Nashville District Seeks Public Input for Flood Risk Management Study

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District, is preparing an environmental assessment in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, and is seeking public comment for a flood risk management study for the Cumberland River, Browns Creek, Richland Creek and Whites Creek.

Comments are encouraged concerning social and environmental issues, to include cultural resources that may exist in these waterways and shorelines, and plans or proposals for any other development that may impact or influence these areas.

For the Cumberland River, the study covers areas impacted by backwater from the river. The feasibility report will describe flood risk reduction alternatives in Davidson County and Nashville, Tenn. The study includes an update of hydrology and hydraulic models, inventory of floodplain structures, evaluation of flood risk reduction measures, and conclusions and recommendations.

On May 1-2, 2010, record-breaking rains struck Middle Tennessee, with local rain totals up to 16 inches. It resulted in widespread, devastating flash flooding on creeks and unprecedented flooding along area rivers. The Cumberland River’s highest stage in downtown Nashville exceeded the regulated flood of record by more than four feet. There were 11 fatalities in Davidson County including four on Richland Creek and one on White’s Creek. Property damage exceeded $2 billion.

A no-action alternative and various action alternatives will be evaluated in this study. No action means that no construction actions or changes to plans will be taken.

Types of action alternatives that will be evaluated include detention structures within or adjacent to streams to detain run-off water flows, fill removal and channel modification to pass higher flows, bridge modifications, high-flow diversions, levees and flood walls, non-structural measures (actions such as raising a home’s first-floor elevation, demolish and replace options, commercial flood proofing, and floodplain evacuations) for both residential and commercial structures, and a flood warning and emergency evacuation plan.

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Press Release, August 1, 2014