Federal Funds Approved for $25 Million Deadmans Run Flood Reduction Project

LINCOLN, Neb.  – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) has approved the feasibility study to reduce the risk of flooding in Lincoln’s Deadmans Run Watershed, generally between North 33rd and 48^th Streets, just north of the Uinversty of Nebraska - Lincoln's East Campus.  The Deadmans Run Flood Risk Reduction Project would shrink the 100-year floodplain by 250 acres, reducing the risk of flood damage to the area and removing the floodplain designation from approximately 500 structures, mostly homes and businesses.  Federal funding comes after a four-year Section 205 Study of the Deadmans Run Watershed that included public input at open houses and informational meetings. 

Corps approval of the feasibility study means a significant portion of the Deadmans Run Flood Risk Reduction Project is eligible to be federally funded, with the Corps contributing $10 million and the remaining $5 million of the project cost split evenly between the City and LPSNRD.  Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler said, “Completing the feasibility study opens the door to permanently reducing flood risk and eliminating flood insurance costs for North Lincoln residents and businesses around the Deadmans Run watershed.”  Beutler said, “The improvements also put an ‘open for business’ sign on the vacant properties that have been undeveloped for decades due to the high cost of locating buildings in a floodplain.”  The federal project would include:

·         Widening 1.4 miles of the main channel from Cornhusker Highway upstream to 48^th Street;

·         Constructing a concrete flume to convey stormwater under two railroad bridges west of North 33^rd Street;

·         Relocating a State Fair Park access road; and

·         Planting trees and native grasses to ensure no negative environmental impacts.

The City and LPSNRD are also pursuing a local project that is necessary in order to complete the federal project.  The local project will replace Deadmans Run bridges at 33^rd, 38^th and 48^th streets and construct a stormwater detention basin near Flemming Fields at an estimated cost of $10 million.  LPSNRD Board Chair Ray Stevens said, “This joint effort of the Federal government, City of Lincoln and LPSNRD will significantly improve the flood control capabilities of Deadmans Run and reduce the threat of flooding to homes, businesses and the UNL East Campus.”

The tentative schedule for the entire Deadmans Run Flood Risk Reduction Project would be to approve a Project Partnership Agreement with the Corps in 2018, complete final design in 2019, acquire land rights in 2020 and construct the project in 2021 and 2022.  Mayor Beutler said, “We appreciate the years of work the LPSNRD, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the City Watershed Management team have put into addressing the flood threat.  We anxiously look forward to reaping the benefits of a smaller floodplain in North Lincoln.”

The Section 205 Study by the Corps grew from a history of severe flooding in the Deadmans Run watershed.  According to Jeff Bohlken, Corps Project Manager, “A strong partnership developed between the LPSNRD, City, and Corps throughout the study process. We all had a common goal which was to develop a feasible project that would greatly reduce the community’s flood risk and in turn benefit people, homes, local businesses, and the nation.”