USACE begins emergency work on Village Creek Levee near Newport

— The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Little Rock District will begin emergency reinforcements this week on the Village Creek Levee near Newport, Arkansas after storms and flooding last spring caused damage.

Rising river levels and the potential for heavy spring rainfall are prompting the emergency action. District teams are monitoring an erosion area on the levee and emergency work is expected to take about two weeks.

The Village Creek Levee protects more than 650 people, as well as 400 buildings valued at over $60 million and more than 12,000 acres of farmland estimated to produce over $250 million in farm goods annually.

The Tennessee Valley Authority will carry out the construction work under the direction of the Little Rock District. Work includes placing additional soil, reinforcing eroded sections and strengthening the levee to restore its ability to reduce flood risk.

USACE is coordinating the work with the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management and working with Jackson County Judge Jeff Phillips and the Village Creek Levee District to secure access for construction.

For more information, contact the Little Rock District Public Affairs Office at 501-324-5551.

More information can be found on the Internet at www.swl.usace.army.mil, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/littlerockusace and on the USACE Little Rock water level mobile app at www.swl.usace.army.mil/Home/water-control-app/.