Multiple issues along the Lower Missouri River’s navigation channel are under repair by the Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps’ Kansas City District is addressing priority areas of concern and the damages to river structures that have accumulated during nearly three years of high water.
An extended period of high water on the Lower Missouri River, including devastating flooding in 2019, damaged 50-75 percent of the 7,000 river training structures that make up the Bank Stabilization and Navigation Project. The damage caused navigation restrictions as the river returned to normal levels this summer.
A District official says USACE is addressing the restrictions and restoring the channel to its nine-foot depth. However, officials say there is insufficient funding to repair all the structures damaged by the 2019 flood.
Lack of funding is impacting the ability to make the repairs, and officials say time will be necessary for the structures to fully scour the channel to return it to its authorized nine-foot by 300-foot condition.
