THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, OMAHA DISTRICT, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH UNION COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA HAVE SIGNED A FEDERAL COST SHARE AGREEMENT THAT FORMALLY BEGINS A FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT FEASIBILITY STUDY FOCUSED ALONG THE LOWER BIG SIOUX RIVER IN SOUTHEASTERN SOUTH DAKOTA AND NORTHWEST IOWA.
THE PROJECT WILL EXPLORE POTENTIAL WAYS TO BETTER PROTECT THE PEOPLE, HOMES, BUSINESSES, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND AGRICULTURAL LAND IN THE AREA FROM FLOODING.
UNION COUNTY INITIALLY REQUESTED THE PARTNERSHIP IN 2025 AND WILL SERVE AS A NON-FEDERAL SPONSOR, WITH LOCAL SUPPORT FROM NORTH SIOUX CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA, AND THE DAKOTA DUNES COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT.
THE STUDY IS EXPECTED TO TAKE APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS TO COMPLETE.
COMMUNITIES ALONG THE LOWER BIG SIOUX RIVER EXPERIENCED RECORD FLOODING IN JUNE OF 2024 THAT CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO INFRASTRUCTURE AND PROPERTY, PLUS SEVERE EROSION.
THE STUDY AREA INCLUDES THE LOWER BIG SIOUX RIVER WATERSHED STARTING WHERE THE RIVER VALLEY OPENS UP ONTO THE MISSOURI RIVER FLOOD PLAIN NEAR RICHLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA DOWNSTREAM TO THE CONFLUENCE WITH THE MISSOURI RIVER.
APPROXIMATELY 12,000 PEOPLE ARE PRESENT IN THE AREA DURING THE DAY, ALONG WITH MORE THAN 4,000 RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, AND PUBLIC STRUCTURES.
THE AREA INCLUDES INTERSTATE 29 AND THE BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE RAILWAY AS WELL AS TENS OF THOUSANDS OF ACRES OF CROPLAND.
THE FIRST PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE MEETING WILL BE HELD IN NORTH SIOUX CITY IN LATE OCTOBER.
2024 FILE PHOTO
