Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Flood Control topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sioux City presents four levee alternatives for Big Sioux River at Lehi; staff say temporary embankment is lowest-cost near-term option
Summary
City engineers briefed council on four alternatives to extend or harden levee protection near Lehi — from temporary Hesco-basket embankments (estimated $850k–$1M) to a long-term extension to Beck Street that would require acquiring more property and carry far greater cost; staff aim to submit plans to the Corps of Engineers and target construction in spring 2027.
City engineers and consultants presented four alternatives to extend flood protection along the Big Sioux River near the Lehi neighborhood and described trade-offs of cost, constructability and long-term maintenance.
Gordon Fair, city engineer, said the near-term preferred approach (Alternative A) would extend an earthen embankment and rely on temporary Hesco baskets during flood events; it is the least-cost near-term option, with staff estimating a construction cost in the range of about $850,000 to $1,000,000 at current rates. Fair said the city previously used Hesco units and sandfill during the 2024 flood, and the proposed embankment would shorten the temporary closure and be extensible in the future.
Consultant Kevin Bruce reviewed Alternatives B, C and D. Alternative B would place a small concrete/bulkhead-style wall at some driveways and require permanent easements for maintenance. Alternative C would put a combined embankment and flood wall behind homes but faces geotechnical and right-of-way constraints and risks to certain outbuildings such as pools. Alternative D is the most comprehensive solution — extending protection to Beck Street — but would require additional property acquisition and carry the highest upfront cost.
Council members asked about liability for properties behind walls, the Corps of Engineers review, and realistic funding and timeline. City staff said the design is at roughly 50% and the project will require Corps coordination and hydraulic analysis; they suggested submitting to the Corps late in the year to pursue construction in spring 2027, subject to federal review timelines. One council member urged considering the long-term fix now rather than repeating temporary responses.
Next steps: staff will refine cost estimates, coordinate with the Corps of Engineers for permitting and hydraulic review, and return to council with recommended alternative(s) and funding options for decision.
