PROJECT: Mississippi River Levees, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, and Tennessee

PROJECT MANAGER: Billy Dycus, P.E.

PHONE: (901) 544-3455

FAX: (901) 544-4041

LOCATION: The Mississippi River levee system on the west bank extends from Allenville, Missouri, on the Little River Diversion Channel generally southward to the vicinity of Venice, Louisiana, and on the east bank from Hickman, Kentucky, to opposite Venice, Louisiana, except where interrupted by hills and tributary streams. Included in the system are the levees which protect Mounds, Mound City, and Cairo, Illinois, and the New Madrid Levee and Floodgate.  Click here for location maps.

DESCRIPTION: The plan of improvement provides for raising, strengthening, and in some cases, extending existing levees to provide protection against the project flood. This feature includes l,519.1 miles of levees and 14.8 miles of floodwall. The Mississippi River levee system provides complete protection to 23,600 square miles and partial protection to an additional 3,780 square miles in the alluvial valley subject to flooding by the project flood. The alluvial valley is over 650 miles long and varies in width from 20 to 90 miles. Numerous railroads, highways, and airfields connecting the major transportation centers of New Orleans, Memphis, Cairo, St. Louis, Chicago, and Louisville lie within the protected areas as do several major transcontinental communication routes. In addition to the vast highly developed and productive agricultural areas, the levees afford protection to urban areas and many large and varied industries whose products have a vital bearing on the welfare, economy, and defense capabilities of this country.

AUTHORIZATION: Flood Control Acts of 1928, 1936, 1938, 1941, 1946, 1950, 1954, 1962, 1965, and 1968 and PL 92-222.

STATUS OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT: The final EIS was filed with CEQ on 16 April 1976. A supplement to the 1976 EIS is being prepared and is scheduled to be completed in October 1998.

OTHER INFORMATION: Initial construction funds were appropriated in FY 1928. The scheduled completion date of June 2013 for programmed work is an acceleration from the latest completion date of January 2014 presented to Congress. This change is due to advancing the Mississippi River Levees portion of work necessary to support the St. Johns Bayou and New Madrid Floodway, Missouri project.

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