. These two watersheds are part of the overall Suwannee Basin that is approximately 10,000 square miles in Georgia and Florida.

Among other information shared, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) /National Weather Service presented information on storm preparedness resources, rain and stream gage networks, flood categories, and monitoring programs such as Water Alerts and Water Now.

As a result of the collaboration of agencies and resources, additional progress includes:

  • On July 10, representatives from the Georgia and Florida Silver Jackets, City of Valdosta and the Suwannee River Water Management District met in Live Oak, Fla. to begin outlining problems and opportunities for the Suwannee Basin.
  • On July 15, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) finalized its $150,000 agreement with the City of Valdosta to participate in the Planning Assistance to States program. This 50/50 cost share project will enable the USACE to conduct a flood risk management study for the confluence of the Sugar Creek and Withlacoochee River.
  • On July 17, members of the USACE visited Valdosta to tour the areas in the city prone to flood events.
  • The flood risk management study is scheduled to be completed by November 2013 and is the first step toward identifying the causes so that short and long term plans can be developed to resolve the flooding problems in our area.

City leadership is committed to working with representatives from key local, state and federal agencies to address and provide solutions for the regional stormwater issue that creates flooding in our city and surrounding communities in both Georgia and Florida.

For more information, please contact the Public Information Office at (229) 259-3548.

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