Lincoln, Nebraska Flood-Control Project Gets a Workout

June 3, 2013

Lincoln, Neb.’s Antelope Valley flood-control project got a workout with recent heavy rains, but diverted water as it was designed to do, officials said.

The water that poured into the channel on the night of May 29 likely was the most it has held in the five years since it was completed, Jerry Shorney, Lincoln’s assistant director of park operation, told the Lincoln Journal Star.

The street improvement and flood-control project is intended to reduce flooding in downtown Lincoln. It includes six miles of roads, 12 street bridges, three rail bridges and three pedestrian bridges. The project spanned the terms of four mayors and cost an estimated $246 million. It is designed to channel water through plant beds and bike paths, then into a dam-like structure.

Shorney said it did, and was back to its normal level before more heavy rains swept through on May 30.

“I think it served its purpose very well,” Shorney said.

Across the city, homeowners are still cleaning up from the heavy rains and some flash flooding that left water in basements.

The Lincoln Airport recorded more than 2 inches of rain on May 29, and the city’s rain gauge has surpassed 6 inches since May 27. May ranked among the wettest Mays in Lincoln history.

Normal average rainfall for the month is 4.29 inches.

Topics Flood

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