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Atchison monitors river, closes Riverfront Trail as cold snap worsens
Summary
City manager says Corps of Engineers is releasing water to prevent ice jams; section of Riverfront Trail closed after bank settling and engineering work recommended.
Atchison City Manager Mark Westhoff warned the Atchison City Commission that the city is monitoring extra river releases by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and has closed a section of the Riverfront Trail because of a settling riverbank and public-safety concerns.
The closure affects the trail segment next to Commercial Street, where Westhoff said engineers recommend a soil-nail retaining wall and re-sloping. "This section remains closed to the public for safety reasons," Westhoff said. He added the Corps has been "continuing to release extra water to try to break up and prevent ice jams." Westhoff said an ice jam already exists upstream and that conditions could worsen in the next few days while temperatures remain well below freezing.
The nut graf: The combination of record cold, active river releases and a settling bank has forced short-term closures and could require activation of backup systems to protect property and public safety. If conditions do not improve with warmer weather, the city said it may need to run an auxiliary pump at the riverfront.
City staff told commissioners they have spoken with the Corps and had a private engineering firm conduct a preliminary survey of the bank. The firm’s recommendation — installing a soil-nail retaining wall and re-sloping the riverfront — will come with cost estimates for commission consideration. Westhoff said the city will coordinate further with the Corps of Engineers before deciding how to proceed.
The cold snap also is limiting routine maintenance and response options: Westhoff said city salt mixtures are not working as expected in the extreme cold and that many streets remain snow packed until traffic or sunlight increases temperatures. Commissioner Murphy praised crews for their work during the storm, saying, "I think the roads are in excellent shape for what we've had. I think you guys have done a really wonderful job of that."
The commission and staff said they will continue to monitor river levels, public access to the trail and any need for additional equipment. The city did not provide a timeline to reopen the closed trail segment.
Ending: City officials said they will share more detailed cost estimates and timelines after the engineering firm finalizes its estimate and after further coordination with the Corps of Engineers. In related business, local USD 409 announced school closures for 02/19/2025 because of the cold; the city also reported that city court is canceled for that date.
