Study Background
The city of Springfield, Missouri, and the Little Rock District, US Army Corps of Engineers are partnering in a feasibility study of the Jordan Creek watershed for the purposes of flood damage reduction and ecosystem restoration. The $3 million, 50-50 cost-shared feasibility study began in May 2004 with the signing of a feasibility cost sharing agreement between the Corps and Springfield. The study will define problems and opportunities, describe and evaluate alternative plans, and identify a recommended plan for construction. It will take over four years to complete the study.

If a plan is found to be economically justified (for ecosystem restoration, the value of outputs must equal their costs), environmentally acceptable, based on sound engineering principles, and acceptable to the city with Federal and local sponsor funding obtained, the project can proceed to design. Following Congressional authorization and funding for the project, a project cooperation agreement would be signed between the Corps and Springfield, to allow for construction of the project.

Jordan Creek has flooded many times. During the flood of July 2000, there were an estimated $1.85 million in flood damages including the interruption of traffic on main city thoroughfares and rail lines. The existing channels and covered conduits are inadequate to carry a flow that has increased with the growing development in the Jordan Creek watershed. Flood control measures to be considered include structure relocations, detention ponds, open channels, and in congested areas, enlarging underground culverts.

July 2000 Flood Photos - Click on the thumbnails to see a larger photo.

Likewise, development along Jordan Creek has decreased riparian habitat and water quality. Opportunities exist to restore ecosystem habitat and improve water quality by measures such as constructed wetlands, water quality sediment basins, and riparian enlargement. In conjunction with ecosystem restoration and flood damage reduction, increased recreation opportunities such as hiking or biking trails could be considered.

Current Status
The Springfield, Missouri, Jordan Creek Watershed project is in the second of a two-phase study process. The first phase, a Reconnaissance Study, was completed in January 2003, which concluded that a federal project could potentially solve the problems identified in the Jordan Creek Watershed. As a result, the Feasibility Study was initiated in May 2004 with the signing of a Feasibility Cost Sharing Agreement. The study will be accomplished according to the Corps of Engineers 6-step planning process:

· Specify Problems and Opportunities
· Inventory and Forecast Conditions
· Formulate Alternative Plans
· Evaluate Effects of Alternative Plans
· Compare Alternative Plans
· Select Recommended Plan

The six steps provide a framework for planning and are not necessarily sequential. We are currently working within the first three steps.

Surveys were mailed to residences within the floodplain to obtain information regarding value of property and their potential flood damages. Similarly, surveys are being mailed to the businesses and industry to determine flood damages that might occur and that might be prevented with a flood protection project. The depth, extent, and frequency of existing conditions flooding is being determined. When plans are developed, we will compute the reduction in damages that would occur with each plan. The plans would then be compared based on their costs. Environmental investigations are underway to determine whether any environmental cleanup would need to be done prior to project construction.

A public scoping meeting is a critical part of these first steps in the planning process. The public was invited to assist in specifying problems and opportunities related to flood damage reduction and ecosystem restoration. The public is requested to provide information on the existing conditions, anticipated future activities, and inventory of the floodplain and watershed. Public views and comments are integral to the process of developing and comparing the plans (including the no-action plan to which all plans are compared) to address the identified problems and opportunities. Conceptual plans have been developed to start the process of compiling ideas to solve the flood damage and ecosystem restoration problems that have been identified to-date. The public scoping meeting was held on October 26, 2004, from 5 to 7 pm, at the Ozarks Technical Community College, Information Commons West Room 100B (1001 E Brower).

Review Plan
The Review Plan was approved by Southwestern Division on April 27, 2010. The Review Plan presents the process for agency technical review (ATR) and independent external peer review (IEPR) for the Jordan Creek, Springfield, Missouri, feasibility study. These review processes are essential to improving the quality of our products.

Contact Information
Comments, questions, or concerns may be mailed to:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock
Attention: Julia Smethurst
P.O. Box 867
Little Rock, Arkansas, 72203-0867
Email: ceswl-pm-smfs@usace.army.mil