# LEVEE OWNER’S MANUAL

FOR



# NON-FEDERAL

FLOOD CONTROL WORKS

THE REHABILITATION AND INSPECTION

PROGRAM

PUBLIC LAW 84-99

MARCH 2006 US Army Corps of Engineers ®ii 

## IMPORTANT QUICK REFERENCE INFORMATION

CONCERNING THIS PROJECT:

1. PROJECT NAME:

_______________________________________________________

2. IDENTIFICATION NUMBER/CWIS NUMBER: ______________________________

3. RIVER: _________________________________________________________________

4. PROJECT LOCATION

CITY/COUNTY: _________________________________________________________

TOWNSHIP/SECTION: ___________________________________________________

5. PUBLIC SPONSOR: ______________________________________________________

6. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS DISTRICT OFFICE

LOCATION: ____________________________________________________________

TELEPHONE NUMBER: _________________________________________________

7. EMERGENCY POINT OF CONTACT FO R THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS

NAME: _________________________________________________________________

TELEPHONE NUMBER: _________________________________________________

CELL PHONE NUMBER: _________________________________________________

8. COUNTY EMERGENCY OPE RATIONS CENTER: __________________________

9. STATE EMERGENCY OPER ATIONS CENTER: ____________________________iiiii 

## PREFACE

This manual was written specifically for the local, state, or tribal governments that have the primary responsibility for operating an d maintaining flood control works. The intent of the document is to provide you, the public s ponsor of a flood control system, with some clear and comprehensive guidance on the opera tion and maintenance of levees, floodwalls,

and other flood control structures . It describes how to plan a nd prepare for high water, and lays out steps to take during emergencies that will help reduce the thr eat of flooding. It also touches upon other related components of a co mplete flood protection program, such as how you might promote public awaren ess of local flood issues.

In addition to providing recommendations on how to make your flood control programs more effective, this manual also explains the types of assistance that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can provide to a community before, during, and after a flood. We hope the information presented will make the emergency programs we administer more clear and

accessible.

One of these programs referenced throughout this manual is th e Rehabilitation and Inspection Program. Through this program, th e Corps helps communities rehabilitate flood control projects that become dama ged in a flood. These types of repa irs are often so costly that they would be difficult for a community to complete without assistance from the federal government. In order for communities to participat e and benefit from this program, they need to properly maintain the flood control project an d prepare for high water. One of the primary purposes of this manual is to clearly explai n the minimum requirements that the Corps has established for participation in this program. Th e Corps will verify that the basic requirements are met through routine in spections. These inspections are no t intended to be a burden, but to help you identify pot ential problems and properly maintain your infrastructu re so that your community is better protected from floods.

Without a firm understanding of the details or requirements of a flood control system, many people tend to take the protection provi ded by the flood control project for granted.

Floodwalls tend to blend in with the scenery in industrial area s and levee slopes are used for concerts and picnics. While there isn’t anythi ng wrong with this, it makes it easy to lose sight of the true significance of these structures. Ther e are intricacies to these systems that require detailed knowledge for operation and maintenance, and many tasks that need to be carefully coordinated during high water. A flood protection system simply cannot be relied upon if it hasn’t been properly maintained or if people aren’t trained and ready to operate it during high

water.

As a public sponsor of a flood control proj ect, you should be prep ared to carry out maintenance activities on your flood control structures every year. Regular maintenance is critical, because many types of problems will escalate exponentially when left unchecked. There are many ongoing requirements of which you should be aware. For example, debris and unwanted growth needs to be removed from lev ees, riprap, the areas adjacent to floodwalls, and from channels. An animal control program is needed on levees, an d any burrows that areiv found need to be filled properly. Metal gates a nd other components need to be painted and greased periodically. Concrete damage needs to be identified and repaired early or it will get worse, especially in northern climates where freeze-thaw da mage becomes a factor. Beyond these examples of ongoing maintenance, there are also more significant repairs that will be necessary from time to time. Sometimes, you ma y have to add stone to control an erosion problem, or do some major earthwork to repa ir an embankment. Metal culverts running through a levee will have to be completely repl aced from time to time, because they typically don’t last more than about fifty years. Pump sta tions also need to be completely overhauled periodically. Don’t let these larg er repairs take you by surprise, as they are to be routinely expected in any project, and you can plan for them in advance.

You can also plan and prepare for what you are going to do when there is high water. A listing of the various activities you might have to coordinate is presented in this manual, but this list is not exhaustive, a nd it is not designed to be used by itself. As the public sponsor, you are responsible for developing and maintaining a basic flood response plan. You may wish to start with the general information presented here, but a lot of details such as likely location of sand boils, key personnel, and th e location of closings, gates and other important project features should be collected and clearly docum ented in one place. Plans need to be tested, personnel need to be trained; and necessary supplies such as sandbags and plastic sheeting need to be maintained for emergency use.

The proper operation and main tenance of a flood control sy stem is a challenging and complex responsibility, but is vital to communities that have been constructed within the flood plain. When the water rises, it can be quite s obering when one realizes that the river on the other side of a floodwall or levee is actually flowing above the ground level, and that a simple wall or levee is the only thing keeping it from crashing down and filling your streets. This is when all of your maintenance and vigilant preparation pays off.v 

## ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This publication is the collaborative effort of all Corps divisions and districts, largely written and compiled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Office of Homeland Security, Emergency Management Branch in Washington, DC. Special thanks go to the Department of Environmental Protection in the State of Pennsyl vania for allowing the Corps to use material from their Handbooks for Operat ing, Maintaining, and Monitoring Flood Protection Projects. We would like to thank all of the state agen cies and public sponsors of flood control works

that have contributed to the material presented.vi 

## TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Purpose of This Manual.............................................................................................. 1 1.2 Scope of This Manual................................................................................................. 1 1.3 Supporting and Related La ws and Regulations .......................................................... 1 1.4 Reproduction............................................................................................................... 3

1.5 Future Revisions ......................................................................................................... 3

1.6 Disclaimer................................................................................................................. .. 3

2. MAINTENANCE OF PROJECT FEATURES ..................................................... 5

2.1 Introduction............................................................................................................... .. 5 2.2 Erosion (Applicable to all FCWs) .............................................................................. 6 2.3 Encroachments (Applicable to all FCWs) .................................................................. 7 2.4 Slope Stability (Applicable to all FCWs) ................................................................... 9 2.5 Removal of Debris (App licable to all FCWs) .......................................................... 11 2.6 Animal Control (Applicable to all FCWs)................................................................ 11 2.7 Riprap Revetments and Banks (Applicable to all FCWs) ........................................ 13 2.8 Vegetation (Levee Specific) ..................................................................................... 16 2.9 Cracking (Levee Specific) ........................................................................................ 18 2.10 Ruts and Depressions (Levee Specific) .................................................................... 19 2.11 Underseepage Control Berms (Levee Specific)........................................................ 20 2.12 Excavations (Levee Specific) ................................................................................... 20 2.13 Utilities (Levee Specific).......................................................................................... 20 2.14 Underseepage Relief Wells/ Toe Drai nage (Levees and Floodwalls) ...................... 21 2.15 Seepage/ Sandboils (Levees and Floodwalls)........................................................... 21 2.16 Closure Structures (L evees and Floodwalls) ............................................................ 22 2.17 Concrete Surfaces (Applicable to all concrete structures)........................................ 22 2.18 Tilting, Sliding, and Settlement (Appli cable to all Concrete Structures) ................. 25 2.19 Vegetation (Floodwall specific)................................................................................ 26 2.20 Internal Drainage Systems ........................................................................................ 26 2.21 Pump Stations ........................................................................................................... 31

2.22 Flood Control Rivers and Channels.......................................................................... 32

2.23 Concrete Lined Channels.......................................................................................... 33

2.24 Debris Basins ............................................................................................................ 3 3 2.25 Floodways................................................................................................................. 34

3. FLOOD PREPAREDNESS ................................................................................... 35

3.1 Flood Fight Equipment and Supplies........................................................................ 35

3.2 Plans...................................................................................................................... .... 38 3.3 Training and Exercises.............................................................................................. 40

3.4 Relations with Local and State Partners ................................................................... 41vii 4. ACTIONS DURING HIGH WATER EVENTS.................................................. 43

4.1 Phase I: Preliminary Response Activities................................................................. 43 4.2 Phase II: Full Response Activities............................................................................ 49

4.3 Evacuation Plans....................................................................................................... 50

4.4 After the Event.......................................................................................................... 51

5. ADDITIONAL SPONSOR RESPONSIBILITIES.............................................. 53

5.1 Annual Pre-Flood-Season Inspections...................................................................... 53

5.2 Public Awareness Activities ..................................................................................... 53 5.3 Awareness of Adjacent Systems............................................................................... 54

5.4 Permits .................................................................................................................... .. 54

5.5 Records .................................................................................................................... . 55

6. REHABILITATION AND INSPECTION PROGRAM (RIP) .......................... 57

6.1 Overview of the Rehabilitation and Inspection Program.......................................... 57 6.2 Projects that Qualify ................................................................................................. 58

7. CORPS INSPECTIONS......................................................................................... 61

7.1 Entering the RIP – The Initial Eligibility Inspection (IEI) ....................................... 61 7.2 Maintaining Active Status – Continui ng Eligibility Inspections (CEIs) .................. 62 7.3 Inspection Methodology ........................................................................................... 63

8. REHABILITATION ASSISTANCE..................................................................... 65

8.1 Requesting Rehabilitation Assistance....................................................................... 65 8.2 Requirements for Receiving Rehabilitation Assistance............................................ 65 8.3 Cooperation Agreements .......................................................................................... 66

8.4 Nonstructural Alternativ es to Rehabilitation ............................................................ 69

9. OTHER TYPES OF ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS EMERGENCY

ASSISTANCE ......................................................................................................... 71

9.1 Technical Assistance................................................................................................. 71

9.2 Direct Assistance ...................................................................................................... 72

9.3 Advance Measures Assistance.................................................................................. 72

9.4 Post Flood Assistance ............................................................................................... 73 9.5 Emergency Water Assistance ................................................................................... 73viii 

## APPENDICES

APPENDIX A: Acronyms and Definitions
APPENDIX B: Flowchart of RIP Elegibility a nd Inspection Processes for Non-Federal FCWs
APPENDIX C: FCW Inspection Guide
APPENDIX D: Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees
APPENDIX E: Rehabilitation Request Form
APPENDIX F: Cooperation Agreement for Reha bilitation of Non-Federal Flood Control Works
APPENDIX G: Cooperation Agreement for Flood Fight
APPENDIX H: Cooperation Agreement for Advance Measures Assistance

APPENDIX I: Useful Internet Addresses1 

## 1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Purpose of This Manual The purpose of this manual is to provide pub lic sponsors of non-Fede rally constructed and maintained flood control projects with a singl e reference that descri bes proper operation and maintenance of flood control projects, and out lines the types of assistance the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can provide before, during, and after a flood. This manual provides information regarding the Corps’ Rehabilitation and Inspection Program (RIP), and explains the minimum standards for operation and mainte nance that the Corps re quires of non-federal flood control projects, in order for them to be el igible for the Corp’s rehabilitation assistance after a flood. However, since the procedures de scribed are considered to be the minimum guidelines for proper maintenance of any flo od control project, th e manual is a useful reference for all public sponsors of flood contro l projects regardless of their status or

involvement in the RIP.

1.2 Scope of This Manual

This Levee Owner's Manual is intended for general use by public sponsors of existing non-federally constructed flood control works (FCWs) throughout the United States. Because of the wide range of FCWs, from small channels to large levees, it doesn’t cover the detailed operation and maintenance of all project-specific features or the necessary steps to respond to specific situations such as ice jam flooding. Al so, it only covers the operation and maintenance of FCWs that are already completed, rather than the engineering de sign and construction of new ones or new modifications. Corps inspections may address specific features that aren’t specifically covered in this manual. For s upplementary information on the operations and maintenance of Corps programs, specific features of your project, or spec ific situations, please contact your Corps district’s Emergency Management Office.

1.3 Supporting and Related Laws and Regulations In addition to presenting practic al guidance on the operation and maintenance of flood control projects, this manual gathers t ogether a lot of information fr om official laws and Corps regulations. Though every effort was made to pr esent this information as accurately as possible, this manual itself is not meant to esta blish policy or official guidance. For additional details on the policies described and to find the actual wording given in the laws and regulations summarized in this manual, the reader is referred to the following documents: The publication of this manual was directed by Public Law 104- 303, the Water Resources Develop ment Act of 1996. It covers more than just levees, but it’s called a Levee Owner’s Manual because of the statutory wording in this law.2 a. Public Law (PL) 84-99 This is the federal law which gives the Corps the legal authority to supplement local efforts in the repair of flood control proj ects that are damaged by floods. It can be

found on the web at http://uscode.house.gov . Click on the link to “Search the US Code.” Search for title “33” and chapter “ 15”. Look through the search results, and the

current form of PL 84-99 will be listed as 33 USC 701n.

b. Title 33, Code of Federal Regu lations, Part 203 (33 CFR 203) This federal regulation establishes the Re habilitation and Inspection Program (RIP), describes the types of assistance the Corp s can provide, and describes the general operation, maintenance, and disaster preparedne ss that is expected of non-federal flood

control works. The current version of th e CFR can be accessed through the CFR main

page, http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html Select “Browse and/or search the CFR,” then scroll down to the current vers ion of Title 33, (Navigation and Navigable Waters). Browse parts 200- 399; then open part 203.

c. Title 33, Code of Federal Regulati ons, Part 208 (33 CFR Part 208): This federal regulation provides more specific details on the operation and maintenance required of Federally constr ucted FCWs. This regulation provides a guideline for O&M, but doesn ’t provide the level of de tail regarding specific requirements that the Levee Owner’s manual does. The current version of the CFR can be accessed through the CFR main page, http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html Select “Browse and/or search the CFR,” then

scroll down to the current version of T itle 33, (Navigation and Navigable Waters). Browse parts 200-399; then open part 208.

d. Engineer Regulation (ER) 500-1-1 This Corps-wide regulation expands on the pr eviously mentioned laws and regulations, provides basic information on the Corps’ implementation of Public Law 84-99. Chapter 5 of ER 500-1-1 details the RIP progr am. Any discrepancies or conflicts that

occur between the Levee Owner's Manual and ER 500-1-1 will be resolved based on

the content of ER 500-1-1. This document can be found on the web at http://www.usace.army.mil/inet/usace-docs/eng-regs/er500-1-1/toc.htm

e. Engineer Pamphlet (EP) 500-1-1 This Corps-wide pamphlet provides further detail on how the ER will be applied practically. It establishes the Inspection Guide and other applicable forms that are listed in the appendices to this manual. A ny discrepancies or conflicts that occur between the Levee Owner's Manual and any EP or ER will be resolved based on the content of the ER or EP, and any discrepanc ies or conflicts that occur between the EP

and the ER will be resolved based on the content of the ER. EP 500-1-1 can be found

on the web at http://www.usace.army.mil/inet/usace-docs/eng-pamphlets/ep500-1-

1/toc.htm3 f. Engineer Manual (EM) 1110-2-1913 This manual provides the Corps of Engineer ’s guidelines for engineering design and

construction of levees. The document can be found at http://www.usace.army.mil/inet/usace-docs/eng-manuals/em1110-2-1913/toc.htm

g. Engineer Manual (EM) 1110-2-301 This manual provides guidelines for landscape planting at Floodwalls, Levees, and Embankment Dams. This document provides additional clarification as to which types of vegetation are acceptable on and around flood control works. This can be found at http://www.usace.army.mil/inet/usace-docs/eng-manuals/em1110-2-301/toc.htm

h. Engineer Manual (EM) 1110-2-2705 This manual provides guidance on the design of closure structures for local flood control projects. It can be found on the web at http://www.usace.army.mil/inet/usace-docs/eng-manuals/em1110-2-2705/toc.htm

i. Engineer Manual (EM) 1110-2-1205 This manual provides information regard ing environmental engineering for flood

control channels. This EM can be found at http://www.usace.army.mil/publications/eng-manuals/em1110-2-1205/toc.htm

1.4 Reproduction The material presented is not c opyrighted and can be reproduced as needed. This and similar

materials can be downloaded from http://www.usace.army.mil/inet/functions/cw/cecwhs/em/fcw/fcw.html Send inquiries to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters, Emergency Management Branch, 441 G St NW, Washington, DC, 20314. Send inquiries to CECW-HS@USACE.ARMY.MIL The Corp’s 24- hour emergency telephone number is 202-761-1001.

1.5 Future Revisions

There are no scheduled future revisions of th is manual. However, as Corps districts and divisions revise and improve upon various sections of this te xt, it is requested that these revisions be provided to the Office of Homeland Security in Corps Headquarters, so that the most current and accurate information can be presented on the Corps website and shared with other districts. The Corps would also make us e of any updated or corrected information when compiling similar manuals in the future.

1.6 Disclaimer Nothing in this manual creates any liability of the United States or its officers or employees for the recovery of damages caused by an action or failure to act; or relieves the owner or operator of a Flood Control Work of any legal duty, obligation or liability incident to the ownership or operation of the Flood Control Work.4 This page intentionally left blank.5 

## 2. MAINTENANCE OF PROJECT FEATURES

2.1 Introduction All flood control works (FCWs) must be proper ly maintained to provide the protection for which they were designed. Remember that as the public sponsor, you are solely responsible for ensuring that the FCW is properly maintained and will protect the lives and property of your families, friends, and taxpayers. Even if you have sub-agreements with local landowners who routinely perform project maintenance, th ese landowners are not ultimately responsible for the operations and maintenance of the FC W. If landowners fail to perform needed

maintenance or correct deficiencies on their property, it’s your duty to ensure that the maintenance and repairs are completed. Proper ma intenance of the FCW must be taken very seriously, and local plans and budg ets need to be structured so that the maintenance of each project feature is carried out on a regular and continual basis. In addition to providing for usual operations and maintenance expenses, th is budget needs to account for the replacement of more expensive project components such as pumps, motors, gates, and corrugated metal pipes as they age and come to the end of their design life.

This chapter identifies many of the activities that are necessary to maintain flood control works. The following sections provide main tenance recommendations, requirements, and examples of the types of deficiencies that will reduce the project’s eligib ility status within the Rehabilitation and Inspection Program (RIP), wh ich is described in chapter 6. To avoid confusion between the baseline requirements that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has

established for inclusion in the RIP and the a dditional suggestions and recommendations that are provided in this chapter, pl ease refer to the Co rps’ Inspection Guide, found in Appendix C. The Inspection Guide is used in Corps inspectio ns of all non-Federally constructed FCWs, and lists the specific requirements for inclusion in the RIP. This listing is not all-inclusive and some Corps districts may specify additional requirements based on local conditions. More information on Corps inspections is provided in chapter 7.

Note that many of the pictures in this chapter are labeled with the words “ ACCEPTABLE ”,

“ MINIMALLY ACCEPTABLE ” and “ UNACCEPTABLE .” The ratings are provided here along with the pictures in order to give you a bette r understanding of the st andards that the Corps uses while inspecting flood control works acros s the country. The ratings given are the ones that a Corps inspector might assign to the proj ect feature if it was observed during a routine inspection. A definition of these rati ngs is provided in chapter 7.6 Figure 2.3 Slope failure on bank

p rotection project. (WA) Figure 2.1 UNACCEPTABLE erosion of levee slope. (TX)

Figure 2.2 Flood damage. (WA) 2.2 Erosion (Applicable to all FCWs)

a. Types of Erosion There are several types of erosion that effect FCWs. For example, the slopes of any embankment can become eroded from rain runoff, as shown in Figure 2.1 or by embankment overtopping, as in Figure 2.2. Depending on the extent of the erosion, the level of protection provided by the FCW can be significantly

reduced. In cases of em bankment overtopping during a flood, there may be a total failure of the

structure.

A second type of erosion often seen on embankments is wave wash. Under high water conditions, wave action can form long terraces along the length of the embankment slopes. If additional material or bank protection is not provided, the

embankment will continue to cave as the waves work their way farther into the slope. Further

discussion on the treatment of wave wash is provided in Appendix D of this manual.

A third type of embankmen t erosion is caused by

the flow of water within a river or channel. These flows can erode a channel bank or levee, or

undermine other flood contro l structures and cause them to cave into the water. Bank caving or stream bank erosion can be a very serious threat to the stability of an FCW. It’s critical that the riverward bank be inspected for bank caving or erosion. If the river or stream bank erosion or caving is observed to be moving in the direction of a levee or floodwall, immediate action should be taken to

stabilize the banks.

b. Repair of Areas Damaged by Erosion All erosion gullies like those pictured in 2.1 need to be repaired to prevent further erosion and more significant damage during high water. The ground

should be scarified and backfilled with the same type of material that the levee is made of. The backfill material should generally be placed in 6 inch layers and compacted mechanically or by hand, in order to rest ore the original sh ape of the levee. Additionally, since this eros ion is typically a reoccurr ing problem, something should be done to improve the drainage and prevent further erosion in th e area. Consideration7 should be given to installing drainage channe ls or appropriately sized rock, and areas of the levee that remain exposed should be reseeded and mulched. Please refer to section 2.7, below, for details on the placement of riprap. In extreme cases of channel/ bank erosion, a relocation or setback of the levee may be the only economical solution.

2.3 Encroachments (Applicable to all FCWs) Excavations, structures, or other obstructions present within the project easement area are generally prohibited. Fencing that prohibits access along the crow n of the levee is prohibited. Where access control is needed, the public s ponsor should install gates that will allow continued access along the crown of the levee for surveillance and flood fight activities. The Corps may make certain exceptions to this ru le, provided the encroach ment does not impact the operation, maintenance, or structural integrity of the project. Figures 2.5 through 2.14 are examples of common encroachments that should not be permitted.

Figure 2.4 A CCEPTABLE. Landowner has not encroached on levee easement area and has stayed back 10 - 15 feet. (MN) Figure 2.5 MINIMALLY A CCEPTABLE. Field

encroaches on levee easement. The landowner has tilled the soil right to to e of the levee, and was requested to stay back at least 10 feet. (ND)

Figure 2.6 UNACCEPTABLE levee encroachments. This landowner tilled near one third of the way up the landward levee slope. (MN)8 Figure 2.10 UNACCEPTABLE, unapproved

encroachment. Material st ockpiled against the levee. (OK)

Figure 2.14 UNACCEPTABLE encroachment. Patio construction using railway timbers and fill without approval. (ND) Figure 2.8 UNACCEPTABLE encroachment. Piping f

or lawn irrigation system drilled through levee without approval. (ND)

Figure 2.9 UNACCEPTABLE encroachments on earthen levee. Fallen woody debris requires removal. (KS)

Figure 2.11 UNACCEPTABLE encroachment.

R esidential and rural fences crossing the levee. (ND) Figure 2.12 UNACCEPTABLE, unapproved encroachment on levee easement (fencing). (OK)

Figure 2.13 UNACCEPTABLE encroachment. Gardens and compost bins located on levee crest and riverward slope. (ND) Figure 2.7 UNACCEPTABLE levee encroachments. Utility poles in levee embankment. (IN)9 Figure 2.17 UNACCEPTABLE earthen embankment f

ailure. (MN) Figure 2.15 UNACCEPTABLE. Slope failure and erosion caused by inadequate channel bottom and

s ide slope protection. This was a direct result o f bottom scouring that undercut the levee slope and erosion caused by turbulent flow at the end of the bank protection. (ND) Figure 2.16 UNACCEPTABLE. Slope failure and erosion on a channel improvement project. (MN) 2.4 Slope Stability (Applicable to all FCWs) Some earthen materials tend to become saturated with water very easily. When this happens, they loose stability and can’t support their ow n weight. If a stream or river embankment is composed of these materials, the embankment will slump off and move down the slope into the river, causing a bulge at the base of the slope. When river banks break down like this, they are said to have slope stability problems and n eed to be repaired. Slope failures can lead to serious problems, especially if the failure occurs near a levee or floodwall. Figures 2.15 through 2.17 show examples of slope stability problems.

Levees, like riverbanks, are subject to the same soil saturation effects during a flood or period of heavy rainfall. Levees are generally less susceptible to slope stability problems because of the materials they are made of and because of their shallow slopes. However, slope failures have occurred during prolonged periods of high water or heavy rainfall. Figure

2.16 shows an earthen em bankment that failed as floodwaters receded. While slope failures will generally occur on the riverward slope of a levee, be aware that slope failures on landward slopes are also possible. A levee shoul d be carefully inspected for slope stability problems after these events.10 Figure 2.18 Classic picture of a tree causing slope failure. (WA) A related slope failure/ stability problem involves trees growing

on or near the channel or levee slopes. It’s very important to prevent tree growth near levee or channel embankments, because

when the roots of these trees decay they leave voids in the soil, which allow water to quickly saturate the slope and cause a slope failure. Trees can also be uprooted and deflect

flood flows into the embankment, accelerating the

erosion of the bank.

The classic signs of slope stability problems are listed below, and you should watch for these signs during routine inspections.

a. Wide deep cracks that parallel the riverba nk or levee crest. In the case of levees, these cracks may also extend down the slope of the levee.

b. Vertical movement of the material along the crack. Remember that this movement may be very obvious like in Figures 2.16 or 2.17, or very subtle if the stability problem is just starting to develop.

c. If the slope has slumped or is starting to slump, examine the area along the toe of the embankment. In many cases there will be a noticeable bulge in the slope or

riverbank.

Please also refer to section 2.9 for further discussion on levee cracking.

Deep seated sliding often requires the removal a nd replacement of that se ction of the levee or river slope, and the stabilization of the area with a soil or rock be rm. If you identify signs of a developing slope stability problem, it is very important that you contact your local Corps district office for an investigation and to get t echnical assistance as to the best way to repair the problem.11 Figure 2.20 Animal burrow in a levee. (IA) Figure 2.19 UNACCEPTABLE erosion of river channel, caused by a log jam. (ND) 2.5 Removal of Debris (Applicable to all FCWs) Any accumulations of drift, grass clippings, and other objectionable materials deposited on the riverward side of any FCW or along the crown and side slopes of a levee must be removed and disposed of at suitable locations outside of the floodway. When debris collects in a flowing channel, it can deflect the water towards the channel bank, causing significant damage to the FCW. Figure 2.19 shows the result of

what started out as a beaver dam that was not removed, which expanded into a log jam. Before this log jam was removed, both

the inside river bank and the levee experienced severe bank erosion. Log jams have endangered bridges and railway crossings, and they lead to higher flood crest elevations upstream of the

obstruction.

One common problem experienced al ong urban levees is that the re sidents pile lawn clippings and yard waste on the riverward side of the leve e. This practice should not be allowed because the clippings will kill the grass cover that pr otects the levee. During a flood, the debris gets washed away, exposing the le vee material to erosion.

2.6 Animal Control (Applicable to all FCWs) Close attention must be given to the presence of burrowing animals, since they may not be readily detected without a thorough inspection. Burrows created by gophers, muskrats, opossums, badgers, and other animals can lead to rapid levee failures during floods. For this reason, an active animal abatement program needs to be implemented to remove these animals. Rodent control techniques involving fumigation, bait stations , bait broadcasting, or

trapping have proven effective in certain situations, but you should always contact your state’s Fish and Game Agency, Department of Natural Resources, or Wildlife Agency to determine which rodent control procedures ar e allowable and recommended in your area.

Inspections to detect the pres ence of burrowing animal activity are generally most effective immediately after the levee has been mowed. An imal burrows that are identified should be thoroughly excavated and inspected, backfilled with comp acted soil that is similar to material12 of the levee, and reseeded. This will avoi d the possibility of wa ter piping through unfilled portions of the burrows during a flood.

Beavers pose an additional concern in streams and channel improvement projects. They have been known to cause problems by building dams, blocking culverts, and by burrowing into the

stream bank to create a den. When beaver activity is noted, the beaver should be removed and the dam and blockages removed. Failure to corr ect the problem may result in increased bank erosion and slope stability problems in the area of the beaver den during periods of high water.

Figure 2.21 Beaver dam. Such dams can stop flow

within the channel and cause erosion to the channel banks. Sponsors are encouraged to remove beaver dams ASAP. (ND) Figure 2.22 Beavers attempting to block the culvert

p assing through a gated embankment. (MN)13 Figure 2.23 F lood damage on a naturally protected bank, as compared to damage on an adjacent bank which was protected with riprap. (Note that even though the riprap clearly protected the area during the f

lood, if it was observed an inspection it would have probably been rated Minimally Acceptable because the

g rass would have prevented an inspector from properly examining the riprap.) (WA)

Figure 2.24 Channel erosion located at the upstream end of a flood control levee

p rotected by riprap. Erosion caused by riprap protection and eddy currents. (MN) 2.7 Riprap Revetments and Banks (Applicable to all FCWs) As shown in Figure 2.23, riprap can be a very effective method for protecting a riverbank or flood control feature from erosion. However, if th e riprap protection is not placed correctly, it can cause eddy currents to erode unprotected areas of the bank upstream or downstream of the project, as shown in figure 2.24.14 For riprap protection to be effective, it’s important to ensure that it is properly maintained. During project inspections, look for settled areas that may indicate the riprap is being undermined by the river, ice, or debris. Wh en undermining or rock displacement occurs,

additional rock will need to be added to restor e the even slope. When the rock protection is

uneven the flow turbulence will in crease, resulting in additional erosion of the project or of areas upstream or downstream of the project.

The protected area needs to be kept free of unwanted brush, saplings , and trees. Unwanted vegetation should be sprayed with an appropriate herbicide to kill the plant, and the root system should be removed. Failure to control the sapling and tree growth can result in the trees being uprooted during a flood, displacing the ripr ap and increasing the rate of erosion.

Any areas of stone riprap that have settled, moved, or been damaged by erosion should be filled in with hard, durable rock of suitable size or with a six-inch filter-blanket layer or a layer of geotextile fabric under th e stone riprap, between the soil and the rock. These sublayers allow the water to pass from the soil, yet prevent the fine soil from washing out from under the Figure 2.28 UNACCEPTABLE. Tree and sapling

g rowth is well established within the riprap

p rotection on an ea r then levee. This overgrowth must be removed. (MO) Figure 2.27 MINIMALLY A CCEPTABLE. Trees andsaplings are becoming established within riprapp rotected areas and along the lower portions of the river channel, and must be removed. (ND) Figure 2.25 ACCEPTABLE riprap for erosion control. (MT) Figure 2.26 A CCEPTABLE riprap for erosion control. (NE)15 stone riprap. It’s very important that you c ontact the Corps for technical assistance when installing geotextile fabrics, as the Corps ha s significant experience in installing riprap over geotextile fabric, and can help you to avoid complications with the process.

When selecting stone for riprap, choose durable ro ck that’s insoluble in water. Stratified or easily crumbled rocks such as shale, or rocks such as claystones that are likely to decompose in water are not good for riprap . Stone for riprap should be block shaped with a specific gravity of at least 2.5. Smooth rounded stone or flat, thin, elongated and slab stones are not recommended. As a general rule, no more than 25% of the stones dist ributed throughout the gradation should have a length more than 2.5 tim es longer than the other dimensions, and none of the stones should be 3 times longer than their width or thickness.

Grouted riprap should be avoi ded unless it is absolutely n ecessary. The surface of grouted riprap can look perfectly fine until the bond be tween the grout and the rock fails. Grouted riprap can fail suddenly if it is undermined, and this can lead to unexpected and catastrophic failure of the slope. Other objections to using grout include the cost of installation, the lasting environmental impact, and the undesirable aesthe tics of having a cement-lined stream bank as opposed to a plain rock bank.

It should be noted that work within a river channel which involves placing or adding material (soil or rock) may require a Section 404 permit from the Corps. Please contact your Corps district before placing any mate rial along the banks of a river or stream to determine whether you will need a permit for the work. If the FCW is damaged by a flood or by high-water and is eligible for rehabilitation a ssistance under PL 84-99 as discussed in later chapters of this manual, the Corps will help you to obtain the necessary permits.

The Corps can provide recommendations or materials on the proper sizing, gradation, thickness, use of geotextile fa brics, and other details relate d to the placem ent of riprap.16 2.8 Vegetation (Levee Specific) The Corps’ policy for landscaping around levees, floodwalls, and embankment dams, is found in EM 1110-2-301. The requirements are sometimes seen as being excessive and out of touch with contemporary environmental concerns, but as the primary function of a levee is to protect communities from flooding, the Corps’ maintenance requirements have been established to reduce the chance of catastrophic failures during high water. If you’d like a variance to the Corps’ vegetation requirements (allowing addi tional vegetation on or around the levee) then you need to contact your local Corps district. A variance would be granted if the proposed vegetation is seen to preserve, protect, or enha nce natural resources, or if it protects the rights of Native Americans. Such variances will only be granted if the vegetation retains the safety, structural integrity, and functiona lity of the levee; retains the accessibility for inspection and flood fighting purposes; and doesn’ t reduce the level of protec tion required by the National Flood Insurance Program or the RIP if the levee is a part of these programs. Specific items relating to the maintenance of levee vegetation include the maintenance of the grass or sod

cover and the removal of unwanted bushes and trees.

a. Maintaining and Promoting a Good Grass or Sod Cover

Grass or sod cover is one of the most e ffective and economical means of protecting flood control levees and drainage swales ag ainst erosion caused by rain runoff, channel flows, and wave wash. As the public spons or, you are required to ensure the grass cover has every opportunity to grow. This wi ll require that you peri odically fertilize, water, and mow the grasses as needed. In addition, every effort must be made to prevent unauthorized encroachments, grazing, ve hicle traffic, the misuse of chemicals, or burning during inappropriate seasons. Failu re to properly maintain the grass cover can result in unnecessary erosion and possible embankment failure.

b. Mowing Periodic mowing is essential to maintaining a good ground cover. Levees should be mowed regularly in order to control weeds and to prevent the gr owth of brush and saplings. Long grasses and nativ e prairie grasses are one of the many challenges facing the project inspector. Long grasses (greater th en 12 inches in length) can make a visual inspection nearly impossible an d can hide serious concerns such as rodent activity, levee slides, and cracking; all of which can lead to the failure of the levee. For these Figure 2.29 MINIMALLY A CCEPTABLE. This photo shows cattle gr azing on the levee. Cattle typically don’t harm the sod cover to the extent that sheep or other animals do. In this case, the landowner and the public sponsor were in formed of the Corps’ poli cy that grazing is not permitted on levees or within

the levee easement area.17 Figure 2.30 UNACCEPTABLE levee with knee-high

g rass, making visual inspection nearly impossible. (MN)

Figure 2.31 UNACCEPTABLE. Levee is mowed but trees and longer grasses w ithin levee easement area. Trees are greater than 2” in diameter. (MN)

Figure 2.32 UNACCEPTABLE long grasses and trees on levee side slopes. (ND) reasons, the grass should be mowed to a mi nimum height of 3 inches. The last mowing of the season should be accomplished under conditions that will allow the grass to grow to approximately 8 to 10 inches by the wi nter season. It’s important to ensure that the entire levee profile has been mowe d, including zones extending 15 feet beyond the toes of the embankment, which should be free of all woody growth and should

be clear of other obs tructions so that a

truck could drive beside the levee if

needed.

c. Control of Trees, Brush, and

Weeds If the public sponsor mows the levee at regular intervals, the growth of saplings, trees, and brush will not become a problem. However, if the levee is not mowed regularly, the resulting growth will make it difficult to properly maintain and inspect the project. Trees

and brush can also aff ect the stability of

the structure and interfere withemergency operations during highwater conditions. All trees and brush must be cleared and disposed of away from the flood control project. The disposal of material on the riverward

side of the levee or areas where flood waters can carry the material downstream is prohibited. In riprap

protected areas, ditches, or in other areas of the project where power mowing is impractical, the unwanted vegetation should be controlled with an approved herbicide spray or should be cut by hand. Herbicides must be used in

accordance with state and local laws and regulations. Any trees that reach 2 inches in diameter or greater, and are located on the levee, riprapped areas, drainage channels, or within 15 feet of the toe of the levee must be cut down, the root ball removed, the voids filled with impervious material, and the fill material firmly compacted and reseeded.18 Figure 2.33 A CCEPTABLE cracking in clay levee with shrinkage cracking caused by dry conditions. (MN) 2.9 Cracking (Levee Specific) It’s important to closely monitor and evaluate

all visible areas of cracking on a levee or riverbank, to ensure th ey don’t develop slope stability problems as shown in Figure 2.35

and discussed in section 2.4. Cracks in a levee develop when the levee material is saturated with water and when it is overly dry. Clay, like most impervious materials, will shrink as it dries and re-expand when wet. Clay levee surfaces tend to shrink and expand slightly,

and some cracks in the surface of the FCW are to be expected. Shrinka ge cracks are generally narrow and shallow, not extending more than more then a few inches into the levee, but during long periods of drought th ey may extend as much as two feet into the levee. These cracks can run longitudinally or transverse to th e levee, as in Figure 2.33, or may appear as blocks as shown in Figure 2.34. If the cracking becomes excessive, it needs to be corrected even if the levee appears to be stable. It’s im portant that you contact your local Corps district office for guidance on how to repair cracks observed in your levee.

Figure 2.35 UNACCEPTABLE embankment cracking and slope failure. This photo shows what started out as cracking along the crest of the embankment and quickly developed into a slope failure. A ll cracking located on a levee or riverbank must be closely monitored. (MN)

Figure 2.34 UNACCEPTABLE cracking with landside pooling, Whitehead Levee Project, (IA)19 2.10 Ruts and Depressions (Levee Specific) Ruts and other depressions often develop along levees or patrol roads as a result of pedestrian or vehicular traffic, settlement, or because of an inadequate crown slope. Sometimes the levee material over a culvert can settle, leaving a tren ch across the crown of a levee. This process

and related maintenance is discussed below in section 2.20. Ruts and depressions are a problem because they allow water to pond on the levee crest or access road. If left uncorrected, the ponded water will seep into the levee’s interior or into roadway embankment, saturating the foundation material, and making the levee more susceptibl e to failure during a flood. The levee or access road should be inspecte d for ruts, pot holes, and areas of standing

water after it rains.

To correct these problems, the topsoil and sod should be removed and the existing levee surface should be roughened. This is ideally do ne when the ground is not frozen; if there are ice crystals in the ground then the entire frozen layer should be removed. Loose fill material should be added evenly, in approximately 6 in ch layers. Add water or dry the backfill materials as necessary to attain optimal mois ture content during comp action. Compact in place by hand or mechanical methods in order to bri ng the levee back to it s original shape. The topsoil should be replaced and the area should be reseeded and mulched for erosion control.

Figures 2.36 through 2.39 show common ruts that can hold water on access roads and levees.

Figure 2.36 M INIMALLY ACCEPTABLE levee rutting caused by pedestrian and bicycle traffic. (ND) Figure 2.37 UNACCEPTABLE ruts in levee crown require fill. (MO)

Figure 2.38 MINIMALLY ACCEPTABLE

p onded water along a levee crest. (MN) Figure 2.39 UNACCEPTABLE rutting in levee. (OK)20 When the crest of the levee is used for recr eation, inspections, surveillance during floods, and flood fighting activities, a surface treatment (e.g., gravel, crushed rock, pavement, etc.) should be provided to reduce the deficiencies listed above. This is not a requirement but it is

recommended for active levees.

2.11 Underseepage Control Berms (Levee Specific) Underseepage control berms, also known as seepage berms, perform two functions in controlling seepage. Firs t, they provide a downward weight to counteract the upward force of the seepage pressure within the foundation materi al adjacent to the levee, which is where the pressure is highest. Second, seepage berms le ngthen the seepage path, which increases the flow resistance and decreases the seepage pres sure in the area beyond the berm. The berms

should be constructed with materi al at least as permeable as the existing levee to reduce the chance of increasing dangerous build up of hydrostatic pressures within th e levee. They should be thoroughly inspected both befo re and after each flood along w ith the rest of the FCW, and any cracks, depressions, settlement, or other problems identified need to be repaired as outlined in previous sections of this chapter.

2.12 Excavations (Levee Specific) The removal of levee blanket materials may e ndanger the levee by incr easing the potential for seepage or stability problems. Any excavation that is proposed within the boundaries of the levee easement or right-of -way should be reviewed by the Corp s. This review may result in a

recommendation to not allow th e excavation, or to recommend restrictions on the excavation in order to maintain the project’s eligibility fo r rehabilitation assistance. The areas the public sponsor should monitor for excavat ion activities include the levee itself, and those areas within 100 feet, both landward and ri verward, of the levee.

2.13 Utilities (Levee Specific) It’s also recommended that you coordinate the construction of any utilities that cross over, under, or through levees or other flood control structures with th e Corps prior to the start of construction. During the installation of the utility, care needs to be taken to ensure that pipes do not leak, and that there is adequate comp action around the utility. Failure to provide good compaction will allow for seepage along the pipe during a flood. Once installed, the utility trench will need to be monitored for cracks, depressions, settlement, sink holes, or saturated soils that may indicate a leak or possible s eepage along the utility line. These types of problems should be brought to th e utility company’s attention as soon as they are discovered and repaired expeditiously. Additional guidance on the placement of utilities, excavations, and on other related topics can be found at http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/local_protection/guidance.html , as referenced in Appendix I of this manual. You district office may be ab le to provide additional information, if needed. Figure 2.40 Sketch of a seepage berm.21 Figure 2.41 Evidence of sandboils. (IN) 2.14 Underseepage Relief Wells/ Toe Dr ainage (Levees and Floodwalls) Relief wells are used to relieve hydrostatic pressures in the foundation of a levee, which is caused by fluctuation in the water table or s eepage under a levee or flood control structure during a flood. Typical relief wells consist of a well screen, a fi lter pack (granular material surrounding the well screen), a ri ser, and an outlet system. Relief wells, over time, can become less efficient at relieving hydrostatic pressu res because of clogging of the filter pack, sedimentation build up in the we ll screen, and/or bio-fouling. Clogging of the filter pack and

sedimentation within the relief well occurs when the foundation material migrates into the filter pack, making it less permeable and reducing th e well’s effectiveness. Bio-fouling is the build up of bacteria on the well screen itself, reducing the area in the screen through which

water can flow.

Maintenance of relief wells requires surging and pump testing of the well, and comparing the

results to the test results recorded when th e well was initially installed. Well testing and clearing should be accomplished by qualified well drillers. You can request technical assistance from the Corps on the proper procedures and/or a list of qualified well drilling contractors in your area.

2.15 Seepage/ Sandboils (Levees and Floodwalls) Sandboils and seepage problems are not generally identified during routin e inspections because these problems typically only appear under high water conditions. However, if sandboils or continuously saturated soils (not caused by ponded water or poor drainage) are observed on

the landward side of the levee or floodwall under low water conditions, regardless of their size, they will likely become serious problems under high

water conditions. Sandboils and underseepage is a serious problem that should not be taken lightly. If sandboils are observed during a flood or low water conditions, or if there’s evidence that foundation material is being (or has been) removed from the levee foundation, then the Corps

should be contacted to evaluate the situation and provide tec hnical advice regarding repairs. Appendix D of this manual provides additiona l information regarding seepage and sandboils.22 2.16 Closure Structures (Levees and Floodwalls) Closure structures must be in good repair. Placing equipment, stoplogs, sandbags, and other materials must be readily availa ble at all times; stored near by on the protected side of the levee, or stored on a trailer for quick transportation to the site. It’s important that all components are clearly marked a nd that installation instructions and related procedures are readily available. You should regularly check your inventory of all co mponents of the closure structure to ensure that stopl ogs and other components will be there when you need them. Note that when aluminum stoplogs are stored , they should be supported along their entire length so they don’t deform during extended periods of storage.

2.17 Concrete Surfaces (Applicable to all concrete structures) Visible cracking, scaling, or spalling are signs of concrete movement a nd stresses within the

concrete. Cracks in concrete walls that aren’t repaired are subject to freeze / thaw damage, which widens the gap and leads to additional spalling of the concrete. When examining any concrete flood control structures, spalling, s caling, or cracking should be very minimal. Figures 2.43 through 2.47, on the following page, show various degrees of cracking, spalling, and scaling. Figure 2.42 ACCEPTABLE floodgate in a levee. (KS)23 Figure 2.47 M INIMALLY

A CCEPTABLE f loodwall.

E

xposed surface rebar resulting f

rom poor construction

p ractices. The public sponsor has painted over the rebar in an attempt to keep it from rusting. (MN) Figure 2.44

M

INIMALLY

A CCEPTABLE Vertical floodwall crack with spalling. The rating for this

p articular crac k is

M inimally Acceptable

because the crack is

s till tight but there is

s ome spalling occurring as well. (MN)

Figure 2.45

UNACCEPTABLE exposed rebar.

M

onolith joint

s eparation with exterior spalling along the joint and interior spalling in the area of the rebar. (MN) Figure 2.43 M INIMALLY

A CCEPTABLE 1/8 th inch crack extends through concrete floodwall and

needs to be sealed to

p revent further damage. (MN)

Figure 2.46 Detail o f the crack in Figure 2.45, showing the exposed rebar that

tied the two monoliths together. (MN)24 Fire and extreme heat can also be very dama ging to concrete, and s ponsors should discourage fires from being built beside c oncrete structures. Co mmon grass or incidental fires are not typically a great concern, but repe ated hot or large fires such as bon fires, camp fires, or brush fires can cause spalling in the concrete. Even though fire damage is not specifically listed in the Corps’ FCW Inspection Guide (Appendix C), the related spalling, cracking, or other damage would be noted during an inspection and is something th at should be taken seriously. If this type of damage is iden tified, efforts must be made imme diately to stop fires near the FCW. Depending on the extent of the damage, the integrity of the structure should be investigated and repairs should be made as soon as possible.

Over time, concrete surfaces will weather, leav ing the concrete rough to the touch, or will hold

moisture on the surface. When this occurs consider applying a prot ective coating to the concrete to help prevent moisture from entering the structure. By applying a protective coating to the concrete surface and sealing the cracks the chances of freeze / thaw damage will be greatly reduced, increasing the life expectancy of the structure. Prior to the application of a

concrete sealer the structure shou ld be cleaned, existing cracks s hould be sealed with a flexible sealant, and any spalling repa ired. Any sealer chosen for th e concrete floodwall should be a water or solvent-based acrylic protective coating, which may be either clear or colored, and may be textured. A clear system should contain at least 23% solids by weight, and a colored system should contain at least 67% solids by weight and 46% solids by volume.

More serious damage such as spal ling should be repaired as soon as it is identifie d, especially if steel reinforcing has been exposed. Perfor m concrete repairs with a polymer-modified Portland cement mortar that will provide a mini mum or 2500-psi compressive strength in two hours. For repairs greater than 1 1/2 inches deep, add 3/8-inch cl ean-washed pea gravel so that aggregates don’t result in variat ions of the physical properties of the mortar. Limestone gravel is not acceptable. All surfaces to be patched need to be structurally sound, clean, and free of loose debris, oils, vegetation, paints, sealants, an d other contaminants. Re move all deteriorated

concrete to a minimum of 1⁄4-in ch in depth. Cut edges should be square with the concrete surfaces, and not feathered. Surfaces should be sufficiently rough to ensure a good bond. Any existing reinforcing bars should be thoroughly cleaned. If require d, existing concrete should be removed to fully expose the reinforcing bar. Sandblasting may be required to clean them thoroughly. All surfaces should be fully satura ted and freestanding excess water should be removed before applying the repair material. Th e material should be placed in the prepared area starting from one side a nd working to the other side. Fo r vertical areas , trowel the material in an upward motion over the repaired area. Successive ap plications must be troweled against the previously placed material just prio r to hardening. Work the material firmly into the bottom and sides of the repair. Level the material to the desire d thickness and close up edges of the repair with a trow el. Finish the material to matc h the existing concrete finish. Remove any material applied or spilled beyond the desired areas. All exposed surfaces should be thoroughly saturated with wa ter immediately after finishing.25 Figure 2.49 UNACCEPTABLE monolith movement in floodwall. The monolith shown in the

p hoto has tilted about 6 inches riverward as well a vertically. Note the movement when compared to the adjoining monolith and the top cap. As the monolith moved considerable spalling has occurred along the joint. This project is monitored very closely during flood events. (ND) 2.18 Tilting, Sliding, and Settlement (Applic able to all Concrete Structures) If soil conditions were poor prior to construc tion or if there has been inadequate soil compaction, concrete structures (floodwalls, pump stations, and gate wells) will frequently show signs of settlement. As the structure settles it may begin tilting in the lateral or transverse directions, settle vertically, or may even begi n to slide downhill, if constructed on a slope. As the pressure within the concrete builds cracking and large spalls will develop. If the movement is considerable like that shown in Figur es 2.48 and 2.49, a licensed engineer should be

contacted to determine the best approach to correct the problem, or to closely monitor the structure during high water to avoid a structural failure.

Figure 2.48 MINIMALLY ACCEPTABLE floodwall.

M

onolith joint separation caused by settlement, no landward or riverward tilting. The opening is about 3 inches wide at the top but the rubber joint sealer is

s till intact and undamaged. This joint has since been repaired by bolting another joint sealer on the both

s ides of the wall and filling the void with an expandable joint sealer. (ND)

Figure 2.50 A CCEPTABLE. decorative floodwall is in strai g ht alignment, with no tilting or spalling, and all joints are tight together. (MN)26 Figure 2.53 UNACCEPTABLE interior drainage at the toe of an earthen levee. (OK) 2.19 Vegetation (Floodwall specific) Vegetation must be removed from both sides of floodwalls for maintenance, flood fighting activities, and to protect the floodwall from damage from roots. Roots under a floodwall can greatly accelerate seepage rates during high wate r, increasing the chance of sandboils on the landward side and potentially leading to the failu re of the structure. For these reasons, you should maintain a zone extending 2.5 meters (8') beyond both the underground toe and heel of the floodwall, keeping it free of everything but grass or sod, or possibly riprap on the riverward side. Since the floodwall may have been constructed in the shape of an inverted T, the underground toe and heel may extend several feet past the visible base. Additional guidance on landscaping around levees, floodwalls and embankment dams can be found in EM 1110-2-301, as referenced in Chapter 1.

2.20 Internal Drainage Systems During non-flood conditions, rainwater is permitted to drain naturally through culverts in the

levee and into the rive r. However, during high water, the gates on the drainage culverts are closed, and rainfall and flood seepage becomes trapped within the protected area of the FCW. If there is insufficient ponding area within the FCW,

the water will need to be pumped over the levee or

floodwall and into the river. Even if a levee operates exactly as intended to keep the river back, a community can still be fl ooded from within if the interior drainage system is not functioning properly.

Some of the features of an in terior drainage system include ponding areas, drainage swales or ditches, inlet and outlet struct ures including gates and concre te components, culverts, gate wells, and pump stations. Natural or modified st reams or ditches within the protected area are generally not considered part of the flood cont rol project unless specifically stated in the project design. However, don’t forget that you c ould still experience significant damage from seepage and rain runoff if these channels are not maintained. Figure 2.51 UNACCEPTABLE. Trees growing too close to floodwall. (KY) Figure 2.52 UNACCEPTABLE. Trees growing too close to floodwall. (KY)27 Figure 2.57 A CCEPTABLE interior ponding area and drainage ditch. (MN) As the public sponsor, it’s your responsibility to ensure that all ditches, drainage structures, and other components of the project are kept in an acceptable co ndition. All drainage structures should be inspected and maintained at least once a year prior to flood season and again after periods of high water. The following paragraphs describe the maintenance of some components of interior drai nage in greater detail.

a. Drainage Ditches Drainage ditches should be maintained to en sure that the capacity of the ditch is not decreased by heavy vegetation growth or sedimentation. As part of a good maintenance program, the drainage ditches sh ould be cleared at scheduled intervals and restored to the original channel design grade and cros s section. Material removed from drainage ditches should be removed from the floodway, and not left in area near the banks. Removal of the excavation spoils will improve water quality and help to prevent further flooding and maintenance problems. During an inspection, drainage ditches are rated on flow capac ity, sedimentation, vegetative growth, a nd cross section. Regularly scheduled maintenance will ensure the flood control project performs in a satisfactory manner during high water.

Figure 2.56 UNACCEPTABLE vegetation and sediment in interior drainage channel. (IA) Figure 2.55 M INIMALLY ACCEPTABLE vegetation (cat tails and bull rushes) in interior drainage ditch. (MN) Figure 2.54 A CCEPTABLE interior drainage channel. (IA)28 Figure 2.58 Concrete drainage tunnel. (AK) b. Concrete Culverts/ Pipes

All culverts must be clear of debris and must be structurally sound. Remember that inspections of drainage structures require compliance with confined space entry regulations. Any spalling in concrete culverts should be patched with an appropriate concrete ma terial as described above. Repairs should be made to the bottom of the culvert if they show more

than 1 inch of loss due to wear and abrasion. If significant settlement is detected in a culvert or pipe, it should be excavated, the foundation raised, the pipe replaced, the fill mate rial added in four inch layers and compacted around the pipe to a density equal to or gr eater to that of the surrounding undisturbed material , and the area reseeded. Do not use a roller or heavy machinery to compact fill material when repairing the settlement over a culvert.

Figure 2.59 The culvert on the left is

M inimally Acceptable with sediment

accumulation within the culvert. The culvert on the right is totally unacceptable with 2/3 of its flow capacity reduced by sediment and debris. This project was rated as UNACCEPTABLE because of the reduced f

low capacity of the culverts. (MN)

Figure 2.60 MINIMALLY A CCEPTABLE, vegetation blocking the concrete culvert must be removed. (KS)29 Figure 2.61 UNACCEPTABLE, Failing corrugated metal pipe. DO NOT WALK INTO

A FAILING CULVERT LIKE THIS. This

s ection has actually separated, allowing the

s urrounding soil to enter the pipe and the overburden to collapse. This sponsor was

denied rehabilitation assistance due to this maintenance deficiency. Figure 2.62 Pieces of the same pipe, once removed from the levee. Note that while much o f the pipe may have appeared to be in good condition from the inside, the outside was extremely corroded. The public sponsor attempted to patch the pipe the fir s t year, but when it failed again, the entire CMP was replaced. c. Corrugated Metal Pipes One significant maintenance item in many levee systems involves the repair and replacement of corrugated metal pipes (CMP s). Many levees all over the country were constructed with corrugated metal pipes to transport interior drainage, because CMP was one of the cheapest and most reliable ma terials available at the time. When the levees were constructed, the engineers de signed them for an established design life (usually no more than 50 years), and since CMP was predicted to last for design life of the project, it was the material of choice fo r many drainage culverts. However, with many of the levees around the country at or beyond the design life of the CMP, it becomes critical that the pipes are inspect ed frequently and th oroughly, and replaced as

needed. Remember that even if a CMP looks OK on the inside, the outside of the pipe may be very corroded and weak. Interior and exterior rust, reduction in metal thickness, joint separation, holes, and settleme nt, have all lead to the failure of the culverts. When a CMP fails during a flood, not only does the culver t cease to function as necessary, but material from the levee coll apses to fill in the void, leaving a low spot in the crown of the levee. This low spot ca n quickly lead to a br each in the levee and the flooding of the protected area.

In some cases, a decaying CMP may temporaril y be maintained by lining the pipe with an appropriate plastic liner or by patchi ng it in various ways, but these are only temporary solutions and the pipe will eventual ly need to be replaced as part of the ongoing maintenance of the project. Becau se of this, you need to budget for the replacement of the pipes as their design life comes to an end. If it is noted during an inspection that a CMP culvert is Minimally Acceptable and the levee becomes damaged during a flood as a direct result of the failure of th e CMP, then the Corps will deny post flood rehabilitation assistance fo r the repair of this damage. The maintenance and replacement of these pipes is considered to be part of the ongoing maintenance of the project and is therefor e the responsibility of the public sponsor.30 Figure 2.64 ACCEPTABLE flap gates in earthen levee. (KS)

Figure 2.66 UNACCEPTABLE flap gate in earthen levee. (Broken hinge and vegetation

g rowth.) (MO) Figure 2.63 ACCEPTABLE culvert gate. (LA) d. Gated Structures All flap gates, slide gates, and other gate systems need to be inspected and lubricated at least once a year just before the flood season. If gates aren’t seated properly, water will flow back through the drainage structure during high water. During the inspection, all gates should be manually operated, and any debris or obstructions removed. All gate seats should be checked and the

frames readjusted if the gate is not seating properly. Cracked or damaged gates need to be replaced. The inlet and outle t channels need to be kept free of debris, trees, brush and other vegetati on, and sediment. All concrete cracks in the inlet/ outlet structure need to be repaired. Metal grates , hand wheels, and other metalwork should be secure and sound, free from rust, and regularly maintained by cleaning, painting, and greasing. If any pipe or culvert has separated from the inlet/ outlet structure headwall, this needs to be repaired as soon as possible. When high water is predicted, all flap and slide gates should again be insp ected and any debris or obstructions should be removed immediately.

Figure 2.65 UNACCEPTABLE vegetation around flap gates in earthen levee. (OK)31 Figure 2.67 Hole in roof of pumping station. (IL)

Figure 2.68 Pump station beside earthen levee. (OK) 2.21 Pump Stations Pump Stations should be inspected at least annually by the sponsor, preferably just before the flood season, following the manufacturers' publications and recommendations on

maintenance. Preventative maintenance includes adjusting, lubricating, repairing, and replacing warn out or defective parts. A guide for the inspection frequencies and tasks for the various items of equipm ent is usually found in the manufacturer’s recommendations, but may need to be adjusted depending on the frequency of operation of the pumpi ng station. Any change

to the manufacturer’s recommenda tions should be coordinated with the manufacturer to avoid the possibility of voiding warranties.

Some pump stations are located in remote areas and operated automatically. These stations may be easily overlooked, but need to be inspecte d, tested, and maintained just like any other pump station.

Megger tests need to be conducted at least ever y other year to ensure proper insulation of electrical components. While th e cost of running the pumps typi cally prohibits the Corps from conducting a Megger test during co ntinuing eligibility inspections , you need to conduct this test on your own when the pump is in operatio n. A logbook needs to be maintained at each pump station, which should include the date an d type of testing conducted, the maintenance performed, and the number of hours each pum p or piece of machinery was operated.

Pump stations are exposed to potential fires, and should have adequate fire protection measures. This would include safety equipment for diesel generators and may include automatic sprinklers.32 Figure 2.71 MINIMALLY ACCEPTABLE s hoaling within a concrete lined channel. (MN) Figure 2.70 UNACCEPTABLE channel shoaling below a control structure. The original channel bottom extended all the way to the riprapped banks. There is an estimated 2-3 feet of sediment in the channel, mostly f

rom upstream field erosion and highway construction. (MN) Figure 2.69 UNACCEPTABLE vegetation in channel and sediment shoaling. (OK) 2.22 Flood Control Rivers and Channels Flood control channels should be inspected on a regular and continual basis to ensure that erosion is not causing bank instability that

could result in a bank fa ilure/ sloughing. When areas of bank instability or erosion are located,

measures should be taken to correct the problem. If left unattended, the continued bank

erosion will form sediment shoals within the river channel causing a reduction in channel capacity. As the shoals grow in size they begin to support vegetation a nd divert the channel flow into the river bank, causing additional bank erosion and instability. Trees that have

fallen into the river channel or that may soon fall need to be removed to prevent log jams during high water, which can cau se significant damage as desc ribed in section 2.5 above.

Sedimentation, silt, vegetation, downed trees, and ot her debris in the channel must be removed to maintain channel capacity. These materials sh ould be disposed of in a manner that does not adversely affect the project or the floodway/f loodplain. This improves water quality as well as helping prevent further flooding and maintenan ce problems. Before removing any sediment, trees, vegetation, or placing rock bank protections, you should contact the Corps’ Regulatory Office and your local Department of Natural Resources to de termine if any environmental permits are required.33 2.23 Concrete Lined Channels Concrete lined channels should be kept cl ear of debris, sedime nt, and vegetation. The concrete, flap gates, and othe r structures must be inspecte d annually and maintained as described in previous sections of this chapte r. Sample maintenance and inspection activities may include (but are not limited to) clearing th e sediment, vegetation, and debris; replacing joint seals as needed, and repair ing damage to the concrete.

2.24 Debris Basins Debris basins, sometimes called sediment rete ntion basins, are reservoirs that are placed upstream of flood protection or navigation channels in order to collect sand, rocks, logs and other debris, and prevent it from obstructing th e channel downstream. They help with flooding and navigation, and make the project easier to main tain, since it’s easier to clean out the basin

than to remove debris from th e entire length of a channel.

As the basin fills up with sediment, the flowi ng water tends to take on the same width as the natural channel (rather than spreading over the surface of the basin), and the basin looses its ability to hold back as much de bris. For this reason, debris basi ns are designed with the intent that they’ll be periodically cleaned out. Wh ile some basins may have a 50 or 100-year capacity, others are sized for only one or two major storms. Figure 2.75 UNACCEPTABLE vegetation and extensive sediment in channel. (TX) Figure 2.74 ACCEPTABLE concrete lined channel. (AK) Figure 2.72 A CCEPTABLE concrete lined flood control channel. (ID) Figure 2.73 A CCEPTABLE intake structure upstream of the concrete channel. (ID)34 Remove the sediment from the debris basin when ever it approaches one-half of its capacity by visual inspection, and whenever the deposits direct the flow against the channel or levee slope where they can cause erosion. Remove any larg e obstructions after ev ery high-water event. The debris basin should kept be free from brus h and trees, and sod should be maintained over the area to protect it from erosion.

The bottom of the basin slopes can erode dur ing high water. Any er oded areas should be repaired as described in previous sections of this manual, and riprap or other erosion protection should be pla ced along the slopes to prevent further damage.

2.25 Floodways A floodway is a designated piece of land that is pu rposefully left clear of development, for the purpose of passing floodwaters. When water rises beyond the capacity of the nearby rivers and channels, it then passes over this designated area. (In some areas of the country, the term floodway is used to designate the 100-year flood plain.) Floodways must be maintained so that when water passes over them, it doesn’t rise bey ond the expected levels. Obstructions such as earth deposits, debris, trash, undesirable ve getation, or unauthorized structures or encroachments reduce the floodway capacity and mu st be removed and disposed of properly. Vegetative growth that contribu tes to the preservation of natu ral resources and wildlife should be left alone unless the growth lessens the de gree of protection or th reatens the structural integrity of the project.35 Figure 3.1 Flooding along Skagit River. (WA)

Figure 3.2 Sandbag storage in a levee pumping station. ( OK ) 

## 3. FLOOD PREPAREDNESS

Flood fighting is an art, and can be extremely difficult to execute. There is no

absolute method that one can apply to guarantee success. However, failure to react in a timely ma nner and apply proven flood fighting techniques greatly increases the risk of failure. Although each flood is unique, there are many common elements from one flood to the next, and plans and preparations will improve your response

time and success.

Public sponsors of flood control works are responsible for project maintenance and flood fighting activities during high water events. To be ready for these tasks, sponsors are responsible for establishing flood fight plans, conducting training, stockpiling needed materials, and for other flood preparations. Disaster preparedness and fl ood fighting training are necessary for project inclusion in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer ’s Rehabilitation and In spection Program (RIP). This chapter outlines some basic preparedness activities that will help insu re that your flood responses will be timely and effective.

3.1 Flood Fight Equipment and Supplies As the local project sponor, it is your responsibility to stockpile and maintain the necessary supplies and equipment needed to respond to typical high-water events. In a flood, the stockpiled materials will allow you to quickly provide an initial flood response while additional materials and equipment are being delivered. The specific requirement for supplies varies dependin g on the size of your FCW and on past flood events. The best way to determine the quantities that are needed is to look at the supplies that were needed during previous floods. For example, if you typically use 1,500 sandbags in a flood response, then you should maintain a stockpile of 1,500 sandbags in a secure locati on within the protected area.36 a. Sandbags As stated above, it’s your res ponsibility to maintain an ad equate supply of sandbags to allow you to respond to typi cal high-water events. Burlap sandbags have a limited shelf life (usually about 8 ye ars if humidity is controll ed) and should be inspected annually and replaced when necessary. The stoc kpile of sandbags should be stored in a dry, secure location that does not expose the sandbags to sunlight. Continued sunlight and weather will rapidly dete riorate the sandbag material.

b. Plastic Sheeting There are many applications for plastic sheeti ng during flood fights. If it is one of the things that typically gets us ed in your community during a flood fight and there is any doubt about it’s availability during an emergency, it should be stockpiled in preparation of an event. 6 mil polyethylene sheeting is the minimum thickness recommended for flood fighting applications.

c. Shovels/ Sandbag Filling Machines If you’ve identified places that you know you’re going to n eed a lot of sandbags, then you need to have a reliable method for filling them, and you may want to consider investing in some equipment that will let you do it more quickly. Some Corps districts own sandbag filling machines and can lend them out duri ng emergencies. If these machines are needed, you shoul d contact your State. Since the availability of these machines changes, your State may need to coordinate and prio ritize these requests before passing them to the Corps. See Appendix D for details on sandbagging operations and other tools that have been used.

d. Emergency Lighting Unfortunately, flood fight operations don’t stop at night. It is strongly recommended that you plan ahead to find some emergency lighting which would be readily available for use during flood fights.

e. Communications System A reliable communication system is extr emely important for coordinating flood fighting efforts and for calling for assistan ce when needed. Cell phones work very well but are limited in their capacity for comm unicating with multiple people at one time, which can be important during emergencies. You may also experience dead spots or non-availability of service if the phone tr affic is very heavy. Because of these problems, two-way radios are preferable beca use they are extremely reliable for short distances and have the capability to broadc ast to several people at once. Without a reliable communication system, any flood figh ting effort will be much more difficult and will probably require additional man power.37 Figure 3.3 Portable pumps supplied by the Corps of Engineers during an emergency. f. Riprap for Erosion It is recommended that you develop plans to address erosion that may occur during a flood emergency. It might not always be n ecessary to stockpile riprap, but you should at least know the location and emergency te lephone numbers of local quarries capable of supplying riprap if it’s needed. Some levee districts choose to keep a supply of gravel on hand, so they can maintain the levee access routes during an emergency.

g. Floatation Vests. The safety of workers and volunteers should always be the highest priority during a flood fight. Floatation coats or vests (PFD) ar e recommended and should be worn at all times when working near the riverward crest of the levee, on the riverward side slope, or near fast moving water. Floodwaters can quickly sweep a person downstream, and hypothermia can set in quickly in cold water conditions.

h. Pumps Like sandbags, pumps are also a critical part of any flood fighting effort. Pumps are used to control interior drainage and seepage through the levee. Those communities that experience frequent flooding should c onsider purchasing one or more high capacity pumps. If additional pumps are needed during a flood fight, you should contact your State, because your local Corps district office may ha ve pumps available, but your State may need to coordinate and pr ioritize these requests before passing them to the Corps.

i. Sources of Borrow Material

Sources of borrow material should be locat ed prior to a flood event. Several borrow

areas should be identified in advan ce, because wet or sloppy weather could unexpectedly limit access to some sites. Care fully consider the access points to your levee when you choose the sites for the borrow material.38 3.2 Plans It is a local sponsor’s responsibility to develop and maintain a minimal level of written plans, and to keep those plans up to date. The extent of the plans depends on the specific FCW. Large systems with multiple pumps and drains would require more detailed plans than smaller systems. Documented plans ensure that the information needed to address known problem areas will be available during a flood, even if the main supervisor is unavailable. As a minimum, every sponsor should main tain at least an organizational chart or roster, and lists or maps of important project features. Additi onal planning is also recommended, and some guidance is presented to he lp you develop these plans.

As you read through this section, you’ll see that there’s a large amount of planning that can be done in advance of a flood. While it would clearly take a substantial amount of time to collect and update all of the information described, don’t be discouraged a nd assume that this planning is too big of a chore to ever begin. Instead, try to pr ioritize the work, remembering that every piece of information you assemble and every decision you can make before an actual flood will potenti ally make your response that much more effective during a real

emergency.

a. Organizational Chart / Roster You need to keep an updated list of proj ect supervisors, inspectors, and other personnel, including their detail ed contact information. The list should clearly indicate which people would be contacted during a flood emergency.

Additionally, it’s strongly recommended that you comp ile a directory including telephone numbers for your Corps district ’s Emergency Operation Center, local contractors, flood fight suppl y and equipment vendors, the Red Cross, Salvation Army, hospitals, railroad/ highway departments, th e police and fire departments, local and state Emergency Operations Center s, and other critical numbers.

b. List of Important Project Features As a minimum requirement fo r planning, you need to develop and maintain either a bullet-point list or annotated map that desc ribes each project f eature and areas of concern during a flood event. The list should clearly note things such as:

− Low areas

− Areas subject to boils

− Areas of known seepage

− Areas of recent rodent activity

− Alternate access points to the levee (should one become impassible)

− Locations of drains that s hould be checked for closure

− Available sources and locations of sandbags, pumps and other supplies39 Along with this information, you should devel op and maintain a deta iled table of all of the locations of project features that may need to be closed, such as

− Floodgates

− Flap gates

− Other closures

In this table, you should indica te the river level or other in dicator that wo uld signal that each of these project features needs to be closed. Remember that the highway or railroad departments need to be contacted prior to closing roads or railroad tracks running through levees and floodwalls.

c. Flood Response Plan It is strongly recommended th at you supplement the previously mentioned rosters and lists of project features with a site specif ic flood response plan. This plan does not have to be long and shouldn’t be wo rdy, but should outline the things that need to be done during a flood fight, and indicate when they need to be done. Id eally, it would also delegate responsibilities for the tasks, and this information would be updated as necessary to account for changes in personnel. Your plan should identify necessary information such as potential assembly or staging areas for flood fights, and the location of earth borrow sites, and should a ddress procedures for maintaining records of equipment, manpower, and supplies used during a flood fight. The records are key items for obtaining assistance for flood a nd post flood activities. Flood fighting plans should acknowledge that it may not be feasib le to protect entire communities, based on economic or time and equipment considerations ; therefore, evacuation of certain areas may be a necessary fact of an emergenc y operation. There should be a plan of evacuation for all areas lying in the flood pl ain, in case the need develops. See the following chapter of this manual for additional information on flood response plans.

d. Short Term Planning Elements In addition to your long-term planning, it is your responsibility to have an understanding of the FCW and the ability to ad dress any short term situations that may arise during the life of the project. For example, if a culvert that runs through a levee is being replaced, then you need a plan for wh at to do in case there’s a flood during the construction, when the levee integrity is lacking.

e. Continued Plan Management Your flood response plan should be review ed annually and after each event where

flood levels reach half of the levee or wa ll height, or where an unusual or unexpected

incident has occurred.

Annual plan updates should include verificati on that sources of emergency equipment, contact names and telephone numbers are cu rrent, review of evacuation routes and emergency shelter locations.40 After a flood or flood exercise, closely examine the events and actions taken to determine whether they were effective a nd efficient. Because floods may occur decades apart, it’s important that informati on be recorded for use in future planning efforts. Debriefing sessions, with all pa rticipants represented, provide valuable feedback on the lessons learned. Note which actions worked well, and identify the reason for their success. Note which actions could be improved upon, and solicit suggestions to correct the problems. Colle ct data on the response effort, such as necessary materials, equipment, man-hour estimates, weather reports, and monitoring reports. Compare the planned responses with the actions taken, and incorporate the information learned into the plan.

Updated information should be forwarded to the Corps and to your local and state Emergency Operations Center.

3.3 Training and Exercises. As the public sponsor, you are responsible for training personnel to operate, maintain, and patrol your FCW. The Corps encourages you to hol d training or flood control exercises at least once a year. There are many reasons to hold thes e exercises. First, they show new personnel how to do things like operate the closure stru ctures, respond to sandboils and patrol the FCW during a flood. Second, none of the plans you’ve developed for a flood response are any good unless they’re practiced and communicated to t hose who need them. Training exercises also let you know how much time and manpower is necessa ry to complete certain tasks. Important practical considerations and phys ical limitations that could be easily overlooked in a plan become clearly exposed dur ing an actual exercise.

At a minimum, these exercises should include:

− Physical operation of projec t features such as sluice gates, pumping stations, and

closure structures

− Notification of emergency response personnel

− Testing communications/ backup communications system

− Mobilization of monito ring teams, and monitoring project features

− Basic flood fight techniques, su ch as how to ring a sandboil

− Coordination and control (between volunt eers, patrols, operators, nearby levee districts, the highway department, the state Emergency Operations Center, the Corps, etc.)

− Dissemination of information to the public41 The exercises can also be more elaborate, to include other emergencie s that may take place during a flood such as car accidents or gas spills occurring when interior streets are flooded or

evacuation routes are flooded. The exercise s should be tailored to your community. Representatives from agencies or organizations that would actually be called upon, such as medical personnel, public works, and the mayor’s office might be involved in planning more complex exercises. You are encouraged to invo lve the local and state Emergency Operations Center in these events, and your local Corps district can also provide technical assistance for training and exercises as needed.

Documentation of the exercise is important to identify where a ny shortfalls exist in planning and coordination, training, personnel , equipment, and facilities. Debriefing sessions held with all participants can provide valuable feedback on the effectiveness of policies and procedures, identification of areas of improvement and sugges tions to correct defici encies. Lessons learned during the exercise should be incorporated into the project operations plan and local emergency operations plan.

3.4 Relations with Local and State Partners There are usually many ways that your county and state can assist you during a flood. For example, states may provide trucks, tractors, radios, helicopters for emergency inspections, support from the National Guard, or financial assistance. If you run out of supplies needed for a flood fight, you should try to find the needed s upplies at the local and state level, before requesting this aid from the fe deral government. The Corps expect s counties and states to be involved with the levee districts, and provides support only when state resources are being fully utilized. For these reasons, you are strongly encouraged to maintain relations with the Emergency Managers at your lo cal and state Emergency Operat ions Center and to contact them at least once annually, well in advance of a flood. You should keep them informed on the condition of your project, and send them ongoing situation report s during a flood response. It’s very important that you know what kinds of su pport the state can provide, and that you know

who to call in order to get the support you need.42 This page intentionally left blank.43 

## 4. ACTIONS DURING HIGH WATER EVENTS

This chapter provides sample framework that you could use as a starting point as you develop your community’s flood response plan, as described in Chapter 3. The chapter outlines many of the steps that are recommended immediatel y before, during, and after high water events. Not everything that’s included here will be applicable in all situations, and there’s a lot of important information you may find necessary to add. Building on the material presented, a flood response plan should be developed that wo uld identify and prioritize the gi ven activities, identify locations along your FCW which would require atten tion, go into more specific

details as to how the tasks should be completed, and specify who within your community would be responsible for them. Additional detail s on some of the steps listed (for example, how to raise a levee) are presented in Appendix D.

The response activities listed below have been broken up into two phases. Phase I activities include the preliminary response activities that s hould be completed before the river rises to its bank full stage. By the time the river reaches its bank full stage, everything should be ready, and all necessary personnel should be prepared to respond to the flood. Phase II activities include the things that should take place once the river has ri sen to some gage-height beyond bank full, which is something should be decided ahead of time. With some rivers, it’s possible to specify a river gage level th at would indicate when the acti vities should expand from Phase I to Phase II. Other rivers rise more quickly, and the expansion of res ponse activities depends more on the developing situation than on a pr edetermined gage height. In developing your flood response plan, consider the characteristics of all adjacent rivers and streams. Flashing streams and rivers require rapi d response, while moderately ri sing streams or rivers allow greater reaction and warning time . It’s essential that your flood fighting activities are based on

the available time.

4.1 Phase I: Preliminary Response Activities

a. Public Sponsor Duties Upon receipt of official information forecasting imminent high water, the levee district should immediately alert all project pers onnel concerned in flood fighting operations, mobilizing a skeleton organization capable of quick expansion. If the public sponsor is responsible for many miles of a levee system, definite sections of the levee should be assigned to individual section leaders/ s upervisors. Additionally during Phase I, the sponsor should:

i. Review emergency plans and past less ons learned; identify problem areas.

ii. Verify that personnel have access to the ga te keys, current rosters, a listing of project features and closings, plans, and other critical items.

iii. Coordinate efforts with communitie s upstream and downstream of you.

iv. There may be isolated gates or valves on private property, and the owners may need to be alerted to take action.44 v. Alert the community to the potentia l of flooding. This will give them advance warning to take action to minimize potential damage to their

business or home.

vi. Keep local/state Emergency Operations Center informed of the situation.

vii. Begin documenting the situation; send situ ation reports to the local or state EOC and to the Army Corps of Engineer s as necessary. (It’s not necessary to send reports to the Corps every time there’s high water; only during unusual

situations or when there’s the potential for significant damage or overtopping.)

b. Initial Project Inspection As soon as they’ve been notified that high wa ter is expected, secti on leaders/ superiors should immediately make a thorough inspection of their section of the levee, omitting nothing from this inspection based on ade quate performance during past high water

events. In addition to the it ems that are typically inspected during patrols (which are listed in part c, below), special attention needs to be given to the following items during this initial inspection. (Note that several of th ese items can and should be accomplished annually and not wait for a high water prediction.)

i. Section Limits: Ensure that the dividi ng line between sect ions/section leaders are clearly defined and marked, if necessary.

ii. Condition of any recent repairs to the levee.

iii. Water conditions and any accumulati on of trash, debris, ice, etc.

iv. Transportation Facilities: road s, rail, and water access.

v. Material Supply: Identify location, qua ntity, and conditions of all necessary tools and materials (sacks, sandbags, lumber, lights, etc.) and distribute and store them at points where maintenance is anticipated.

vi. Communications: Locate and check a ll two-way radios and telephones.

vii. Drainage Structures: Most drainage structures are situated to convey interior drainage from low points of the prot ected area through the levee by gravity flow. Because of the location, drainage structures are generally subject to inundation at lower stages than most other project features, and special attention needs to be given to flap ga tes and other drainage structures that might not be accessible later. (See section d, below, for maintenance during high water.)

c. Patrols To minimize damage and to prevent the FCW from failing, any problems must be detected early and treated appropriately. Th e entire FCW should be patrolled at least once a day during the Phase 1 response and c ontinually during Phase II. Patrols should be conducted by teams, rather than by i ndividuals. Many of the tasks typically accomplished during high water inspections and patrols are listed below. Any significant or unusual conditions identified should be reported to the Army Corps of Engineers. The following section lists some typical responsibilities of patrols.45 i. Patrol Responsibilities:

General items

− Record gage readings. (hourly)

− Inspect fences on the riverside of the levee frequently to make sure they are free from debris. If debris does collect along the fence, it must be cleared immediately or the fence must be cut to free the debris and decrease the possibility of damage to the levee.

− Verify that all necessary access roads and ramps along the levee are usable or will be satisfactorily conditioned.

− Take photographs of all significant issues. (Use date/time stamp on your camera when possible)

Levees

− Look for sandboils or unusual wet areas landward of the landside toe.

− Look for slides or soughs in levee side slopes.

− Look for wave wash or scouring of the riverside levee slope.

− Look for low areas in levee crown.

− Monitor relief wells (flowing/non-flowing).

− Check flap/sluice gates for proper closure.

− Check gap closures (stoplog/ sandbag, etc.).

Floodwalls

− Look for saturated areas or sandboils landward of the floodwall.

− Look for settlement (movement) of the floodwall.

− Look for bank caving which may affect the structural stability of the

floodwall.

− Inspect toe drain risers (discharging/non-discharging).

− Inspect the landside of floodwall for any leakage , especially around the monolith joints.

− Inspect for wet areas , soft areas , seeps , and sink holes landward of the toe

of the floodwall.

− Check gap closures (stoplog/ sandbag, etc.).

Pump Stations

− Verify proper ventilation (fans on, vents open, etc.) of the pumping plant, to prevent overheating of pump motors.

− Look for sink holes or wet areas around the perimeter of the pumping plant,

and/or settlement of the pump house, all of which could potentially be the result of separation in the conduits. If this condition is suspected, the pumps

and motors should be shut down un til an engineering review can be conducted to analyze the condition.

− Verify that assigned operato rs are on duty 24 hours daily.46 ii. Equipment for Patrols

− Portable radio or cell phone

− Watch

− Log book

− Patrolling instructions

− Plan of action for patrolling

− Plans of flood control project

− Operation and Maintenan ce Manual for the project

− Weather gear

− Flashlights

− Record Log

− Life Jackets

− Probing rod

− Short wooden stakes

− 40 feet of 1⁄2 inch nylon safety line to connect team members

− Camera

iii. Safety/Security Precautions

The members of the patrol team should wa lk side by side with one person on the

water side of the levee near the water surf ace, one at the top of the levee, and one

on the land side toe of the levee. The team should move slowly enough to enable the member closest to the water to probe below the surface with a rod, to discover any erosion that may be taking place. The person closest to the water should be wearing a safety line.

The person walking closest to the water s hould be especially observant of floating objects. The limbs and roots of a floati ng tree that has been uprooted can extend

above the water surf ace and strike anyone walking along the water’s edge. To increase the chance of seeing floating obj ects, it’s best to walk upstream when patrolling the water side of the levee.

When patrolling floodwalls, the patrol shou ld not attempt to walk the top of the wall, but should concentrate on potential probl em areas on the land side (inside) of the wall. Where the wall is more than five feet above the land side ground level, it is recommended that observation points be selected every 100 yards or so, and

ladders used to observe the water side of the floodwall.

Each person on the patrol should be thoroughly familiar with the community evacuation plan and signals. If evacuati on is necessary, the pa trolling organization should move to a predetermined lo cation and keep the team intact. If evacuated, when returning to the lev ees and floodwalls, physical conditions may be considerably different from those obser ved prior to the evacuation, especially if47 the levee was overtopped. If overtopping occurs du ring the darkness, it’s recommended that the patrols not be resumed until daylight, though there may be

cases where this recommendation can’t be followed.

Patrols should also keep an eye out for a nyone that seems out of place, or who is doing something that looks doubtful. Th ere are unfortunate ly some people, terrorists or otherwise, th at would try to take adva ntage the already dangerous

situations on levees or floodwalls for th eir own purposes. Any suspicious activities observed by the patrol should be reported immediately to the local law enforcement

agency.

iv. Interaction with the public

The patrol team may see observers on the le vees or at floodwalls. If there are many observers, it is recommended that an additional person be assigned to each patrol team. This additional person will act as a safety officer, explaining the dangers that are present. The patrol team is not respons ible to order observers off the levees and

floodwalls.

It is recommended that each team carry and pass out instruction cards describing the community evacuation plan. It is impor tant to pass out information, so the observers are aware of the danger.

d. Phase 1 General Maintenance Activities Once the initial inspection has been completed, each section leader should organize his labor force to take care of any pressing maintenance issues, before the river rises further. Emergency maintenance activities are no substitute for normal annual maintenance, and many of the activities li sted here should not wait until high water.

i. Because of their location, drainage st ructures are generally subject to inundation at lower stages than most other features of the flood control project, and any maintenance problems need to be identified and corrected as quickly as possible before the water rise s. Manually check all flap gates that are critical or in questi onable repair, and maintain as needed. Sluice gates should be inspected before the outlet end of the structure becomes submerged, and any trash, debris, or other potential obstruction present should be removed. If, for any reas on, the gate system on a drainage structure fails to operate and cannot be repaired because of high water, immediate consideration should be gi ven to blocking the structure opening by other means. If stream stages permit, the outlet end of the structure should be blocked using timber, metal plates, ta rps, sandbags, or by other means. If the efforts to plug the outlet structure fail, immediate action should be taken to build a sandbag or earth ring around th e inlet structure. While the primary concern in blocking the structures is to prevent high stages of the river from48 flowing into the protected area, emergenc y closures should be such that they can be readily removed after the river recedes.

ii. Immediate attention should be given to the grade line of each levee section or profile by comparison of existing grades with those shown in “As Built” record drawings. Fill any holes, gulli es, and washes in the levee crown, embankments, and landside berms with compacted fill material if possible, or otherwise fill them with sandbags. (See Appendix D for details)

iii. Examine all drainage ditches on the la ndside of the levee and remove any obstructions. Be prepared to construct seepage drainage di tches, but not until actual seepage appears. Excavation of d itches near the levee or in the long berm area is hazardous and should not be undertaken except under direct supervision of the section leader a nd with the advice of the Corps of Engineer advisor assi gned to that unit.

iv. Repair all levee settlement or depr essions which have been worn down below levee grade. Materials to be us ed in filling hole s and depressions should be obtained from distant sources (not adjacent to a levee system) unless it has been determined that borrowing in areas adjacent to the levee will not adversely affect its stability or the control of underseepage. Avoid taking material for these repairs from the area adjacent to the levee, particularly in the area of the seepag e berm, except under direct supervision

of the section leader and with the advi ce of the Corps of Engineer advisor. The fill material should be compacted and protected from wave wash and other erosion as necessary.

e. Other Phase 1 Activities Once the initial inspection has been completed, each section leader should organize his labor force to perform the maintenance wo rk as described in Appendix D of this manual. Additional activities to complete during Phase I are listed below:

i. Review assignments for patrols, closings, etc.

ii. Obtain lists of all construction equi pment, motorboats, cars, earthmoving equipment and trucks that can be made available.

iii. Assess needed support (Veh icles, radios, etc).

iv. Verify serviceability of flood fighting equipment.

v. Record gage readings an d monitor river stages.

vi. Close the levee to the public and remove cattle as necessary.

vii. Install levee or floodwall closures as necessary. (Remember to coordinate all road closings with the Department of Transportation or railroad authorities before limiting road or ra il access through the levee!)

viii. Remove all dynamite and explosives from the vicinity of the levee.49 4.2 Phase II: Full Response Activities

a. Continuing Activities

i. Patrol continuously, 24/7 (a s the situation requires).

ii. Be sure all of the closures and gates are in place, and all maintenance is complete as described in Phase I, above.

iii. Completely remove padlocks from a ccess gates to facilitate patrols.

iv. Monitor inventory of flood fighting e quipment, materials and supplies as they are used.

v. Keep the public informed of the curr ent situation through the media, if

warranted.

vi. Repair any erosion and seepage problems identified by patrols as quickly as possible, as described in Appendix D of this manual.

vii. During flood periods, compet ent operators should be on duty whenever it appears that operation is imminent, ev en when station operation has been automated. Operators should thoroughly understand the manner in which the pumping station was designed to operate and be capable of manual operation should automated equipment or sensors fail.

viii. Portable pumps may be used to pump water over the levee, if water is ponding in undesirable areas or is ri sing too quickly in ponding areas. Ponding areas should be continually patrolled during high water.

ix. Monitor debris basins and trashracks for sediment and accumulated debris.

As debris and sediment continue to be deposited in the basin, debris loads will substantially block racks, and sedi ment deposits will block the entrance to the basin, forcing the flow against the sides. Any large accumulation of

debris on racks or flow directed on the sides of basins will cause local

erosion and scour. Levees and concrete st ructures that are part of the debris basin facility will need to be closely monitored to ensure performance.

Debris should be removed from trashr acks at pumping sta tions periodically when the station is in operation.

b. Volunteer Assistance If it becomes necessary to re cruit volunteers during the fl ood fight, there are a number of steps that can be taken to organize their support.

i. Identify primary and alternate asse mbly areas, with adequate parking.

ii. Arrange transportation, subsistence, and shelter for the labor force as appropriate.

iii. Contact media to request that volunt eers report to the designated assembly area, bringing flashlight, work glove s, rain gear, shovel, and a snack.

iv. Maintain sign-in roster at assemb ly area, to account for volunteers and personnel (name, home phone number, address, work group assignm ent).50 v. Identify staging areas, away from the wo rk site but as clos e to the flood fight locations as possible and with good access to clear roads. Separate areas in the staging site should be established for:

− sandbag filling

− carrying and loading

− materials stockpiles

− rest and breaks

− first aid

vi. Establish an emergency operations center to oversee the flood fight operations, and for interagency coordinati on. This operations ce nter is to be manned 24 hours daily until the emergenc y is over. Consider equipping the

EOC with:

− Radios and telephones for communication

− Television and/or radio to mon itor weather and river forecasts

− Emergency generator in case of power outages

− Flashlights

− Administrative supplies

− Levee operations and maintenance manuals

− All emergency action plans

− Past flood reports/ af ter action reports

− State, county, and local maps; utility, flood plain, and levee maps

− Telephone books, phone rosters, and a directory listing numbers for the Army Corps of Engineers’ Emergency Operation Center, railroad/ highway departments (needed when closing access) , local contractors, the Red Cross, Salvation Army, hospitals, the police a nd fire departments, local and state Emergency Operations Centers, and other critical numbers

vii. Establish traffic patterns that will be used to move the sandbags from the staging area to the work site. If cond itions permit, one-way traffic patterns should be established on the levee system if trucks are going to be used to transport the filled sandbags to the laying party.

viii. Be certain that the peop le laying sandbags are we ll supervised by a trained

individual that knows how to properly lay the sandbags.

4.3 Evacuation Plans You should be ready with a plan to evacuate the area. Consider the following points:

a. Imm ediately coordinate evacuation with police, fire depart ment, and responders.

b. Remove sign-in roster and contact in formation from EOC, if possible.

c. Follow the predetermined plan for evacuation.

d. Meet in predetermined locations & immediat ely verify the safety of all personnel.51 4.4 After the Event

Once the water has subsided and it isn’t predicted to rise again, the area should be returned to the pre-flood condition.

a. Reopen any sluice gates that were clos ed, once the water on the river side has

receded to 3 inches below the pond level on the protected side.

b. Open all closure structures and properly store all components.

c. All temporary protection measures (e .g. sandbags and material placed during temporary levee raises) must be removed and disposed of properly.

d. Take an inventory of all remaining flood fight equipment, sandbags, plastic, and other supplies. Repair or replace damage d equipment, and restock supplies such as sandbags or plastic in prepar ation for the next flood event.

e. Salvage any materials and supp lies (e.g. wood from flashboards).

f. Return all borrowed equipment.

g. Identify whether remaining materials can be reused within the community.

h. Inspect the entire flood control work, noting locations of damage and the extent of damage at each location.

i. Coordinate potential reha bilitation with the Army Corps of Engineers. j. Soon after the event, meet with key pe rsonnel, volunteer representatives, and community partners to debrief, share rema ining concerns, and discuss lessons that were learned during the event.

k. Revise local emergency plans to account for lessons learned and changes to recommended procedures.

l. Document the event: keep a map record of the FCW, indicating areas that were in stress at the time of the flooding. This is useful for making repairs or improvements, and for use as a guide to focus attention on these areas during the

next flood event.

m. For future planning, locate and keep record s of the flood’s high water marks; keep these records along with any rainfall and river data you may have gathered.

n. Make repairs to the FCW as soon as possible, in preparation for the next flood

event.

o. Initiate actions to provide a permanent means of flood protection, if the existing system relies heavily on temporary solutions during emergencies.52 This page intentionally left blank.53 

## 5. ADDITIONAL SPONSOR RESPONSIBILITIES

As the public sponsor, you’re re sponsible for ongoing maintenance as discussed in chapter 2, for preparedness activities as discussed in ch apter 3, and for flood response activities during high water as outlined in chapter 4. There are several additional requirements that you should

be aware of.

5.1 Annual Pre-Flood-Season Inspections You should have a pre-flood-season inspection program in place for your flood control projects, using information from this manual along with your own expe rience and resources. The specific maintenance items to look for and some of the co rrective actions that should be taken are discussed in detail in chapter 2 of this manual, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Inspection Guide (Appendix C) can be used as a guide for these inspections. If you’d like more specific advice or information regarding FCW operations, maintenance, or inspections, please contact your Co rps district office. When you make these pre-flood-season inspections, you should document the condition of your project in an an nual inspection report. Items that would be appropriate to document in this report include:

− The name/ location of the FCW

− The date of the inspection

− The name of the inspector

− What project features were inspected

− The overall condition of the project features

− Maintenance that has been completed

− Maintenance that is be ing preformed currently

− Maintenance items that need to be accomplished in the future

− Photographs showing flood damages, noted deficiencies, and overall project

condition.

− Maintenance costs incurred for the fl ood control project that year, etc.

5.2 Public Awareness Activities Many sponsors of flood control projects have tr ouble finding the fundi ng and support they need to make necessary repairs and improvement s. The best examples of well supported levee

districts are those that have ensured that local businesse s and citizens understand the flood hazard and the importance of the flood control system. While public awareness activities are not required for participation in the RIP, the key to ensuring support from your community lies in promoting a public awarenes s of the situation. You may be able to promote a greater awareness of key issues through publications and planned public m eetings, as described

below.54 a. Provide Public Materials Flood protection is interesting! Many people will take the time to read through

brochures or leaflets detai ling local flood protection if th is material is provided to them. You might also release annual newsle tters or articles for newspapers on the subject. Information should be presented on the following topics:

i. The areas protected

ii. The key elements/ equipment in the local flood control system

iii. How the system works

iv. The regular impact on the community and ongoing costs for regular operation and maintenance

v. The consequences if it fails

vi. Local flood evacuation plans

vii. Historical overview of pa st floods and experiences

viii. Flood response plans and procedures- how the community can contribute

b. Schedule Public Meetings Unless there’s an actual flood, attendance at public meetings on flood control may be discouraging, especially if the public is poorly informed on flood control to begin with. You may find it useful to combine such mee tings with discussions on local industry or other issues, or to raise certain issues during community events. Always try to involve industry and local groups in your decision ma king process, so they will support what you’re doing.

5.3 Awareness of Adjacent Systems A flood control system is made up of many comp onents, and won’t prot ect you unless they all work together properly. You need to understand how adjacent sections of levee or components on private property impact the larger system . Even though these components might not be situated within your area of responsibility, your community could stil l be flooded if adjacent systems don’t operate properly.

5.4 Permits Whenever you plan to modify the FCW, be sure to get the appropriate lo cal, state, tribal, or federal permits (or waivers for these permits). The process of getting some of these permits may be cumbersome, expensive, and frustrating, a nd may be more difficult in some states than in others. However, you must be prepared to get these permits in order to comply with the law. If you make changes to your flood control project without first obta ining the necessary permits, you may be denied rehabilitation assi stance after a flood, regardless of whether a Corps inspector noticed the changes and aske d to view the permits during a Continuing Eligibility Inspection. Please unders tand that this requirement wa sn’t invented so that the Corps can deny post flood assistance. Modificat ions to your FCW don’t only affect your own community but can also affect communities upst ream and downstream of you as well, or can have a negative impact environmentally; so it’s important that any pr oposed modifications are reviewed and approved by the appropriate parties before you begin construction.55 5.5 Records As the public sponsor, you are responsible for k eeping accurate records of all repairs done to the flood control project, incl uding photographs, plans and specifi cations, as-built drawings, and surveys. Make records of all modifications such as the installation of natural gas pipes, fiber optic cables, and any sewage outfall lin es added by commercial co mpanies or municipal agencies. It’s important to coordinate these t ypes of changes with the Corps and to provide them with copies of the doc uments for their files.

To assist you in the proper maintenance of th e project, it’s also recommended that you keep organized, accurate records of all equipment, maintenance, and inspections. An equipment

database file should be maintained that inde xes equipment by name or title and contains all pertinent data for that equipment, such as ma nufacturer’s instruction books, operatin g pressure limits, parts catalogues, manufactur er’s drawings, reference fiel d tests, special reports on major requirements, and most importantly, chan ges in operating procedures. A preventative maintenance database file for things like pump stations should contain equipment inspection, maintenance data, hours of operation, number of operations, and other significant operating

data.56 This page intentionally left blank.57 Figure 6.1

, Levee breach in Lynden, WA

Figure 6.2 and 6.3 , L evee breaches along the Wabash River 

## 6. REHABILITATION AND INSPECTION PROGRAM (RIP)

6.1 Overview of the Rehabilitation and Inspection Program The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has authority under Public Law (PL) 84-99 to supplement local efforts to repair flood control projects after they get damaged during a flood. There are many things that must be carefully balanced in carrying out this authority, such as the needs of the local community, sensitivity to the environment, the need to apply sound engineering judgment fo r the proper functioning of the FCW, and the need to provide proper stewardship of the taxpayers' dollars with which the Corps is entrusted. In light of all these competing interests, th e Corps has developed a program called the Rehabi litation and Inspection Program (RIP), which specifically defines the types of projects that can be eligible for assistance, and specif ies the ongoing for operation and ma intenance requirements for the FCWs that qualify.

The principal reason the RIP exists is to ensure that flood cont rol works continue to provide reliable protection, so that people’s lives, communities, and improved property are protected from floods. The principal benefit of the RIP fo r you, the public sponsor, is that through this program you can receive federal as sistance to help repa ir your FCW if it becomes damaged in

a flood.58 6.2 Projects that Qualify The Rehabilitation and Inspection Program covers certain levees, channels, floodwalls, flood control dams, retention basins, pump stations, and even some extremely large underground

tunnels that have been built fo r flood control. However, there are certain excl usions to the types of projects that may ente r the program. Projects that don’ t meet the basic criteria below are categorically excluded from the Reha bilitation and Inspection Program. For more information regarding the types of projects that are e ligible for the RIP, refer to ER / EP 500- 1-1, which can be found through the web-link provided in Chapter 1 of this manual.

a. Protecting People and Property The principal function of the project must be to protect people or property from floods. If the project was built or is primarily used for any other purpose, such as channel alignment, recreation, fish a nd wildlife, land reclamatio n, drainage, or to protect against land erosion or tidal inflows, then it’s categorically excluded from admittance

in the RIP.

b. Public Sponsor The project must have a non-federal public sponsor. The public sponsor is the public representative for the project, and represen ts the interests of any private landowners involved. For example, a levee may be c onstructed by a county, which would be the public sponsor, on private land for which the county has an easement from the property owners. A public sponsor is a legally constituted public body with full authority and capability to perform the term s of its agreement as the non- federal partner of the Corps for a project, able to pay damages, if necessa ry, in the event of its failure to perform. The public sponsor may be a state, county, city, town, Federall y recognized Indian tribe or tribal organization, Alaska Native Corporation, or any political subpart of a state or group of states that has the lega l and financial authority and capability to provide the necessary cash contributions, and the lands, easements, rights-of-way, relocations, and borrow and dredged or excav ated materials disposal areas (LERRD's) necessary for the project. Finally, the public sponsor must be legally able to “hold and save” the federal government free from da mages that could ar ise during post-flood

rehabilitations or other work the federal government would undertak e on the FCW. If it ever becomes necessary to rehabilitate th e project, the sponsor will need to sign an agreement limiting the federal government’s liability before the Corps will begin any work on the project.

c. Reliability The project must provide reliable flood pr otection, and it must be technically sound. To provide complete flood protection, the floodwall or levee must either make a complete a ring around the community, or tie into high ground on both the upstream and downstream ends of the project. From an engineering perspective, it has to be geotechnically stable and properly desi gned, and it must be well maintained.59 d. Project Completion Required The project must be completed. If it’s sti ll under construction, it can’t enter the RIP.

e. Minimum Level of Protection To be eligible to enter the RIP, agricu ltural levees (those protecting predominantly agricultural areas or agribusinesses) must be built to provide at least a 5-year level of protection. Urban levees (tho se protecting land with resi dences, public or commercial buildings, industrial facilities, etc.) must provide at least a 10-year level of protection. Drainage channels that were designed and constructed fo r flood control are required to have capacity for a 10 year flood event and must additionally provide drainage to an area 1.5 square miles or greater and have a drainage capacity great er than 800 cfs.

To clarify some of this terminology, a 5-ye ar flood event means that there’s a twenty percent chance of this leve l of flooding every year, not that the flooding actually happens every five years. This means that if an agricultural levee, for example, has a statistical probability of being overtopped more than once every five years, it is categorically ineligible to be in the RIP.

Drainage structures that were specifically constructed for flood control as components of a larger FCW system (such as ponding ar eas or channels carrying water from the ponding area up to and through a levee) are cons idered to be components of the overall FCW system. They would be evaluated for inclusion in the RIP and potential

rehabilitation with the remainder of the FC W. However, natural or modified streams within a levee’d area, includ ing drainage swales such as roadside ditches, are not considered to be components of flood cont rol works and would not be included in the

RIP.

f. Primary Levee Requirement In the case of a levee project , the levee must be a primary levee. Secondary levees are not eligible to enter the rehabilitation program. Exceptions to this policy may be granted if the secondary levee was designed to protect human life or the levee is a major component of the primary levee system and is necessary to assure the flood control protection of the total system.

g. Construction Compliance The project must have been constructed in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local permits, codes, ordinances, and a pplicable laws. This includes flood plain management ordinances in counties wh ere no flood insurance programs exist.60 This page intentionally left blank.61 Figure 7.1

, I nspection of pumping station controls. (OK) 

## 7. CORPS INSPECTIONS

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has established minimum standards for the construction, operation, maintenance, and prepar edness of flood control works that must be met in order for the FCW to be eligible for federal rehabilitation

assistance after a flood. Th is chapter describes the inspections that the Corps conducts in order to monitor the condition of levees, floodwalls, channels, and other FCWs. The information described in this chapter is supplemented in a flowchart in Appendix B, which summarizes the relationships between the Corps’ inspections and the status of a project’s e ligibility for rehabilitation assistance. Additional information on the Corps’ inspections can be found in Appendix C, which is the Inspection Guide used during all Corps inspections of non-federal FCWs.

One important note on Corps inspections and project ratings is that individual sponsors are not treated completely independently, but the Corp s inspects and rates the entire “hydrologically independent” flood control project as one system. This means that if there are multiple public sponsors with responsibility over sections of a si ngle flood control system, then they’ll all pass or fail their inspections togeth er. This only makes sense, becaus e the entire area will flood if one section fails during high water. It’s the re sponsibility of the multiple public sponsors, not of the Corps, to coordinate all necessary responsibilities and oblig ations under the RIP.

7.1 Entering the RIP – The Initial Eligibility Inspection (IEI) To enter the RIP, you should contact your local Corps Emergency Management Office. Upon receiving a request to join the RIP, the Corps will conduct an Initial Eligibility Inspection (IEI) of your non-federal flood control project, which will include an

evaluation of the t echnical capabilities of your project, as we ll as a review of project operation, maintenance, and preparedness. The purpose of the IEI is to determine whether the project meets the specific minimum criteria and standards set forth by the Corps for providing reliable flood protection. During the IEI, the Corps will evaluate things such as the standards of construction, physical location of th e FCW, the cross-section of levees, and the

elevation of levees and floodwalls in relatio n to the anticipated fl ood levels. The Corps normally conducts IEIs when FCWs are undamag ed during low water or normal water-level Active : A status applied to flood control projects concerning their participation

in the Rehabilitati on and Inspection Program under authority of PL 84-99. An Active project has met the Corps’ criteria for entry in to the program, and continues to meet ongoing criteria for continuing eligibility. Only Active projects may receive PL 84-99 rehabilitation assistance to repair damage caused by a flood event or

coastal storm.62 conditions. This allows for more of the FCW to be inspected, so the condition of the project can be determined more accurately.

After the IEI is conducted, you’ll receive a letter w ith the inspection results. If your project is rated “Acceptable,” it is immedi ately placed in an Active status in the RIP. If it’s rated Minimally Acceptable, it’s placed in an Active stat us in the RIP and the letter will indicate the

deficiencies that would need to be corrected in order for your projec t to meet the Corps’ standards for entering the program, as well as a time frame for making these repairs. If the project is rated Unacceptable, the sponsor will be notified of the inspection results and the project will be placed in an Inactive status in the RIP (or may not be entered into the program at all). In this case, the defi ciencies may have come from poor maintenance, or from more fundamental aspects of the FCW such as inadequa te elevation or cross section in relation to the anticipated flood levels. Further inspections of a project receiving an IEI rating of Unacceptable will not be made until the Corps has been notified in writing that such corrective action work has been completed. If you don’t agr ee with the resu lts of the Corps’ evaluation, you may choose at your own expense to provide a detailed engineering study (certified by a licensed professional engineer) of the FCW and request that the Corps reconsider its

evaluation.

7.2 Maintaining Active Status – Continui ng Eligibility Inspections (CEIs) To maintain an Active status in the RIP, you ’re required to provide ongoing maintenance of the project. The Corps monitors this ongoing maintenance through C ontinuing Eligibility Inspections (CEIs), which are c onducted at least every other y ear, though many Corps districts have elected to hold them on a more frequent basis in order to ensure compliance with the requirements of the RIP. CEIs typically don’t go into the same level of detail that IEIs do, since project features such as elevation or cross section don’t need to be reevaluated during continuing inspections. However, the majority of project components ar e inspected using the same criteria that were used during the Initial Eligibility Inspection.

If, during the CEI, the FCW is found to meet the Corps’ standards for the RIP program, it will

remain Active in the RIP. If it’s found to be “M inimally Acceptable,” based on deficiencies in some area of operation or maintenance, you’ll be required to correct th e noted deficiencies, and will be given a timeframe to make those repair s. If the repairs are completed to the Corps’ specifications, the FCW will remain Active in the program. If the repairs are not completed within a timeframe, the FCW will be put into an Inactive status in the RIP. If the FCW is given an “Unacceptable” rating, then the FCW will immediately be put into an Inactive status in the RIP. You will regain your Active status as soon as you send the Corps documentation showing that the repairs are complete.63 7.3 Inspection Methodology Using the Inspection Guide found in Appendix C, each of the individual items or components of the project are rated accord ing to the following table:

INDIVIDUAL ITEM / COMPONENT RATING

SYMBOL CONDITION DEFINITION

A Acceptable The rated item is in satisfactory, acceptable condition, and will function as designed and intended during the next flood event.

M Minimally Acceptable The rated item has a minor deficiency that needs to be corrected. The minor deficiency will not seriously impair the functioning of the item during the next flood event. The overall reliability of the project will be lowered because of the minor deficiency.

U Unacceptable The rated item is unsatisfactory. The deficiency is so serious that the item will not adequately function in the next flood event, compromising the project's ability to provide reliable flood protection.

Once each project feature is rated, the inspector will look through the list of rated items to identify the lowest rating that was given for a project feature. The overall project is rated based on the lowest-rated project feature, and th e overall project status is confirmed as either Active or Inactive in the RIP depe nding on the overall project rating.

DETERMINATION OF OVERALL PROJ ECT RATING AND PROJECT STATUS

If the lowest rated project component is: Then this results in an overall project rating of: And the project status in the RIP is:

Acceptable Acceptable Active

Minimally Acceptable Minimally Acceptable Active, though status is contingent upon completion of required work.

Unacceptable Unacceptable Inactive

Finally, the overall project ra tings are defined as follows:

OVERALL PROJECT RATING

SYMBOL CONDITION DEFINITION

A Acceptable No immediate work required, other than routine maintenance. The flood control project will function as designed and intended, with a high degree of reliability, and neces sary cyclic maintenance is being adequately performed.

M Minimally Acceptable One or more deficient conditions exist in the flood control project that needs to be improved / corrected. However, the project will essentially function as designed and intended, but with a lesser degree of reliability than what the project should provide. Specific items of the project must be improved / corrected.

U Unacceptable One or more deficient conditions that can reasonably be foreseen to prevent the project from functioning as designed, intended, or required.64 This page intentionally left blank.65 

## 8. REHABILITATION ASSISTANCE

The purpose of this chapter is to provide inform ation on the rehabilitation assistance that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can provide if an FCW is dama ged during a flood. It describes

the criteria that must be met before this a ssistance can be given, as well as the process for requesting it and the types of activities to whic h this assistance can be applied. Although the

rehabilitation assistance described in this chapter can only be given to those FCWs with Active status in the RIP, Chapter 9 lists addi tional types of emergency assistance the Corps can provide regardless of your partic ipation or status in the RIP.

8.1 Requesting Rehabilitation Assistance In the event of a significant flood, the Army Corps of Engin eers District Commander will declare the flood an emergency. Immediately afte r the declared flood subsides (when the river goes back down to its bank full condition and is not predicted to rise agai n), the Corps district will issue a “Notice to Public Sponsors,” whic h lets you, as the public sponsor, know that the Corps is accepting requests for rehabilitation. If your project was damaged during the flood, you’ll typically be given 30 days to respond to this notification and submit a formal, written request for rehabilitation assistance. A sample request form can be found in Appendix E.

8.2 Requirements for Receiving Rehabilitation Assistance Upon receipt of your request, the Corps will fi rst determine whether the repairs would be eligible for rehabilitation assistance. There are a number of requirements that must be met before the Corps will provide this assistance:

a. The FCW must have an Active status in the RIP.

b. The FCW must have been damaged by a flood or coastal storm Damages by non-flood events, regardless of whet her they are natural or man-made, are generally not eligible for Co rps assistance under the RIP.

c. Cost / Benefit Calculation To determine whether the cost of the repair is economically justified, the Corps will

calculate the benefits and the costs of th e repair using standa rd principles and guidelines for water resource projects. The calculated benefits will be based on the

benefits to the entire area protected by the complete ( hydrologically independent) flood control system, and the calculated repair costs will reflect the flood damages along the complete flood control system. To qualify for rehabilitation assistan ce, the benefits of the repair must outweigh the cost.

d. Construction Cost Minimum Requirement The construction cost of the repair must be more than $15,000. There are several reasons for this policy. First, damages under $15,000 are considered to be routine maintenance that the public sponsor must unde rtake at its own expense. Second, before the Corps can undertake any project, specialis ts from many differe nt disciplines must review the project. These sp ecialists ensure that real estate and rights-of-way are66 available, review environmental and endangere d species considerations, and verify that the Corps is legally and financially correct in undertaking the repair. This work must be done regardless of how big or small the jo b is. Because of the considerable cost of undertaking this background work, small repair jobs simply don’t justify all of the work needed for Corps involvement.

8.3 Cooperation Agreements If these qualifications are met, then a cooperati on agreement will be prepared. The cooperation agreement is a contract between you, as the p ublic sponsor, and the Corps. It clarifies the

details of the rehabilita tion, including the specif ic work to be done, and sponsor requirements of cost sharing and local cooperation. The Co rps will prepare this document following the format in Appendix F. The sponsor and the Di strict Engineer must sign the cooperation agreement before the rehabilitation can begin, and there could be additional costs involved if it takes more than 30 days for you to sign the document once it’s complete.

The cooperation agreement outlines the cost breakdown for the work. The following sections outline the types of items that will typically be paid for by th e US government, the items that are typically cost shared, and the items that you would usually be responsible for at 100 % local cost. Keep in mind that this isn’t a comp lete list, and that cert ain details have been omitted for brevity. Specific details concerning the cooperation agreement can be found in paragraph 5-10 of ER 500-1-1 and in paragraph 5-13 of EP 500-1-1.

a. Rehabilitation components typically covered at 100% Federal cost The Corps will fund, at 100% federal cost, co sts associated with the preparation and approval of Preliminary Investigation Reports, as well as the engineering and design costs for approved projects.

b. Items typically cost shared at 80% Federal and 20% Local cost

Cost sharable items include construction co sts, contingency cost s for construction, and supervision and administration (S&A) costs.

There are several details you should know about your 20% local cost share contribution. Most importantly, it may be a combination of cash or work in kind. The value of work in kind is determined by the Corps as the estimated cost that the Corps would have to pay if it was to perform or contract for the same work. (Be aware that the Corps won’t reimburse you for work in kind that you contribute beyond your 20% requirements.) Also, cash contributions could potentially include funds from other federal agencies, as long as the other agency confirms in writing that their money can legally be spent on the rehabilitation.67 c. Items you are responsible for at 100% local cost

These items do not constitute credit toward s your 20% local cost share, but are additional costs for which you will be responsible.

i. LERRDs All suitable Lands, Easements and Rights- of-way, including borrow and dredge material disposal areas, and relocations (e.g., roadways, utilitie s, etc.) that are necessary to perform the required repairs and to secure the necessary permits.

ii. Betterments Any construction effort that increases the pr otected area, provides features that did not exist prior to the flood event, or in creases the degree or level of protection provided by the FCW are cons idered betterments, and ar e not eligible for funding under the RIP. Examples of betterments mi ght include increasing the height of a levee, or the placement of riprap wher e none previously existed. Repairs that incorporate modern material s or technologies commonly in corporated into current designs (for example, the use of geotext ile fabric) are not considered betterments and may be cost shared as part of the rehab ilitation work.

iii. Deliberate Levee Cuts Rehabilitation assistance will generally not be provided for the repair of levees that were deliberately breached by the public s ponsor. For example, as river levels begin to recede after a flood, a public spons or may wish to intentionally breach the levee in order to let out ponded water. Th e repairs for this deliberate levee cut would not be eligible for rehabilitation assistance.

However, there may be cases when the Corps acknowledges a valid need for a deliberate levee cut in order to protect the integrity of the levee (or adjacent levee system) and minimize overall damages from a flood. If you consult with the Corps before making a deliberate levee cut and th e Corps specifically approves the cut, then an exception would be made to the above policy and rehabilitation assistance could be provided to repair the breach.

iv. Repairs that wouldn’t be the least cost alternative to the Federal

Government If you prefer an alternative me thod of repair that is not the least cost alternative, you are responsible for paying 100% of the cost difference between the two alternatives. For example, the transporta tion of borrow material from the closest acceptable borrow source (as determined by the Corps) is a cost sharable item (80/20). However, if you wanted to use bo rrow material from a further source, then you’re responsible for paying for 100% of the transportation costs beyond what would have been incurred, had you opted for the closer source.68 v. Maintenance Deficiencies

If maintenance deficiencies are noted dur ing a routine inspection, and your project is rated “Minimally Acceptable,” you will be given a period of time to make the repairs. If the maintenance is still outs tanding when there is a flood, you are still responsible for 100% of the cost of this deferred maintenance. The maintenance repairs must be completed either prior to or concurrently with any approved project rehabilitation. It may be po ssible to have the Corps make the repairs along with the project rehabilitation, but the cost associated with the deferred maintenance is still your responsibility, and will be added to your 20% cost-share for the rehabilitation. To clarify this issue, here are two exampl es of deferred maintenance that would be the responsibility of the public sponsor:

Deferred Maintenance Example 1: Fl ap Gate Requires Maintenance During a CEI, it was found that a flap gate for a culvert was not closing properly and required maintenance. After the CEI and before the public sponsor fixed the problem, there was a flood. Because the flap gate didn’t close properly, the levee around the culvert was eroded, necessitating earthwork and a new culvert. The public sponsor will be responsible for 100% of the cost of repairing the flap gate. Depending on the circumstances and the actions the local sponsor had taken to repair the fl ap gate and reduce the amount of flood damage, the sponsor may be responsibl e for replacing the culvert and the damage to the levee as well.

Deferred Maintenance Exampl e 2: Rusted Metal Pipe A corrugated metal pipe runs through th e levee. Over time, it has rusted significantly, and is in danger of failure. It’s noted in a CEI that the pipe needs to be replaced. Even though the repair of the pipe would be a large expense, this type of repair is considered to be part of regular maintenance and is the sponsor’s responsibility. If the pipe collaps es and causes the levee to fail at this location during a flood, the sponsor is not only responsible for the cost of a new pipe and installation, but also for the comp lete cost of repair to the surrounding levee. (If the pipe fails but the levee fa ilure was unrelated to the rusted pipe, then the Corps may assist with the re pairs, but the sponsor would still be responsible for replacing a nd installing a new pipe.)69 8.4 Nonstructural Alternatives to Rehabilitation If your FCW is damaged in a flood and is eligib le for rehabilitation assistance, the project could be repaired as previously discussed, or you could request a N onstructural Alternative Project (NSAP) in lieu of the structural repair . This option essentially allows you to use the federal funding that would have been authorized to rehabilitate your flood control work, and apply it towards the restoration of the flood plains or floodways that were originally in your area. Because of this, you would typically only choose a nonstructural alternative (NSA) once you were absolutely sure that you no longer wa nted to rely on your FCW to protect you from floods. Some of the things an NSA might fund include the acqui sition of land for the project, the removal of utility connections and other stru ctures, the total or partial removal of levee reaches, and the restoration of natural habitats. If you’re thinking of requesting an NSA, remember that the Corps may, in its sole discre tion, reject a request fo r an NSA if it believes that the project would lead to significantly increased fl ood protection expenses, would negatively impact adjacent or near by FCWs, or would lead to incr eased risk to life or property during flood events. Once an NSAP is implemen ted, the project is no longer eligible for rehabilitation assistance because it will no longe r be functioning as a flood control project.70 This page intentionally left blank.71 

## 9. OTHER TYPES OF ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

Whereas the rehabilitation assistance described in the previous chapte r is only provided to sponsors of flood control works that have an Ac tive status in the RIP, the purpose of this chapter is to present information on other emer gency related assistance the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can provide you, regard less of your participation or stat us in the RIP. In fact, the assistance described in this chapter may be provided regardless of whether there is any Flood Control Work protecting your community. The other types of assistance authorized under PL 84-99 include technical assistance with pr eparedness activities such as planning and training, advance measures assistance, direct assistance during and immediately after a flood, and emergency water assistance which may be provided during droughts or when your primary water source becomes contaminated.

It should be noted that all of the assistance described in th is chapter would be of a temporary

nature to meet immediate threat s, and is not intended to provid e permanent solutions to flood or water problems. Remember that the Corps wi ll only provide these types of assistance after local and state authorities have committed all available resources and are still unable to cope with the situation, and in some cases will only do so if the benefits of constructing the project are found to outweigh the cost of the constructi on. Finally, except in the case of technical or direct assistance, the Corps will only consider requests for these categories of assistance if they come from the governor of a state, or from a Native American tribal leader. If you, as the public sponsor, believe that one of these type s of assistance would be appropriate in your situation, first speak with your Corps district o ffice to determine what sorts of details would need to be included in the request, and then co ordinate your request so that it comes to the Corps through the proper official channels.

9.1 Technical Assistance The Corps is authorized to furnish technical a ssistance to local authorities at their request, advising them in their efforts to maintain the integrity of their FCWs. Technical assistance consists of providing technical review advice, and/or recomme ndations in support of state and local agency efforts, and helping determine f easible solutions to uncommon situations. The following are examples of technical assistance:

a. Provision of Experienced Personnel Providing experienced Corps pe rsonnel to inspect existing FCWs and/or structurally threatened dams to identify potential probl ems and recommend corrective measures, to evaluate conditions to determine the requirements for additional flood control protection, and to recommend the most e xpedient emergency construction methods.

b. Flood fight Techniques Providing personnel to give guida nce on flood fight techniques.72 c. Hydraulic, Geotechnical and Topography Providing hydraulic or hydrol ogic analysis, geotechnical evaluations, topography and available stream data, maps, and hi storic flood or storm information.

d. Provision of Information Providing information, which is readily availa ble at Corps districts, for use in the preparation of local evacuation and/or contingency flood plans.

9.2 Direct Assistance The Corps is authorized under PL 84-99 to provid e direct assistance to local communities in response to flooding or coastal emer gencies. Direct assistance ma y include, but is not limited to, issuing supplies, the loan of flood fight supplies and equipment, assistance with contingency contracting during em ergencies, and supplemental s upport to aid local authorities in rescue operations and in the direction of flood fight operations. This is done in order to protect public facilities, residences, or impr oved property from floodi ng, or when there’s a potential for loss of life. As a matter of polic y, the Corps limits its flood fight activities on agricultural levees to technical assistance. Direct assistance doe s not need to be requested by the governor of a state, and may initially be granted base d on a verbal request, though a written request must follow and a signed coopera tion agreement must be signed before it can be provided. Legal responsibility for the actions remains with the requesting state or local

official. For more details on di rect assistance, please cont act your local Corps district.

9.3 Advance Measures Assistance Advance measures assistance is another type of assistance available under authority of PL 84-99. Advance measures assistance is provided when there is a clear prediction that there is an imminent threat of unusual flooding, whic h would result in substantial flood damages to an area if no preventative action is taken in advance of the floodi ng. Advance measures assistance is provided prior to the predicted unusual flooding, and can in clude technical and/or direct assistance such as supplies, equipmen t, and/or emergency contracting, through which the Corps may be able to repair , strengthen, or tempor arily raise your flood control projects, or remove stream obstructions. However, there are several key qualifications to this type of assistance that significantly restrict the types of situations where it can be provided, and these are listed below. Please contact your local Corps district for the terms of local cooperation, for details on the governor’s request, or for ot her details regarding this assistance.

a. Imminent Threat & Unusual Flooding The Corps must determine that an “imminent threat” of “unusual flooding” exists in order to approve advance measures projects . The evaluation of the threat must come from an objective, statistically supported source like the Nationa l Weather Service. The determination of what qualifies as “unusual flooding” is subjective, but for example, if it has been pred icted that the flood ing will approach an area’s flood of record or will be greater than a 50-year level of floodi ng, these m ay be considered unusual flood events. Be aware, however, that some areas of the country get flooded so frequently that sometimes even a 50-year fl ood isn’t always considered a particularly unusual event. Again, this is a subjective determination that’s made by the Corps.73 b. Project Investigation Report The Corps will prepare a project invest igation report before advance measures assistance is provided. This repo rt is needed to evaluate a nd justify the c onstruction of an advance measures project, and this partic ular type of assistance wouldn’t be given in cases where there wouldn’t be sufficient time to complete this investigation before the flooding is expected.

c. Temporary Protection Only Advance measures projects will only be constructed to pr ovide temporary protection from flooding, and must be removed or upgrad ed by the public sponsor to meet federal flood protection standards, after the flood threat has passed. This assist ance is not to be used as a means of circumventing the norma l authorization process to have the Corps construct more permanent FCWs, and is not to be used as a “quick fix” for local agencies that do not adequately perfor m regular and routine maintenance.

9.4 Post Flood Assistance Immediately following a major flood, hurricane, or coastal storm, the governor of your state may request post food assistance

, in writing, from the District E ngineer. This request must be made concurrently with or im mediately after the governor’s re quest to FEMA for a disaster

declaration under the Stafford Act. Post flood a ssistance may be either technical or direct

assistance and is limited to actions to save lives and protect improved property. The Corps may assist in clearing flood-depos ited debris in order to reopen critical transportation routes (to provide access to medical facilities, for ex ample), or to clear watercourses, drainage channels, bridge openings, water intakes, sewer outfalls, or other structures, if critical for the restoration of public services, public safety or to prevent fu rther significant damage. This assistance may be provided for a maximum of te n days of receipt of the governor’s request. No work will be performed after the 10-day period expired, or initiated subsequent to a presidential disaster declaration or denial.

The assistance won’t be provided directly to individual homeowners, businesses, or agricultural property, an d won’t be provided for efforts to collect post-f lood data. Please contact your local Corps district for details on the governor’s request, for the terms of local cooperation, or for other details re garding this type of assistance.

9.5 Emergency Water Assistance If requested by the governor of a state, the Corps may provide temporary emergency water for human consumption to drought distressed areas or to those areas with contaminated water sources in order to meet minimum public h ealth and welfare requirements. Long-term solutions to water supply problems are the responsibility of state and loca l interests. Typically, the Corps will fund the transpor tation of water to areas with extreme drought, but will not purchase the actual water. For more details on this type of assistance, please contact your Corps district office.74 This page intentionally left blank.Appendix A- Acronyms and Definitions

1 

## APPENDIX A: ACRONYMS AND DEFINITIONS

Section I -Acronyms

AR - Army Regulation

BCR - Benefit Cost Ratio

CEI - Continuing Eligibility Inspection

CFR - Code of Federal Regulations

EM - Engineer Manual, Emergency Manager, Emergency Management

EOC - Emergency Operations Center

EP - Engineer Pamphlet

ER - Engineer Regulation

FCCE - Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies

FCW - Flood Control Work

ICW - Inspection of Completed Works

IEI - Initial Eligibility Inspection

LERRDs - Lands, easements, rights-of-way, relo cations, and borrow and dredged or excavated materials disposal areas.

NSAP - Nonstructural Alternatives Project

O&M - Operations and Maintenance

OMRR&R - Operation, Maintenance, Repair , Replacement, and Rehabilitation

PCA - Project Cooperation Agreement.

PIR - Project Information Report

PL - Public Law

RIP - Rehabilitation and Inspection Program

USACE - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

USC - United States Code

WRDA - Water Resources Development Act

Section II - Definitions

Active . A status applied to FCWs concerning participation in the Rehabilitation and Inspection Program under author ity of PL 84-99. An Active project must have met the Army Corps of Engineer’s criteria for entry and been entered into the RIP. Only Active projects may

receive rehabilitation assistance to repair damages caused by a flood event or coastal storm.

Agricultural Levee . A levee that provides at least a 5-year level of flood protection to predominantly agricultural areas or agribus inesses. May be federal or non-federal.

Betterment. During repair of an FCW, any construc tion effort that increases the area protected, provides features that did not exist prior to the flood ev ent, or increas es the degree or level of protection provided by the FCW. Ex amples of betterments include increasing the height of a levee, or providing ri prap where none previously existed.Appendix A- Acronyms and Definitions

2 Channel. A natural or artificial watercourse with definite bed and banks to confine and conduct flowing water.

Channel Capacity. The maximum flow that can pass through a channel wit hout overflowing

the banks.

Cooperation Agreement. An agreement entered into by a Di strict Commander (acting as the agent for the Department of the Army on beha lf of the United States Government) and the public sponsor for the purpose of identifying each party's rights and obligations concerning the expenditure of federal funds under authority of PL 84-99.

Deflection Weir. Also known as a bendway we ir, this is a structure (earth, rock, or timber) built part way across a river for the purpose of controlling erosion and maintaining the navigation channel.

Deliberate Levee Cut. A deliberate cut made in a levee, with the intention of either protecting the integrity of the structure (or an adjacent struct ure) from actual or forecasted river stages, or reducing the overall anticipated damages expected to occur to the existing structure by the current flood event. See also Dewatering Levee Cut.

Dike. In some areas of the United States, this term is used synonymously with levee. In other areas, it is used for the kind of structure referr ed to in this manual as a deflection, or bendway weir. Some people use it exclusively to refer to the salt-water version of a levee, designed to protect an area from sea water. Since this term is used so differen tly by different people,

"dike" isn’t used in this manual.

Drainage Structure. Generally, any feature or system (e.g., culverts) constructed for the purpose of discharging surface water run-off. Su ch structures are components of interior drainage systems.

Eligible Levee. A levee categorized as "Active" in the RIP, for which the Army Corps of Engineers can provide assistance under authority of PL 84-99 to repair damage caused by a

flood event.

Emergency. A situation involving a natura l or technological disaster that would result in an unacceptable hazard to human life, a significan t loss of property, or significant economic hardship.

Emergency Preparedness. All those activities and measur es designed or undertaken to prepare for or minimize the effects of a hazar d upon the civilian population, to deal with the immediate emergency conditions that would be created by the hazard, and to effectuate emergency repairs to, or the emer gency restoration of, vital utilitie s and facilities destroyed or damaged by the hazard.Appendix A- Acronyms and Definitions

3 Federally Authorized Projects/Federal Projects. An FCW project built by the Army Corps of Engineers that was authorized for constr uction by Congress or by the Corps’ continuing authorities (e.g., Section 205.)

Federal FCW/Federal Levee. A Federally authorized FCW, le vee, or levee system project. FCWs constructed by non-federal interests, or other (non-Co rps) federal agencies, and incorporated into a federal sy stem by specific Congressional act ion (i.e., United States law) are also designated as federal FCWs. Constr uction by, or previous rehabilitation or

reconstruction of a non-federal FCW by a federal Agency (to include the Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA, NRCS, and EDA) does not make the levee a fede ral levee. Levees constructed under the authority of the Works Pr ogress Administration are not federal levees. Section 14 projects constructed under authority of PL 79-526 are not federal FCWs.

Flood. Abnormally high water flow or water level that overtops the natu ral or artificial confining boundaries of a waterw ay. A general and temporary condi tion of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from the overf low of river and/or ti dal waters and/or the

unusual accumulations of wa ters from any sources.

Flood Control Project. See flood control work.

Flood Control Work(s) (FCW). Structures designed and constr ucted to have appreciable and dependable effects in preventing damage caused by irregular and unusual ri ses in water level. FCW may include levees, channels, floodwa lls, dams, and Federally authorized and

constructed hurricane or shore protective structures. Structures designed and constructed to protect against salt water intr usion or tidal fluctuations, channel alignment, navigation, recreation, fish and wildlife, land reclamation, or to protect agains t land erosion are not considered to be FCWs. A riprap bank erosion co ntrol structure is not considered to be a flood

control work.

Flood Fighting. Actions taken immediately before or during a flood to protect human life and to reduce flood damages, such as evacua tion, emergency sandbagging, and providing

assistance to flood victims.

Flood Plain. Any normally dry land area th at is susceptible to bei ng inundated by any natural source, such as a stream, during floods. The Army Corps of Engineers, as a matter of policy, encourages local governments to zone their flood plains against development and thereby avoid property damage and reduce obst ruction to passage of floodwaters.

Flood Stage. The water surface elevation of a river, stream, or body of water, above which flooding and damages normally begin to occur, nor mally measured with re spect to a specific reference gage. Flood stage is normally the level at which a river overflows its banks. Flood stage for any particular geographic ar ea is unique to that geographic area.Appendix A- Acronyms and Definitions

4 Floodwall. A type of flood control work usually constr ucted of stone or re inforced concrete, and which may occasionally have plastic or steel components. Floodwalls are generally

constructed in urban areas where insufficient area exists to construct earthen levees.

Floodway. Designated land left essentially clear of development, for the purpose of passing floodwaters. In some areas, floodway is us ed to designate the 100-year flood plain.

Freeboard. A factor of safety usuall y expressed in feet above a flood level for purposes of designing flood protection facilities and fo r floodplain management. Freeboard tends to compensate for the many uncertain factors that could contribute to flood heights greater than the height calculated for a selected size flood and floodway conditions, su ch as wave action, bridge obstructions, and the hydro logical effect of ur banization of the wate rshed. Freeboard is being replaced as a technique throug h risk and uncertainty management.

Haul Road. Any privately owned road used by Corps ve hicles or Corps contractor's vehicles to haul rock, earth fill, or other borrow materials to the site of a repair/flood fight/rehabilitation effort, or on which empty vehicles return. This includes haul roads specifically constructed for a repair/rehabilitat ion effort. Also included are levee crown roads and levee patrol roads that are not public roads, if their principal purpose is for access for maintenance, inspection, and flood fight purpos es. All public roads are specifically excluded, to include any public roads that are situated on levees.

Hundred Year Flood. More accurately referred to as a "one percent chance flood," a flood of a magnitude that, according to historical statis tics, has one chance in one hundred of occurring in any given year.

Imminent Threat. A subjective, statistica lly supported evaluation of how quickly a threat scenario can develop, how likely th at threat is to develop in a given geographical location, and how likely the threat will pr oduce catastrophic consequences to life and improved property. Implicit in the timing aspect can be consideratio ns of time (e.g., a storm front's predicted path) or season (e.g., a snowpack that will melt in the coming spring runoff) or of known cyclical activities (e.g., rising wa ter levels in the Great Lakes), but occurring inside the normal Corps decision and execution cycle for small project construction.

Inactive. A status applied to FCW concerning particip ation in the RIP. An Inactive project is, simply, any project that is not Active. It includes formerly Active FCW that left Active status in the RIP, either voluntarily or involuntarily , as well as those FCW that have never been

Active in the RIP. See also "Active."

Initial Repair. A hastily effected temporary repair of a breached levee that provides a 10- to 25-year level of protection for a short (less than 12 month) period of time until the permanent repair can be designed and executed.

Interior Drainage. Natural or modified outflow of streams within a levee'd area for the conveyance of run-off. Interior drainage syst ems are not components of flood control works.Appendix A- Acronyms and Definitions

5 LERRDs. Lands, easements, rights-of-way, relocations , and borrow and dredged or excavated materials disposal areas.

Levee. A structure, normally of earth or stone, built generally parallel to a river to protect land from flooding. A levee is a complete unit, de signed and intended for flood control. A levee (excluding a ring levee) is always tied to high ground at both ends.

Level of Protection. The degree of protection against fl ooding provided by an FCW, normally expressed in terms of the cy clical flood-level against which protection is provided.

Local Cost Share. That portion of the cost of undertaki ng assistance author ized under PL 84- 99 (e.g., repairing a damaged Activ e levee) for which the public sponsor is res ponsible. The local cost share may be paid either in cash or as work-in-kind, or as a combination of the two.

Major Flood. A flood event determined to be a 100-year ev ent or better, or a series of weather events over a short period of time (normally seven days or le ss), which causes loss of human life and/or property damage exceeding $1 million.

Non-Federal Levee/Non-Fed eral Project/Non-Federal FCW. A flood control work not authorized by Congress, or under other fe deral agency authority. Works Progress Administration (WPA) pr ojects are considered non-federal FCW for the application of PL 84-99 authority.

Nonstructural Alternative Project. A type of project, authorized by an amendment to PL 84- 99 contained in WRDA 96, that, in lieu of a st ructural rehabilitation effort, allows for restoration of floodways, flood plains, and/or the reduction of future flood damages and

associated FCW rehabilitation costs.

Political Subdivision. A city, town, borough, township, county, parish, district, association, or other public body created by or pursuant to stat e law and having jurisdiction over the water supply of such public body.

Project Cooperation Agreement. An agreement entered into by a District Commander (acting as the agent for the Department of the Army on behalf of the United States Government) and the public s ponsor for the purpose of iden tifying each party's rights and obligations concerning the expenditure of fede ral funds under the Army Corps of Engineers’ authority other than that of PL 84- 99. See also Cooperation Agreement.Appendix A- Acronyms and Definitions

6 Public Sponsor. A public sponsor is a legally constitute d public body with full authority and capability to perform the terms of its agreement as the non-federal partner of the Corps for a project, and able to pay damages, if necessary, in the event of its failure to perform. A public sponsor may be a state, county, city, town, Fe derally recognized Indi an tribe or tribal organization, Alaska Native Cor poration, or any political subpart of a state or group of states that has the legal and financial authority and capability to provide the necessary cash contributions and lands, easements, rights-of-w ay, relocations, and borrow or dredged or excavated material disposal areas ( LERRD’s) necessary for the project.

Rehabilitation and Inspection Program (RIP). A component of the Civil Emergency Management Program concerned with the inspection and rehabilitation of FCWs.

Rehabilitation Assistance. Repair and restoration under aut hority of PL 84-99 of an Active FCW damaged in a flood event.

Rehabilitation Project. An action or series of actions focuse d of the repair of an Active flood

control work to return the FCW’s level of protection to its pre- flood/pre-storm level.

Repair and Rehabilitation. The terms “repair”, “rehabilitation” , or “repair and rehabilitation” mean the repair or rebuilding of a flood control structure, after the structure has been damaged by a flood, hurricane, or coastal storm, to the level of protection provided by the structure prior to the flood, hurricane, or coastal st orm. The terms do not include improvements (betterments) to the structure, nor does “rep air and rehabilitation” include any repair, reconstruction, or rehabilitati on activities of a flood control structure which, in the normal course of usage, has become structurally uns ound and is no longer fit to provide the level of protection for which it was designed.

Saturation. (1) Soil Saturation. A condition in soil in which all spaces between the soil particles are filled with water. Such conditions normally occur after prolonged periods of rainfall and/or

snowmelt. The result of a saturated condition is that any additional rainfall or snowmelt runs off into streams and rivers instead of soaking into the ground. (2) Levee saturation. Soil saturation that has occurred in an earthen levee because of floodwaters remaining above flood stage for extrem ely long periods of time. This condition can lead to catastrophic failure of the levee.

Secondary Levee. A levee that is landward of the main or principal levee. The level of protection of a secondary levee is always less th an the level of protection provided by the main

levee.

Stream. A body of water flowing in a definite natural or manm ade course that has the potential to flood. The term stream refers to ri vers, streams, creeks, brooks, etc., and includes intermittent streams that are subject to flooding.Appendix A- Acronyms and Definitions

7 Unusual Flooding. For use with Advance Meas ures, a subjective determ ination that considers potential ability to approach an area’s Flood of record, a catastrophic level of flooding, or a greater than 50-year level of flooding.

Urban areas. Cities, towns, or other incorporated or unincorporated political subdivisions of States that provide general local government for specific population concentrations, and occupy an essentially continuous area of devel oped land containing such structures as residences, public and commercial buildings, and industrial sites.

Urban Levee. A levee providing greater than a 10-year level of flood protection to a predominantly urban area.

Work-in-Kind. That portion of a public sponsor's cost share to rehabilitate a non-federal

FCW that is a non-cash contribution. The work -in-kind may be in the form of labor, equipment, supplies, and/or services. Labor is defined as blue collar- type of work normally paid on an hourly wage basis, compar able to federal Wage Grade positions.Appendix A- Acronyms and Definitions

8 This page intentionally left blank.Appendix B- Flowchart of RIP Eligibility a nd Inspection Processes for Non-Federal FCW

1 

## APPENDIX B: Flowchart of RIP Eligibility and Inspection

Processes for Non-Federal FCW

The Sponsor will

be told what

deficiencies need

to be corrected in

order to become

active in the RIP. The Sponsor is required to correct noted deficiencies

within an established timeframe, during which the FCW is Active in the RIP and eligible for Rehabilitation Assistance. However, the repair of noted deficiencies would be ineligible for assistance

and the Corps would evaluate the eligibility of any

damages caused by the differed maintenance. Non-Federally constructed Flood Control Works (FCWs) are never initially part of the Corp's Repair and Inspection Program (RIP), so they aren't initially eligible for Rehabilitation Assistance. To enter the

RIP, the Public Sponsor's first step is to request the Corps to conduct an Initial Eligibility Inspection.

The FCW is rated

"Unacceptable." During the interim period between the time that the sponsor requests an IEI and the time that the Corps conducts the IEI, the FCW may still be eligib le for Rehabilitation Assistance if it gets damaged by a flood. In this rare case, the Corps may conduct an IEI after the flooding to evaluate whether the project would have passed the inspection at the time the IEI was requested.

The FCW is rated

"Acceptable."

Deficiencies not

corrected within given timeframe. The FCW is placed in

Inactive status and is ineligible for Rehabilitation

Assistance.

The FCW is rated

"Acceptable." The FCW is rated "Minimally Acceptable." Deficiencies are corrected to the Corp's

specifications and documentation is provided within the designated timeframe. The FCW immediately gains

an Active status in

the RIP and is

eligible for

Rehabilitation

Assistance. The FCW is rated "Minimally Acceptable." The USACE district conducts an Initial Eligibilit y Inspection (IEI), and provides the Sponsor with an inspection report which outlines the project rating and any noted deficiencies.

Continuing Eligibility Inspections (CEIs) are conducted biannually unless the Corps District specifies more frequent inspections. Corps provides inspection reports outlining rating and noted deficiencies.

The Sponsor is required to correct noted deficiencies within an established timeframe. During this timeframe, the FCW is still

Active in the RIP and eligible for Rehabilitation Assistance, though the repair of noted deficiencies would be ineligible for assistance and the Corps would evaluate the eligibility of any damages caused by the differed maintenance.

If the deficiencies are corrected and supporting documentation is sent to the Corps, the Corps will review the situation as necessary. If the project condition

is found to be Acceptable, the FCW immediately regains it's Active status. The FCW is rated

"Unacceptable."

The FCW remains

Active in the RIP and is eligible for

Rehabilitation

Assistance. Deficiencies are

not corrected within given

timeframe. The FCW is immediately put in an

Inactive status in the RIP. It is ineligible for

Rehabilitation

Assistance and will no longer be inspected by the Corps until

deficiencies are

corrected. Deficiencies are corrected to the Corp's specifications and

documentation is provided within designated timeframe.Appendix B- Flowchart of RIP Eligibility a nd Inspection Processes for Non-Federal FCW

2 This page intentionally left blank.Appendix C: FCW Inspection Guide

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## APPENDIX C: FCW INSPECTION GUIDEType of Inspection (Check One):InitialOverall Project Rating (Check One):AcceptableContinuingMinimally Acceptable (Maintenance is required)UnacceptableINSPECTOR'S OBSERVATIONS:Contents of this Inspection Report:Basic Eligibility (IEI specific)FCW Engineering (IEI specific)General Items for All Flood Control WorksLeveesConcrete FloodwallsInterior Drainage SystemPump StationsEarthen Flood Control ChannelsConcrete Lined ChannelsInstructionsNote: A plan view drawing of the Flood ControlWorks, with stationing, should be attached to this reportto reference locations of items rated less thanacceptable. Photos should be taken of general projectcondition and any noted deficiencies.U.S. Army Corps of EngineersName of Project: _______________________________________________________________________________Date Inspected: ________________________________________________________________________________Public Sponsor: ________________________________________________________________________________Sponsor Phone/ Email: ___________________________________________________________________________Corps of Engineers Inspector: _____________________________________________________________________Public Sponsor Representative: ____________________________________________________________________Inspection Guide for Flood Control WorksXXAppendix C: FCW Inspection Guide

2Page 1 of 1A M U N/ALOCATIONS/ REMARKS / RECOMMENDATIONS1. Public Sponsor(A or U only)AThe Public Sponsor is a legally constituted public body with full authority andcapability to perform the terms of its agreement as the non-Federal partner of theCorps for a project, able to pay damages, if necessary, in the event of its failure toperform. The public sponsor may be a State, County, City, Town, Federallyrecognized Indian Tribe or tribal organization, Alaska Native Corporation, or anypolitical subpart of a State or group of states that has the legal and financial authorityand capability to provide the necessary cash contributions and the lands, easements,rights-of-way, relocations, and borrow and dredged or excavated materials disposalareas (LERRD's) necessary for the project, and who could legally hold and save theFederal government free from damages that could potentially arise during post-floodrehabilitations or other work on the FCW.UThe project does not have a public sponsor as defined above.2.AThe principal function of the project is to protect people or property from floods.UThe project was built or is primarily used for channel alignment, recreation, fish andwildlife, land reclamation, drainage, to protect against land erosion or tidal inflows,or for some other non-flood related purpose.3.AProject construction has been completed.UThe project is still under construction.4. Construction Compliance(A or U only)AAppropriate local, State, tribal, and/or Federal permits (right-of-way, easements,regulatory permits, etc.), or waivers thereof, have been obtained for FCWconstruction and subsequent modifications. The project was constructed inaccordance with all applicable Federal, state and local codes, ordinances, andapplicable laws.UThe appropriate permits (or waivers thereof) have not been obtained for the project,or the project was not constructed in accordance with applicable codes, ordinances,and laws.Key:A= Acceptable.M= Minimally Acceptable; Maintenance is required.U= Unacceptable.N/A= Not Applicable.RODI= Requires Operation During InspectionFor use only during Initial Eligibility Inspections of Non-Federally Constructed Flood Control WorksEVALUATIONBasic EligibilityRATED ITEMFlood Protection(A or U only)Project Completion(A or U only)Appendix C: FCW Inspection Guide

3Page 1 of 2A M U N/ALOCATIONS/ REMARKS / RECOMMENDATIONS1. Minimum Elevation(A or U only)(See instructions)A• Urban Levees and Floodwalls-Minimum elevation corresponding to a flood levelwith 10% probability of occurring in a given year (10-year flood).• Agricultural Levees and Floodwalls-Minimum elevation corresponding to a floodlevel with 20% probability of occurring in a given year (5-year flood).• Flood Control Channels-Minimum capacity is for a flood with a 10% probabilityof occurring in a given year (10-year flood). Improved channels must additionallyprovide drainage for at least 1.5 square miles of land and have a capacity of at least800 cfs. (NOTE: Interior drainage channels within the protected area of a leveesystem are not flood control channels.)UThe FCW does not meet requirements for minimum elevation, capacity, or drainagearea.2.AThe physical location, cross section, and other design elements of the FCW aresufficient to provide reliable flood protection. The FCW is (or is an element of) aclosed system, tied into high ground.UThe FCW was not constructed in an appropriate location, does not have anappropriate cross section; is not properly tied into high ground, or has othershortcomings with design elements necessary for providing reliable flood protection.3. Embankment FillAEmbankment material is suitable to prevent slides and seepage problems.UEmbankment material is unsuitable and is likely to contribute to the development ofslides or seepage problems.4.AFill material is uniform and adequately compacted throughout the entire FCW.MFill material is uniform and adequately compacted in 75% or more of the FCW.UFill material is not uniform, or there is no compaction and evidence indicates a needfor compaction.5. FoundationsAFoundation material will not cause piping, sand boils, seepage, or settlements thatwill reduce the level of protection.MFoundation material may show signs of excessive seepage, minor sand boils, andlocalized settlement.UFoundation materials are unsuitable and likely to cause excessive uncontrolledseepage, sand boils, and / or piping.N/AThe foundation problems described above do not apply to this type of FCW.6. Primary LeveeAIn the case of a levee project, the levee is a primary levee or is a secondary leveewhich is designed to protect human life or was designed as a major component of theprimary levee system, necessary to assure the flood control protection of the totalsystem.UThe levee is a secondary levee, and was not designed to protect human life or as amajor component of the primary levee system.N/AThe FCW is not a levee system.Key:A= Acceptable.M= Minimally Acceptable; Maintenance is required.U= Unacceptable.N/A= Not Applicable.RODI= Requires Operation During InspectionFCW Engineering - Continued on Next PageFor use only during Initial Eligibility Inspections of Non-Federally Constructed Flood Control WorksRATED ITEMEVALUATIONEmbankment MaterialUniformity/CompactnessPhysical Location andCross Section(A or U only)FCW EngineeringAppendix C: FCW Inspection Guide

4Page 2 of 2A M U N/ALOCATIONS/ REMARKS / RECOMMENDATIONS7.AGiven the level of protection provided by the FCW, interior drainage structures areappropriately sized, situated, and constructed to move anticipated runoff and seepageout of the protected area. Pump stations will not become inundated during regularoperation and their power system is adequately designed and reliable.UInterior drainage structures are undersized, poorly constructed, poorly situated, orunreliably designed.N/AThe issue of interior drainage does not apply to this type of FCW.8. StructuresAStructures are capable of performing their designed functions and show no signs offailure.MStructures are performing their design functions but show signs of overtopping andbypassing flows.UStructures are not performing their designed functions or show signs of potentialstructural failure.9. Erosion ControlAErosion protection is capable of handling the designed flow velocity for the level ofprotection for the entire FCW. The FCW is protected against bank caving and slidesin all necessary areas, and has adequate drainage to protect FCW slopes from runofferosion.MErosion protection is capable of handling the designed flow velocity for the level ofprotection for 75% or more of the FCW.UErosion protection measures protect less that75% of the FCW. Erosion protection isnot present and there is evidence indicating a need for erosion protection.Key:A= Acceptable.M= Minimally Acceptable; Maintenance is required.U= Unacceptable.N/A= Not Applicable.RODI= Requires Operation During InspectionFor use only during Initial Eligibility Inspections of Non-Federally Constructed Flood Control WorksInterior Drainage System(including culverts,gates, pump stations)EVALUATIONRATED ITEMFCW Engineering (continued)Appendix C: FCW Inspection Guide

5Page 1 of 1A M U N/ALOCATIONS/ REMARKS / RECOMMENDATIONS1.ALevee Owner's Manual, ICW O&M Manuals, and/or manufacturer's operatinginstructions are present.UThese manuals are lost or missing.2. Emergency Supplies andEquipmentAThe sponsor maintains astockpile of sandbags, shovels, and other flood fight supplieswhich will adequately supply all needs for the initial days of a flood fight.MThe sponsor does not maintain an adequate supply of flood fighting materials as partof their preparedness activities.3. Flood Preparedness andTraining(A or M only)ASponsor has a solid understanding of how to operate, maintain, and staff the FCWduring a flood, and has written plans that include information such as low spots orsand boils. The sponsor alsohas plans that cover short term situations. (For instance,if a culvert through the levee is being replaced, then the sponsor knows how torespond to a flood while the levee integrity is lacking due to the construction.)MThe sponsor maintains a good working knowledge of flood response activities, butthere are insufficient plans to address project specific features or short termsituations, or the knowledge of flood response activities is maintained by a very smallnumber of individuals within the community. Additional planning or training isrequired to ensure the success of the FCW during a flood event.Key:A= Acceptable.M= Minimally Acceptable; Maintenance is required.U= Unacceptable.N/A= Not Applicable.RODI= Requires Operation During InspectionGeneral Items for All Flood Control WorksFor use during Initial and Continuing Eligibility Inspections of all Flood Control WorksProject Operations andMaintenance Manual(A or U only)EVALUATIONRATED ITEMAppendix C: FCW Inspection Guide

6Page 1 of 3A M U N/ALOCATIONS/ REMARKS / RECOMMENDATIONS1. Sod CoverAThere is good coverage of sod cover over the levee.MApproximately 25% of the sod cover is missing or damaged over a significant portionor over significant portions of the levee embankment. This may be the result of overgrazing or feeding on the levee, unauthorized vehicular traffic, chemical or insectproblems, or burning during inappropriate seasons.UOver 50% of the sod cover is missing or damaged over a significant portion or oversignificant portions of the levee embankment. This may be the result of over-grazingor feeding on the levee, unauthorized vehicular traffic, chemical or insect problems,or burning during inappropriate seasons.2. Unwanted VegetationGrowthAThe levee has a good grass cover with little or no unwanted vegetation (trees, bushes,or undesirable weeds) and has been recently mowed. Except in those cases where avegetation variance has been granted by the Corps, a 5 meter (15') zone, free from allwoody vegetation, is maintained adjacent to the landward/ riverside toe of the FCWfor maintenance and flood-fighting activities. Additionally, a 1 meter (3') root freezone is maintained to protect the external limits of the levee cross section. ReferenceEM 1110-2-301 and/or local Corps policy.MMinimal number of trees (5 cm (2") diameter or smaller) and/or brush present on thelevee or within the 5 meter (15') zone, that will not threaten the integrity of theproject but which need to be removed.UTree, weed, and brush cover exists in the FCW requiring removal to reestablish orascertain FCW integrity. (NOTE: If significant growth on levees exists, prohibitingthe inspection of animal burrows or other inspection items, then the levee inspectionshould be ended until this item is corrected.)3. Depressions/ RuttingAThere are no ruts, pot holes, or other depressions on the levee, except for minordepressions caused by levee settlement. The levee crown, embankments, and accessroad crowns are well established and drain properly without any ponded water.MSome minor depressions in the levee crown, embankment, or access roads that willnot pond water and do not threaten the integrity of the levee.UThere are depressions greater than 15 cm (6 inches) deep that will pond water,endangering the integrity of the levee.4.ANo active erosion or bank caving observed on the landward or on the riverward sideof the levee.MThere are areas where active erosion is occurring or has occurred on or near the leveeembankment, but levee integrity is not threatened.UErosion or caving is occurring or has occurred that threatens the stability and integrityof the levee. The erosion or caving has progressed into the levee section or into theextended footprint of the levee foundation and has compromised the levee foundationstability.Key:A= Acceptable.M= Minimally Acceptable; Maintenance is required.U= Unacceptable.N/A= Not Applicable.RODI= Requires Operation During InspectionLevees - Continued on Next PageErosion/ Bank CavingFor use during all Initial and Continuing Eligibility Inspections of leveesLeveesRATED ITEMEVALUATIONAppendix C: FCW Inspection Guide

7Page 2 of 3A M U N/ALOCATIONS/ REMARKS / RECOMMENDATIONS5.ANo slides present.MMinor superficial sliding that with deferred repairs will not pose an immediate threatto FCW integrity.UEvidence of deep seated sliding that threatens FCW integrity. Repairs are required toreestablish FCW integrity.6. CrackingANo cracking observed on the levee greater than 15 cm (6 inches) deep.MLongitudinal and/or transverse cracking greater than 15 cm (6 inches) deep. Noevidence of vertical movement along the crack.ULongitudinal and/or transverse cracking present and exhibits signs of verticalmovement.7. Animal ControlAContinuous animal burrow control program in place that includes the elimination ofactive burrowing and the filling in of existing burrows.MThe existing animal burrow control program needs to be improved. Several animalburrows present which may lead to seepage or slope stability problems, and theyrequire immediate attention.UAnimal burrow control program is not effective or is nonexistent. Significantmaintenance is required to fill existing burrows, and the levee will not providereliable flood protection until this maintenance is complete.8. EncroachmentsANo trash, debris, excavations, structures, or other obstructions present within theproject easement area. Encroachments which do not diminish proper functioning ofthe project have been previously approved by the Corps.MTrash, debris, excavations, structures, or other obstructions present, or inappropriateactivities that will not inhibit project operations and maintenance or emergencyoperations. Encroachments have not been approved by the Corps.UTrash, debris, excavation, structures, or other obstructions present, or inappropriateactivities that will inhibit project operations and maintenance or emergencyoperations.9. Riprap Revetments &BanksAExisting riprap protection is properly maintained and is undamaged. Riprap clearlyvisible.MNo riprap displacement or scouring activity that could undercut banks, erodeembankments, or restrict desired flow. Unwanted vegetation must be cleared andsprayed with an appropriate herbicide.UDense brush, trees, or grasses hide the rock protection, or meandering and/or scouractivity is undercutting banks, eroding embankments, or impairing channel flows bycausing turbulence or shoaling.N/AThere is no riprap protecting the levee.Key:A= Acceptable.M= Minimally Acceptable; Maintenance is required.U= Unacceptable.N/A= Not Applicable.RODI= Requires Operation During InspectionLevees - Continued on Next PageSlope StabilityFor use during all Initial and Continuing Eligibility Inspections of leveesLevees (continued)RATED ITEMEVALUATIONAppendix C: FCW Inspection Guide

8Page 3 of 3A M U N/ALOCATIONS/ REMARKS / RECOMMENDATIONS10.AClosure structure in good repair. Placing equipment, stoplogs, and other materials arereadily available at all times. Components of closure clearly marked and installationinstructions / procedures readily available.UClosure structure in poor condition. Parts missing or corroded. Placing equipmentmay not be available within normal warning time.N/AThere are no closure structures along the levee.11. Underseepage ReliefWells/ Toe DrainageSystemsAToe drainage systems and pressure relief wells necessary for maintaining FCWstability during flood events functioned properly during the last flood event and nosediment is observed in horizontal system (if applicable). Nothing is observed whichwould indicate that the system won't function properly during the next flood.MToe drainage systems or pressure relief wells are damaged and may become cloggedif they are not repaired.UToe drainage systems or pressure relief wells necessary for maintaining FCWstability during flood events have fallen into disrepair or have become clogged.N/AThere are no relief wells/ toe drainage systems along the levee.Key:A= Acceptable.M= Minimally Acceptable; Maintenance is required.U= Unacceptable.N/A= Not Applicable.RODI= Requires Operation During InspectionAdditional issues noted during the inspection:Closure Structures (StopLog, Earthen Closures,or Gates)(A or U only)EVALUATIONLevees (continued)For use during all Initial and Continuing Eligibility Inspections of leveesRATED ITEMAppendix C: FCW Inspection Guide

9Page 1 of 2A M U N/ALOCATIONS/ REMARKS / RECOMMENDATIONS1. Concrete SurfacesANegligible spalling, scaling or cracking. If the concrete surface is weathered, roughto the touch, or holds moisture, it is still satisfactory but should be seal coated toprevent freeze/ thaw damage.MSpalling, scaling, and open cracking present, but the immediate integrity orperformance of the structure is not threatened. Reinforcing steel may be exposed.Repairs/ sealing is necessary to prevent additional damage during periods of thawingand freezing.USurface deterioration or deep, controlled cracks present that result in an unreliablestructure.2.AThere are no significant areas of tilting, sliding, or settlement that would endanger theintegrity of the project.MThere are areas of tilting, sliding, or settlement (either active or inactive) that need tobe repaired. The integrity of the structure is not in danger.UThere are areas of tilting, sliding, or settlement (either active or inactive) that threatenthe structure's integrity and performance.3.ANo scouring / erosion, or undermining near the structure.MScouring / erosion near the footing of the structure but not close enough to affectstructure stability during the next flood.UScouring or undermining at the foundation that has affected structural integrity.4. Monolith JointsAThe monolith joint material is in good condition.MThe monolith joint material is deteriorating and needs to be repaired or replaced toprevent spalling and cracking during freeze/ thaw cycles.UThe monolith joint material is severely deteriorated and the concrete has spalled andcracked, damaging the waterstop to the point where it will not provide the intendedlevel of protection during a flood.N/AThere are no monolith joints in the floodwall.5.ANo active erosion or bank caving on the riverward side of the floodwall which mightendanger its stability.MThere are areas where the ground is eroding towards the base of the floodwall andefforts need to be taken to slow and repair this erosion, but the erosion has not yetprogressed to the point that the floodwall will loose stability during a flood event.UErosion or bank caving is occurring or has occurred riverward of the levee whichthreatens the stability of the floodwall.Key:A= Acceptable.M= Minimally Acceptable; Maintenance is required.U= Unacceptable.N/A= Not Applicable.RODI= Requires Operation During InspectionConcrete Floodwalls- Continued on the next pageErosion/ Bank CavingFor use during all Initial and Continuing Eligibility Inspections of concrete floodwallsConcrete FloodwallsRATED ITEMFoundation of Concreteand Sheet Pile StructuresTilting, Sliding orSettlement of Concreteand Sheet Pile StructuresEVALUATIONAppendix C: FCW Inspection Guide

10Page 2 of 2A M U N/ALOCATIONS/ REMARKS / RECOMMENDATIONS6. Unwanted VegetationGrowthAA grass-only zone is maintained on both sides the floodwall. All trees, brush, andunwanted vegetation have been removed from this zone for maintenance, floodfighting activities, and to protect the floodwall. The grass-only zone extends from theconcrete wall to a point 2.5 meters (8') beyond the underground toe and heel of thefloodwall. Reference EM 1110-2-30 and/or local Corps policy.MThere are some areas where unwanted vegetation is growing near the floodwall. Thisvegetation must be removed, but does not currently threaten the integrity of theproject.UThere is a significant amount of tree, weed, or brush growth near the floodwall,which may limit access during flood fight operations or the roots of which may offeraccelerated seepage paths under the structure.7. EncroachmentsANo trash, debris, excavations, structures,or other obstructions present within theproject easement area. Encroachments which do not diminish proper functioning ofthe project have been previously approved by the Corps.MTrash, debris, excavations, structures, or other obstructions present, or inappropriateactivities that will not inhibit project operations and maintenance or emergencyoperations. Encroachments have not been approved by the Corps.UTrash, debris, excavation, structures, or other obstructions present, or inappropriateactivities that will inhibit project operations and maintenance or emergencyoperations.8.AClosure structure in good repair. Placing equipment, stoplogs, and other materials arereadily available at all times. Components of closure clearly marked and installationinstructions / procedures readily available.UClosure structure in poor condition. Parts missing or corroded. Placing equipmentmay not be available within normal warning time.N/AThere are no closure structures along the floodwall.9. Underseepage ReliefWells/ Toe DrainageSystemsAToe drainage systems and pressure relief wells necessary for maintaining FCWstability during flood events functioned properly during the last flood event and nosediment is observed in horizontal system (if applicable). Nothing is observed whichwould indicate that the system won't function properly during the next flood.MToe drainage systems or pressure relief wells are damaged and may become cloggedif they are not repaired.UToe drainage systems or pressure relief wells necessary for maintaining FCWstability during flood events have fallen into disrepair or have become clogged.N/AThere are no relief wells/ toe drainage systems along the floodwall.Key:A= Acceptable.M= Minimally Acceptable; Maintenance is required.U= Unacceptable.N/A= Not Applicable.RODI= Requires Operation During InspectionAdditional issues noted during the inspection:Closure Structures (StopLog Closures and Gates)(A or U only)Concrete Floodwalls (continued)For use during all Initial and Continuing Eligibility Inspections of concrete floodwallsRATED ITEMEVALUATIONAppendix C: FCW Inspection Guide

11Page 1 of 4A M U N/ALOCATIONS/ REMARKS / RECOMMENDATIONS1.AMinimal, scattered obstructions or vegetation. The flow is not impeded.MLog jams, snags, vegetation growth (such as cat tails, bull rushes, bushes, orsaplings), or other obstructions block approximately 25% of the FCW.ULog jams, snags, vegetation growth (such as cat tails, bull rushes, bushes, orsaplings), or other obstructions block approximately 50% of the FCW.2. EncroachmentsANo trash, debris, excavations, structures,or other obstructions present within theproject easement area. Encroachments which do not diminish proper functioning ofthe project have been previously approved by the Corps.MTrash, debris, excavations, structures, or other obstructions present, or inappropriateactivities that will not inhibit project operations and maintenance or emergencyoperations. Encroachments have not been approved by the Corps.UTrash, debris, excavation, structures, or other obstructions present, or inappropriateactivities that will inhibit project operations and maintenance or emergencyoperations.3. Riprap Revetments ofInlet/ Discharge AreasAExisting riprap protection is properly maintained and is undamaged. Riprap clearlyvisible.MNo riprap displacement or scouring activity that could undercut banks, erodeembankments, or restrict desired flow. Unwanted vegetation must be cleared andsprayed with an appropriate herbicide.UDense brush, trees, or grasses hide the rock protection, or meandering and/or scouractivity is undercutting banks, eroding embankments, or impairing channel flows bycausing turbulence or shoaling.N/AThere is no riprap protecting the interior drainage system, or the riprap is discussedin another section.4.ANo active erosion or bank caving observed on the landward or on the riverward sideof the levee.MThere are areas where active erosion is occurring or has occurred on or near the leveeembankment, but levee integrity is not threatened.UErosion or caving is occurring or has occurred that threatens the stability and integrityof the levee. The erosion or caving has progressed into the levee section or into theextended footprint of the levee foundation and has compromised the levee foundationstability.N/AThere are no inlet/discharge areas.Key:A= Acceptable.M= Minimally Acceptable; Maintenance is required.U= Unacceptable.N/A= Not Applicable.RODI= Requires Operation During InspectionInterior Drainage - Continued on Next PageEVALUATIONVegetation andObstructionsInterior Drainage SystemFor use during all Initial and Continuing Eligibility Inspections of systems carrying interior drainage through the FCWErosion of Inlet/Discharge AreasRATED ITEMAppendix C: FCW Inspection Guide

12Page 2 of 4A M U N/ALOCATIONS/ REMARKS / RECOMMENDATIONS5.AThere is little or no debris, sediment, or vegetation blocking the culverts, inlets, sump,or discharge areas. The channel capacity for designed flow is not affected.MDebris, sediment, or vegetation blocks less than 10 percent of the culvert opening, butmust be removed.UAccumulated debris, sediment, or vegetation blocks more than 10 percent of theculvert opening, impairing the culvert's capacity and hydraulic effectiveness.N/AThere are no culverts.6. CulvertsAThere are no breaks, holes, cracks in the culvert that would result in significant waterleakage. Corrugated metal pipes, if present, are in good condition or have beenrelined with appropriate material, which is still in good condition.MThere are breaks, holes, cracks in the culvert that would result in water leakage andneed to be repaired, but do not threaten the integrity of the project. Corrugated metalpipes, if present, are showing deterioration but the entire length of pipe is stillstructurally sound and is not in danger of collapsing.UCulvert has deterioration and/or has significant leakage such that it threatens theintegrity of the FCW. Corrugated metal pipes are in danger of collapsing or havealready begun to collapse.N/AThere are no culverts.8. Trash RacksATrash racks are fastened in place and properly maintained.(non-mechanical)MTrash racks are in place but are unfastened or have bent bars that allow debris to enterinto the pipe or pump station. Repair or replacement is required.UTrash rack is missing or damaged to the extent that it is no longer functional and mustbe replaced.N/AThere are no trash racks.9.AFlap gates open and close easily with minimal leakage.Gates show no corrosion damage and have been maintained.MGate will not fully open or close because of obstructions that can be easily removed,or has corrosion damage that requires maintenance.UGate is missing, has been damaged, or has deteriorated and needs repair.N/AThere are no flap gates.Key:A= Acceptable.M= Minimally Acceptable; Maintenance is required.U= Unacceptable.N/A= Not Applicable.RODI= Requires Operation During InspectionInterior Drainage - Continued on Next PageInterior Drainage System (continued)RATED ITEMBlockage of Culverts(Inlets, Sump, andDischarge Areas)EVALUATIONFor use during all Initial and Continuing Eligibility Inspections of systems carrying interior drainage through the FCWFlap Gates/Flap Valves/Pinch ValvesRODIAppendix C: FCW Inspection Guide

13Page 3 of 4A M U N/ALOCATIONS/ REMARKS / RECOMMENDATIONS10. Sluice / Slide GatesRODIAGates open and close freely with minor leakage. Sill is free of sediment and otherobstructions. Gates and lifters have been maintained.MGates have been damaged or have deteriorated, and open and close with resistance orbinding. Leakage quantity is controllable and is not a threat to project performance.Maintenance is required.UGates do not open or close. Gate, stem, lifter and/or guides may be damaged orcorroded.N/AThere are no sluice/ slide gates.11. Electric Gate Operatorsfor Sluice / Slide GatesRODIAAll electric gate operators are in good working condition and are adequately powered,and are capable of opening and closing the gate properly. Preventative maintenanceis being performed and the system is tested periodically.MAll electric gate operators are operational with minor deficiencies, but shouldperform through the next period of usage.UThe electric gate operators are not operational, or the power source is not consideredreliable to sustain operations during flood conditions.N/AThere are no electric gate operators.12. Manual Operators(Backups) for Sluice /Slide GatesAAll manual gate operators are in good working condition and are capable of openingand closing the gate properly. Preventative maintenance is being performed and thesystem is tested periodically.RODIMManual gate operators are operational with minor deficiencies, but should performthrough the next period of usage.UManual gate operators are not operational.N/AIf there are sluice or slide gates, there needs to be means of operating them manually.If there are no sluice/slide gates, this item is N/A.13.ANegligible spalling, scaling or cracking. If the concrete surface is weathered, roughto the touch, or holds moisture, it is still satisfactory but should be seal coated toprevent freeze/ thaw damage.MSpalling, scaling, and open cracking present, but the immediate integrity orperformance of the structure is not threatened. Reinforcing steel may be exposed.Repairs/ sealing is necessary to prevent additional damage during periods of thawingand freezing.USurface deterioration or deep, controlled cracks present that result in an unreliablestructure.N/AThere are no concrete surfaces.Key:A= Acceptable.M= Minimally Acceptable; Maintenance is required.U= Unacceptable.N/A= Not Applicable.RODI= Requires Operation During InspectionInterior Drainage - Continued on Next PageConcrete Surfaces (Suchas gate wells, outfalls,intakes, or culverts)Interior Drainage System (continued)EVALUATIONFor use during all Initial and Continuing Eligibility Inspections of systems carrying interior drainage through the FCWRATED ITEMAppendix C: FCW Inspection Guide

14Page 4 of 4A M U N/ALOCATIONS/ REMARKS / RECOMMENDATIONS14.AThere are no significant areas of tilting, sliding, or settlement that would endanger theintegrity of the project.MThere are areas of tilting, sliding, or settlement (either active or inactive) that need tobe repaired. The integrity of the structure is not in danger.UThere are areas of tilting, sliding, or settlement (either active or inactive) that threatenthe structure's integrity and performance.N/AThere are no concrete structures.15.ANo scouring / erosion, or undermining near the structure.MScouring / erosion near the footing of the structure but not close enough to affectstructure stability during the next flood.UScouring or undermining at the foundation that has affected structural integrity.N/AThere are no concrete structures.16. Safety FencingRODIASafety/ security fencing is in good condition and provides protection against falling orunauthorized access. Gates open and close freely, locks are in place, and there is littlecorrosion on metal parts.MSafety/ security fencing or gates are damaged or corroded but appear to bemaintainable. Locks may be missing or damaged.USafety/ security fencing and gates are damaged or corroded to the point thatreplacement is required, or potentially dangerous project features are not secured.N/AThere are no features of the internal drainage system that require safety fencing.17. Other Metallic ItemsAAll metal parts are protected from corrosion damage, and show no rust, damage, ordeterioration that would cause a safety concern.MCorrosion seen on metallic parts appear to be maintainable.UMetallic parts are severely corroded and require replacement to prevent failure,equipment damage, or safety issues.N/AThere are no other significant metallic items associated with the interior drainagesystem.Key:A= Acceptable.M= Minimally Acceptable; Maintenance is required.U= Unacceptable.N/A= Not Applicable.RODI= Requires Operation During InspectionAdditional issues noted during the inspection:Interior Drainage System (continued)For use during all Initial and Continuing Eligibility Inspections of systems carrying interior drainage through the FCWEVALUATIONRATED ITEMTilting, Sliding orSettlement of Concreteand Sheet Pile Structures(Such as gate wells,outfalls, intakes, orculverts)Foundation of ConcreteStructures (Such as gatewells, outfalls, orculverts)Appendix C: FCW Inspection Guide

15Page 1 of 4A M U N/ALOCATIONS/ REMARKS / RECOMMENDATIONS1. Pump Stations OperatingLog(A or U only)AOperation and maintenance log is present at the pump station and is being used andupdated, and personnel have been trained in pump station operations. Names and lasttraining date shown in the log book.UNo operating log present, or refresher training for personnel has not been conducted.2.AOperation and Maintenance Manual and/or posted operating instructions are presentand adequately cover all pertinent pump station features.UOperation and Maintenance Manual missing or sponsor is unsure of location.3. Plant BuildingAThe building is in good structural condition, with no major cracks in concrete orbrick. The roof is not leaking, exhaustfans are operational, there are no exposedelectrical components, and the working environment is safe.MThere is significant cracking in the building structure, or the building is damaged inother ways such that it needs repair but does not threaten pumping operations.UThe structural integrity or stability of the building is threatened, or there is otherdamage to the building such a that pumping operations can not be performed asintended.4.AA telephone, cellular phone, two-way radio, or similar device is available to pumpstation operator and maintenance personnel.UA telephone, cellular phone, two-way radio, or similar device is notavailable to pumpstation operator and maintenance personnel.5. Safety(A or U only)AExhaust fans, vents/louvers are working properly. Fuel storage / distribution meetsstate / local requirements. Fire extinguishers of sufficient quality, quantity, and typeare on hand and are properly charged. Safety hardware (hand rails, grates for wetwells, etc) is installed. Required safety items used (hearing, eyes, etc).USafety issues exist that could cause injury or loss of life.6. Safety FencingRODIASafety/ security fencing is in good condition and provides protection against falling orunauthorized access. Gates open and close freely, locks are in place, and there is littlecorrosion on metal parts.MSafety/ security fencing or gates are damaged or corroded but appear to bemaintainable. Locks may be missing or damaged.USafety/ security fencing and gates are damaged or corroded to the point thatreplacement is required, or potentially dangerous project features are not secured.N/AThere are no features in or around the pump stations that require safety fencing.Key:A= Acceptable.M= Minimally Acceptable; Maintenance is required.U= Unacceptable.N/A= Not Applicable.RODI= Requires Operation During InspectionPump Stations - Continued on Next PageRATED ITEMPump StationsCommunications(A or U only)For use during all Initial and Continuing Eligibility Inspections of pump stationsEVALUATIONPump Station Operationsand Maintenance Manual(A or U only)Appendix C: FCW Inspection Guide

16Page 2 of 4A M U N/ALOCATIONS/ REMARKS / RECOMMENDATIONS7. CranesRODIACrane operational, and have been inspected and load tested in accordance with OSHArequirements.MCrane has not been inspected or operationally tested with the past year, or there arevisible signs of corrosion, oil leakage, etc, requiring maintenance.UCrane not operational, or tagged out of service.N/AThere are no cranes.8. PumpsAAll pumps are properly maintained and lubricated. Systems are periodically tested,and there is no evidence of cavitation, vibrations, or unusual sounds.MMinor deficiencies exist which need to be closely monitored or repaired, such as thepresence of minor vibrations or the corrosion of the pump shaft housing. However,the pumps are operational and are expected to perform through the next period ofusage.UOne or more of the pumps are not operational, or the pump capacity has degraded tothe point where project performance is in question.9. Power(A or U only)AThe power source is adequate, safe, and reliable. Backup generators are on hand orthere is a reliable backup power plan in place. Backup units are properly sized,operational, periodically exercised, and properly maintained.UPower source not considered safe or reliable to sustain operations during floodconditions.10. Insulation MeggerTestingAResults of megger tests show that the insulation meets manufacturer's or industrystandards. Tested within the last 2 years.MResults of megger test show that insulation resistance is lower than manufacturer's orindustry standard, but can be corrected with proper application of heat, or meggertesting not conducted with the last 2 years.UMegger tests not conducted within past three years or indicate that insulationresistance is low enough that the equipment will not be able to meet design standardsof operation; or evidence of arching or shorting is detected visually.11. Motors, Engines, Fansand Gear ReducersAAll items are operational. Preventative maintenance and lubrication is beingperformed and the system is periodically subjected to performance testing.Instrumentation, alarms, and auto shutdowns are operational.MSystems have minor deficiencies, but are operational and will function adequatelythrough the next flood.UOne or more of the primary motors or systems is not operational.Key:A= Acceptable.M= Minimally Acceptable; Maintenance is required.U= Unacceptable.N/A= Not Applicable.RODI= Requires Operation During InspectionPump Stations - Continued on Next PagePump Stations (continued)RATED ITEMEVALUATIONFor use during all Initial and Continuing Eligibility Inspections of pump stationsAppendix C: FCW Inspection Guide

17Page 3 of 4A M U N/ALOCATIONS/ REMARKS / RECOMMENDATIONS12. Pump Control SystemsAOperational and maintained free of damage, corrosion, or other debris.MOperational with minor discrepancies.Will function adequately during the next flood event.UPump controls not operational.May not function adequately during the next flood event.13. Sumps / Wet wellAClear of excessive debris, sediment, or other obstructions. Procedures are in place toremove debris accumulation during operation.MDebris, sediment, or other obstructions are present and must be removed, but thesump/ wet well will function as intended during the next flood. Procedures are inplace to remove debris accumulation during operation.ULarge debris or excessive silt present which will hinder or damage pumps duringoperation, or no procedures have been established to remove debris accumulationduring operation.14.ADrive chain, bearing, gear reducers, and other components are in good operatingcondition and are being properly maintained.MThe trash rake is in need of maintenance, but is still operational.UTrash rake not operational or deficiencies will inhibit operations during the nextflood event.N/AThere are no mechanical trash rakes.15. Trash RacksATrash racks are fastened in place and properly maintained.(non-mechanical)MTrash racks are in place but are unfastened or have bent bars that allow debris to enterinto the pipe or pump station. Repair or replacement is required.UTrash rack is missing or damaged to the extent that it is no longer functional and mustbe replaced.N/AThere are no non-mechanical trash rakes.16. Sluice / Slide GatesRODIAGates open and close freely with minor leakage. Sill is free of sediment and otherobstructions. Gates and lifters have been maintained.MGates have been damaged or have deteriorated, and open and close with resistance orbinding. Leakage quantity is controllable and is not a threat to project performance.Maintenance is required.UGates do not open or close. Gate, stem, lifter and/or guides may be damaged orcorroded.N/AThere are no sluice/slide gates.Key:A= Acceptable.M= Minimally Acceptable; Maintenance is required.U= Unacceptable.N/A= Not Applicable.RODI= Requires Operation During InspectionPump Stations - Continued on Next PageTrash Rakes(Mechanical Operations)RODIPump Stations (continued)For use during all Initial and Continuing Eligibility Inspections of pump stationsRATED ITEMEVALUATIONAppendix C: FCW Inspection Guide

18Page 4 of 4A M U N/ALOCATIONS/ REMARKS / RECOMMENDATIONS17.AAll electric gate operators are in good working condition and are adequately powered,and are capable of opening and closing the gate properly. Preventative maintenanceis being performed and the system is tested periodically.MAll electric gate operators are operational with minor deficiencies, but shouldperform through the next period of usage.UThe electric gate operators are not operational, or the power source is not consideredreliable to sustain operations during flood conditions.N/AThere are no electric gate operators.18. Manual Operators(Backups) for Sluice /Slide GatesAAll manual gate operators are in good working condition and are capable of openingand closing the gate properly. Preventative maintenance is being performed and thesystem is tested periodically.RODIMManual gate operators are operational with minor deficiencies, but should performthrough the next period of usage.UManual gate operators are not operational.N/AIf there are sluice or slide gates, there needs to be means of operating them manually.If there are no sluice/slide gates, this item is N/A.19.AAll metal parts are protected from corrosion damage, and show no rust, damage, ordeterioration that would cause a safety concern.MCorrosion seen on metallic parts appear to be maintainable.UMetallic parts are severely corroded and require replacement to prevent failure,equipment damage, or safety issues.N/AThere are no other significant metallic items associated with the pump stations.Key:A= Acceptable.M= Minimally Acceptable; Maintenance is required.U= Unacceptable.N/A= Not Applicable.RODI= Requires Operation During InspectionAdditional issues noted during the inspection:Pump Stations (continued)For use during all Initial and Continuing Eligibility Inspections of pump stationsRATED ITEMEVALUATIONElectric Gate Operatorsfor Sluice / Slide Gates(Intake/ Discharge)RODIOther Metallic Items(Equipment, Ladders,Platform Anchors, etc)Appendix C: FCW Inspection Guide

19Page 1 of 2A M U N/ALOCATIONS/ REMARKS / RECOMMENDATIONS1.AThere are minimal obstructions or vegetation blocking the FCW.MThe channel is obstructed by minor log jams,snags, or vegetation. Less than 20% ofthe channel is obstructed.UObstructions or vegetation growth have obstructed over 20% of the river or channel.2. ShoalingANo shoaling present.MNon-aquatic grasses present on shoal. Notrees or brush is present on shoal, andchannel flow is not impeded.UShoaling is well established, stabilized by trees, brush, or other vegetation. Shoalsare diverting flow to channel bank causing bank erosion and undercutting.3. EncroachmentsANo trash, debris, excavations, structures,or other obstructions present within theproject easement area. Encroachments which do not diminish proper functioning ofthe project have been previously approved by the Corps.MTrash, debris, excavations, structures, or other obstructions present, or inappropriateactivities that will not inhibit project operations and maintenance or emergencyoperations. Encroachments have not been approved by the Corps.UTrash, debris, excavation, structures, or other obstructions present, or inappropriateactivities that will inhibit project operations and maintenance or emergencyoperations.4. Riprap Revetments &BanksAExisting riprap protection is properly maintained and is undamaged. Riprap clearlyvisible.MNo riprap displacement or scouring activity that could undercut banks, erodeembankments, or restrict desired flow. Unwanted vegetation must be cleared andsprayed with an appropriate herbicide.UDense brush, trees, or grasses hide the rock protection, or meandering and/or scouractivity is undercutting banks, eroding embankments, or impairing channel flows bycausing turbulence or shoaling.N/AThere is no riprap protecting the channel.5. ErosionANo head cutting or horizontal deviation observed.MHead cutting and horizontal deviation evident, but is less than 30 cm (1 foot) from thedesigned grade or cross section.UApparent head cutting and horizontal deviation of more than 30 cm (1 foot) from thedesigned grade or cross section. Corrective actions required to stop or slow erosion.Key:A= Acceptable.M= Minimally Acceptable; Maintenance is required.U= Unacceptable.N/A= Not Applicable.RODI= Requires Operation During InspectionVegetation andObstructionsEarthen (Excavated) Flood Control ChannelsFor use during all Initial and Continuing Eligibility Inspections of excavated flood control channelsEarthen Flood Control Channels - Continued on Next PageRATED ITEMEVALUATIONAppendix C: FCW Inspection Guide

20Page 2 of 2A M U N/ALOCATIONS/ REMARKS / RECOMMENDATIONS6. Concrete SurfacesANegligible spalling, scaling or cracking. If the concrete surface is weathered, roughto the touch, or holds moisture, it is still satisfactory but should be seal coated toprevent freeze/ thaw damage.MSpalling, scaling, and open cracking present, but the immediate integrity orperformance of the structure is not threatened. Reinforcing steel may be exposed.Repairs/ sealing is necessary to prevent additional damage during periods of thawingand freezing.USurface deterioration or deep, controlled cracks present that result in an unreliablestructure.N/AThere are no concrete structures associated with the flood control channel.7.AThere are no significant areas of tilting, sliding, or settlement that would endanger theintegrity of the project.MThere are areas of tilting, sliding, or settlement (either active or inactive) that need tobe repaired. The integrity of the structure is not in danger.UThere are areas of tilting, sliding, or settlement (either active or inactive) that threatenthe structure's integrity and performance.N/AThere are no concrete structures associated with the flood control channel.8.ANo scouring / erosion, or undermining near the structure.MScouring / erosion near the footing of the structure but not close enough to affectstructure stability during the next flood.UScouring or undermining at the foundation that has affected structural integrity.N/AThere are no concrete structures associated with the flood control channel.9.AFlap gates open and close easily with minimal leakage.Gates show no corrosion damage and have been maintained.MGate will not fully open or close because of obstructions that can be easily removed,or has corrosion damage that requires maintenance.UGate is missing, has been damaged, or has deteriorated and needs repair.N/AThere are no flap gates.Key:A= Acceptable.M= Minimally Acceptable; Maintenance is required.U= Unacceptable.N/A= Not Applicable.RODI= Requires Operation During InspectionAdditional issues noted during the inspection:Earthen (Excavated) Flood Control Channels (continued)Flap Gates/Flap Valves/Pinch ValvesRODIEVALUATIONRATED ITEMTilting, Sliding orSettlement of ConcreteStructuresFoundation of ConcreteStructuresFor use during all Initial and Continuing Eligibility Inspections of excavated flood control channelsAppendix C: FCW Inspection Guide

21Page 1 of 2A M U N/ALOCATIONS/ REMARKS / RECOMMENDATIONS1.ANo obstructions, vegetation, debris, or sediment accumulation within the channel.Channel joints and weep holes are also free of grass and weeds.MSediment and debris present, but not to the degree that it supports vegetation.Obstructions/ debris have not impaired the channel flow capacity. Sediment anddebris removal recommended.USediment shoals are well established and support vegetation, or there are obstructionsor accumulated debris that have impaired the channel flow capacity. Sediment anddebris removal required to re-establish flow capacity.2. ShoalingANo shoaling present.MNon-aquatic grasses present on shoal. No trees or brush is present on shoal, andchannel flow is not impeded.UShoaling is well established, stabilized by saplings, brush, or other vegetation. Shoalsare diverting flow to channel walls. Channel flow capacity is reduced andmaintenance is required.3. Concrete SurfacesANegligible spalling, scaling or cracking. If the concrete surface is weathered, roughto the touch, or holds moisture, it is still satisfactory but should be seal coated toprevent freeze/ thaw damage.MSpalling, scaling, and open cracking present, but the immediate integrity orperformance of the structure is not threatened. Reinforcing steel may be exposed.Repairs/ sealing is necessary to prevent additional damage during periods of thawingand freezing.USurface deterioration or deep, controlled cracks present that result in an unreliablestructure.4.AThere are no significant areas of tilting, sliding, or settlement that would endanger theintegrity of the project.MThere are areas of tilting, sliding, or settlement (either active or inactive) that need tobe repaired. The integrity of the structure is not in danger.UThere are areas of tilting, sliding, or settlement (either active or inactive) that threatenthe structure's integrity and performance.5.ANo scouring / erosion, or undermining near the structure.MScouring / erosion near the footing of the structure but not close enough to affectstructure stability during the next flood.UScouring or undermining at the foundation that has affected structural integrity.Key:A= Acceptable.M= Minimally Acceptable; Maintenance is required.U= Unacceptable.N/A= Not Applicable.RODI= Requires Operation During InspectionTilting, Sliding orSettlement of ConcreteStructuresVegetation andObstructionsRATED ITEMConcrete Lined Flood Control ChannelsFoundation of ConcreteStructuresEVALUATIONFor use during all Initial and Continuing Eligibility Inspections of concrete lined flood control channelsConcrete Lined Channels - Continued on Next PageAppendix C: FCW Inspection Guide

22Page 2 of 2A M U N/ALOCATIONS/ REMARKS / RECOMMENDATIONS6. Monolith JointsAThe monolith joint material is in good condition.MThe monolith joint material is deteriorating and needs to be repaired or replaced toprevent spalling and cracking during freeze/ thaw cycles.UThe monolith joint material is severely deteriorated and the concrete has spalled andcracked, damaging the waterstop to the point where it will not provide the intendedlevel of protection during a flood.N/AThere are no monolith joints.7.AFlap gates open and close easily with minimal leakage.Gates show no corrosion damage and have been maintained.MGate will not fully open or close because of obstructions that can be easily removed,or has corrosion damage that requires maintenance.UGate is missing, has been damaged, or has deteriorated and needs repair.N/AThere are no flap gates.Key:A= Acceptable.M= Minimally Acceptable; Maintenance is required.U= Unacceptable.N/A= Not Applicable.RODI= Requires Operation During InspectionAdditional issues noted during the inspection:RATED ITEMEVALUATIONFlap Gates/Flap Valves/Pinch ValvesRODIConcrete Lined Flood Control ChannelsFor use during all Initial and Continuing Eligibility Inspections of concrete lined flood control channelsAppendix C: FCW Inspection Guide

23GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS.The following terms and definitions are used when determining the rating for each item and/or component in the flood control work.DETERMINATION OF OVERALL PROJECT CONDITION CODE:The lowest single rating given for a rated item will determine the overall condition of the project:1. If all items are rated as Acceptable, the overall project condition will be rated as Acceptable.2. If one or more items are rated as Minimally Acceptable, the overall project condition will be rated Minimally Acceptable.3. If one or more item is rated as Unacceptable, the overall project condition will be rated as Unacceptable.PROJECT CONDITION AND ELIGIBILITY FOR PL84-99 ASSISTANCE:3. Projects rated as Unacceptable are immediately put in an"Inactive"status and are not eligible for PL84-99 post flood or storm damage rehabilitation assistance from the Corps of Engineers. Theproject will remain in an inactive status until the project sponsor presents the Corps with proof that all of the required repairs/maintenance has been completed. (This includes any repairs/ maintenancerequired for project features rated minimally Acceptable, as well as those rated Unacceptable.)1. The sections of this report labeled "Basic Eligibility" and "FCW Engineering" only need to be completed during Initial Eligibility Inspections.2. Determination of Minimum Elevation for Levees and Floodwalls (#1 under FCW Engineering):Depending on available data and local Corps policy, the minimum elevation required may be calculated using traditional methods,with the addition of 1 foot of freeboard in agricultural areas and 2 feetof freeboard in urban areas, or using annual exceedance probability, which numerically accounts for the natural variation and uncertainty when estimating discharge-probability and stage-dischargefunctions so that additional requirements for elevation are based on the level of risk in the data.3. All other sections of this guide that correspond to projectfeatures in the Flood Control Work must be fully completed during every Continuing and Initial Eligibility Inspection.4. RODI stands for "Requires Operation During Inspection". Items marked "RODI" will be rated based on the way they work during the inspection.5. Additional areas for inspection will be incorporated by the inspector into this guide if the layout or physical characteristics of the project warrant this. Appropriate entries will be madein the REMARKS block.A - Acceptable:The rated item is in satisfactory condition, with no deficiencies, and will function as designed and intended during the nextflood event.M - Minimally Acceptable:This rated item has minor deficiencies that need to be corrected. The minor deficiencies will not seriously impair the functioning of the item during the next flood event.The overall reliability of the project will be lowered because of the minor deficiency.U - Unacceptable:The deficiencies are serious enough that the rated item will not adequately function during the next flood event, compromising the project's ability to provide reliable floodprotection.1. Projects rated as Acceptable are considered"Active"and eligible for PL84-99 post flood or storm damage rehabilitation assistance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.2. Projects rated Minimally Acceptable are considered"Active"and eligible for PL84-99 rehabilitation assistance during the time that it takes to make needed corrections. This timeframe will be agreedupon between the project sponsor and Corps inspector at the time of the inspection (or shortly thereafter). If the project sponsor does not present the Corps with proof of completion of therepairs/maintenance by the end of this timeframe, then the project will be"Inactive"and will be ineligible for PL84-99 rehabilitation assistance.RATINGS OF INDIVIDUAL ITEMS:Instructions for the Inspection GuideAppendix C: FCW Inspection Guide

24 This page intentionally left blank.Appendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

1 

## APPENDIX D: Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

Appendix D Contents

1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 2

2. OVERTOPPING....................................................................................................... 3

2.1 Options for Raising a Levee ....................................................................................... 3 2.2 Raising a Levee with Earthen Fill............................................................................... 5 2.3 Raising a Levee with Sandbags .................................................................................. 9 2.4 Raising the levee with Flashboards or Lumber and Sack Cappings......................... 14

3. SEEPAGE................................................................................................................ 15

3.1 Effects of Underseepage ........................................................................................... 15

3.2 Sandboils.................................................................................................................. . 16 3.3 Sloughs.................................................................................................................... .. 19 3.4 Floating Soil Conditions ........................................................................................... 20 3.5 Other Seepage Related Considerations..................................................................... 20

4. EROSION................................................................................................................ 21

4.1 Wave Wash ............................................................................................................... 21

4.2 Scours..................................................................................................................... ... 23 4.3 Ice and Floating Debris............................................................................................. 24



## Plates

Plate 1: Emergency Earth Capping Plate 2: Sand Bag Capping Plate 3: Lumber and Sack Capping Plate 4: Method of Draining Levee Slope

Plate 5: Sack Revetment Plate 6: Polyethylene Levee Protection Plate 7: Placement of Polyethylene Sheeting in the Wet Plate 8: Emergency Wave Wash Protection

Plate 9: Movable Wave Wash Protection Plate 10: Deflection Weir, Type A Plate 11: Deflection Weir, Type B Plate 12: Emergency Crevasse Closure

Plate 13: Plank Road Plate 14: Plank Runway

Plate 15: Miscellaneous DetailsAppendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

2 

## 1. Introduction

If a well-constructed levee of correct cross section is pr operly maintained and is not overtopped, it should hold throughout any major fl ood event. However, the levee is still in potential danger whenever there is water against it. The danger increases with the height of water, the duration of the flood st age, the intensity of the current, and the wave action against the levee face. There are three primary f actors that lead to levee failures.

1. Overtopping

2. Seepage problems such as sandboils or slides

3. Erosion from the current or waves

Potential levee failures may be prevented if prompt action is taken and proper methods of treatment are employed. This appendix describes some of the general actions that should be

taken to raise the crown of a levee or to respond to sandboils, seepage problems, or wave wash if these problems are identified during a patrol . The methods described have been developed from many years of experience in dealing with pr oblems that arise as a result of high water, and should be followed as closely as possible. (T he intent of this isn’t to destroy personal initiative when dealing with unusual emergencie s. On the contrary, if a dangerous situation occurs along a levee line, immediate action is demanded using the materials and labor at hand. However, an emergency is not a time in wh ich to experiment, and these proven methods should be employed wherever possible.) Cond itions and problems may arise which are not adequately covered by the sugge stions provided or if there’ s any doubt as to the proper procedure that should be taken, the local U.S. Army Corps of Engineers district Emergency Management Office should immediately be consulted for advice and assistance.Appendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

3 

## 2. Overtopping

A levee is overtopped when water flows over th e levee crown. Low reache s in the levee crown must be identified as early as possible and raised to a uniform level. If the stream is predicted to approach or exceed the height of the existi ng levee, immediate attention should be given to raising the levee crown.

On the other hand, if the stream is likely to crest many feet beyond the el evation of the levee, the best approach may be to simply allow the levee to overtop, so that flood fight efforts can be redirected to other areas. If this is the case, low reaches in the levee crown need to be raised, leveled or otherwise prepared so that it overtops uniformly, to keep the damage to a minimum. Ideally, the levee should be allo wed to overtop uniformly along the downstream portion of the system, so the protected area is "backfilled" with flood water. If the levee is breached due to the overtopping along the downstream portion of the FCW, it prevents the full force of the river's current from flowing into the protected area. An upstream breach will allow the river current to bring in much more debris (for example, entire tr ees), and would possibly cause much more scouring damage to the pr otected area than a downstream overtopping breach. It’s very important that you contact the Corps district o ffice when faced with decisions relating to the overtopping of a levee, as the Corps has a great deal of experience with flood fighting and can provide technical assistance and guidance as needed.

Generally, emergency barriers are constructed 2 f eet above the current predicted river crest. For example, if the river is predicted to rise 1 1/2 feet beyond the elevatio n of the levee, then a 3 1⁄2 foot capping would be necessary in order to ma intain two feet of freeboard as a factor of safety. If the crest prediction increases during construction, additional height must be added.

2.1 Options for Raising a Levee There are a number of ways that the levee crow n can be raised. Provided the work is done well in advance of the high water, in areas where th ere is sufficient space for construction and with the proper equipment, the most efficient means of raising low stretches of the levee is to scarify the surface, haul in fill material and co mpact it in place, as discussed in section 2.2, below. However, this is not al ways possible. No heavy equipm ent should be used on a levee when water is near the top, as the vibrati on may cause a failure. In no case should such equipment be allowed on an earthen levee afte r the levee has commenced to seep. For these reasons, raising the elevation with compacted earthen fill may not be an option. The levee crown may alternately be raised with a sandbag capping or with flashbo ard structures. Jersey barriers have also successfully been converted into floodwalls during emergency situations.

Additionally, there are a large num ber of contemporary technologies that may be used to raise an emergency levee; including bladders, structurally supported membranes, and lightweight

shells that are filled with sand from a bucke t loader. The Corps’ Engineer Research and Development Center has recently completed a ri gorous and impartial stu dy on several of these flood fight technologies. You are encouraged to visit http://chl.erdc.usace.army.mil/ffs for details on the tests and products, since this site will have the Corps’ most current information on the subject, and the website will be upda ted as additional products are tested.Appendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

4 With so many options available for raising a flood barrier, there are several things you should consider as you decide how to best protect your community:

a. Cost of materials and labor The materials for sandbag construction are generally much less expensive than the alternatives. Sandbag construction is very labor intensive, but at the same time, volunteer labor is often readily available during high water.

b. Available time Flashboards or contemporary options are better suited to conditions wh en there is little time available for the construction, because th ey typically require less labor and can be put in place much faster than sandbag levees.

c. Allowable seepage Most construction methods will allow some degree of seepage through the structure. As is the case with sandbags, modifications may be made to the basic designs so that the seepage is reduced, but these modificat ions usually take additional time to

construct.

d. Suitability for construction in the given area Sandbags are extremely versatile and sandbag structures can be constructed almost anywhere. Sandbags can be used to close small roads or to fill gaps, or can be built into long stretches of levees if there is ad equate time and manpower. Flashboards and newer technologies are generally not as versatile, but dependi ng on the technology and the construction, they are ty pically well suited for raisi ng the elevation over longer

stretches.

e. Equipment requirements Sandbag structures can be bui lt without heavy machinery, which may be required for some other options. There are a number of situations where it’s not possible to use even light earthmoving machinery. For exampl e, there might not be enough space for the machinery, or the foundations might be too unstable. Also, i ndividual landowners may object to the use of machinery over their properties.

f. Necessary elevation Though sandbag levees are best suited for elev ations of 3 feet or less, they have successfully been used to raise elevations by 20 feet or more in extreme flooding situations. Flashboards are typically only built to a maximum of 3 feet, and the elevation provided by other t echnologies varies. In deciding between the various options, it’s important to consider how reliabl y they can forecast the crest height of the river. If the river stage might rise severa l feet beyond what is cu rrently predicted, a sandbag levee could be raised higher, while it would be much more difficult to raise something like a flashboard or Jersey barrier structure.Appendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

5 g. Disposal Burlap sandbags are biodegradable and relativ ely easy to remove and dispose of. Other options typically take much longer to remove and create more waste. Some are

reusable.

Situations may arise when one of the more contemporary products may be readily available and appropriate for the given conditions, when there would be insufficient workers available to protect the area with sandbags or when time was extremely lim ited; and in these situations the cost of using these products may be justif ied. While it would be prohibitively expensive for the Corps to stockpile enough inventories to adequa tely address all probl ems that might be faced across the country, the Corps may purchas e such items and make them available for public sponsors if conditions wa rrant. However, in the majority of situations, sandbags are almost always preferred and recommended durin g flood fights when construction with earthen fill is not possible. The following sections provide specific guidance on raising levees using earthen fill, sandbags, and flashboards.

2.2 Raising a Levee with Earthen Fill

a. Borrow Area and Haul Road

Borrow material can become a critical item of supply in some ar eas due to long haul, project isolation, or for othe r reasons. The two prime requi sites for a borrow area are that adequate material be available and that the site be accessible at all times. The quantity estimate plus an additional 50 per cent should provide the basis for the area requirement, in order to provide suitable materials for levee construction as covered

below. The area must be located so that it wi ll not become isolated from the project by high water. Local contractors and local offici als are the best sour ce of information on available borrow areas. In undeveloped areas, the area should be cleared of brush, trees, and debris, with topsoil and humus being stripped. In early spring, it will probably be necessary to rip the area to re move frozen material. An effort should be made to borrow from the area in such a manner that the area will be relatively smooth and free draining when the operation is comp lete. The haul road may be an existing road or street, or it may have to be constructed. To mitigate damages, it is highly desirable to use unpaved trails a nd roads, or to construct a ro ad if the haul distance is short. In any case, the road should be main tained to avoid unnecessary traffic delays. The use of flagmen and warning signs is mandatory at major crossings, such as highways, near schools, and at major pedestri an crossings. It may become necessary to stockpile material near anticipated trouble areas.

b. Equipment One of the important considerations in ea rthwork construction is the selection of proper equipment to do the work. Under emergency conditions, obtaining normally specified earthwork equipment will be diffi cult and the work will generally be done with locally available equipment. It may be wise to call for technical assistance in the early contract stage to ensure that proper and efficient equipment use is proposed. If possible, compaction equipment should be us ed in flood barrier construction. This mayAppendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

6 involve sheepsfoot, rubber-tired, or vibrat ory rollers. Scrapers should be used for hauling when possible because of speed (on short haul) and large capacity. Truck haul, however, has been the most widely used. A ripper is almost essential for opening borrow areas in the early spring. A bulldozer of some size is mandatory on the job to help spread dumped fill a nd provide some compaction.

c. Foundation preparation One of the primary differences in the construction of emergency levees and the construction of permanent levees lies in the preparation of the foundation. Prior to any embankment construction, it’s very impor tant that the foundation is prepared, particularly if the levee is to be left in place. For emergency construction during spring flooding, the first item of work will probably be snow re moval. The snow should be pushed riverward so as to decrease ponding when it melts. Any trees that might be present should be cut and the stumps rem oved. If at all possibl e, any obstructions above the ground (brush or similar debris ) should be removed. The foundation should then be stripped of topsoil and surface humus. (Clearing and grubbing, structure removal and stripping should be performed only if time permits.) Stripping may be impossible if the ground is frozen, and in this case, the foundation should be ripped or scarified, if possible, to provide a tough surface for th e material to bond to. Every

effort should be made to remove all ice or soil containing ice lens es. Frost or frozen ground can give a false sense of security in the early stages of a flood fight. It can act as a rigid boundary and support the levee, but when it thaws, the soil strength may be reduced sufficiently for crack ing or the development of s lides. The ice also forms an impervious barrier to prevent seepage. This may result in a considerable build-up in pressure under the soils la ndward of the levee and, upon thawing, pressure may be

sufficient to cause sudden blowouts. If this condition exists, it must be monitored, and one must be prepared to act quickly if slidi ng or boiling starts. If stripping is possible, the material should be pushed landward an d riverward of the toe of levee and windrowed. After the flood, this material can be spread on the slopes to provide topsoil for vegetation.

d. Materials Earth fill materials for emergency levees will come from local borrow areas. An attempt should be made to utilize materi als which are compatible with the foundation materials as explained below. However, due to time limitation, any local materials may

be used if reasonable cons truction procedures are follo wed. The materials should not contain large frozen pieces of earth.

i. Clay Clay is preferred because the section can be made smaller (steeper side slopes). Also, clay is relatively impervious, and has relatively high re sistance to erosion when it’s compacted. A disadvantage in using clay is that adequate compaction is difficult to obtain without pr oper equipment. Additiona lly, the water content in impervious fill can impact the compaction ne eds. Efforts are typically made at the borrow site to obtain material with the optim al moisture; otherwise, if that is notAppendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

7 possible, more time may be required for compaction. Another disadvantage is that the clay may be wet and sub-freezing te mperatures may cause the material to freeze in the borrow pit and in the hauling equipment. Weather could cause delays and should definitely be considered in the overall construction effort.

ii. Sand If sand is used, the section should comply as closely as possible with recommendations in the paragraph titled Levee Section, below. Flat slopes are important, as steep slopes without poly coverage will cause seepage through the levee to outcrop high on the landward slope, and may cause the slope to slump.

iii. Silt Material that is primarily silt should be avoided, and if it is used, poly facing must be applied to the river slope. Silt, upon wetting, tends to collapse under its own weight and is very susceptible to erosion.

e. Levee Section In standard levees, the foundation soils and available construction materials generally dictate the design configuration of the levee. Therefore, even under emergency conditions, an attempt should be made to make the embankment compatible with the foundation. Information on foundation soils may be available from local officials or engineers, and it should be utilized. Th e three foundation condi tions and the levee

sections cited below are clas sical and idealized, and usual field conditions depart from them to various degrees. However, they s hould be used as a guide so that possible serious flood fight problems might be lessen ed during high water. In determining the top width of any type of section, considera tion should be given as to whether a revised forecast will require additional fill to be placed. A top width adequate for construction equipment will facilitate raising the levee. Finally, actual levee construction will in cases, depend on time, material s, and right-of-way available.

i. Sand Foundation If the foundation material under the emergency levee is sand or some other pervious material, the follo wing guidance is provided:

− If the levee section is to be made of sand, use a minimum of 1V (Vertical) on 3H (Horizontal) river slopes. A 1V on 4H river slope is preferable, and will be less susceptible to erosion, but a 1V on 3H slope is considered an adequate minimum for emergency purposes. Use 1V on 5H for the landward slope, and 10-foot top width.

− If the levee section is to be made of clay, use 1V on 2 1/2 H for both slopes. 1V on 3H slopes are preferable, but 1V on 1 1⁄2 H is an acceptable minimum for emergency purposes. The bottom width should comply with creep ratio criteria; i.e., L (across bottom) shoul d be equal to C x H; where C=9 for fine gravel and 15 for fine sand in the foundation, and H is levee height.Appendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

8 This criteria can be met by using berm s either landward or riverward of the

levee. Berm thickness shoul d be 3 feet or greater. Berms are used mainly to control or to relieve uplift pressures and will not reduce seepage significantly.

ii. Clay Foundation If the foundation material under the emergency levee is clay, the following guidance is provided:

− If the levee section is to be made of sand, it should be constructed with 1V on 3H for the river slope. Again, a 1V on 4H is preferable, but the steeper slope is considered adequate for emer gency purposes. Use 1V on 5H for the landward slope, and a 10-foot top widt h, as described in the previous

section.

− If the levee section is to be made of clay, use 1V on 2 1/2 H for both slopes. 1V on 3H slopes are preferable for cl ay levees, but 1V on 1 1⁄2 H is an acceptable minimum for emergency purpos es. With a clay foundation, there

is no need to construct additional berms.

iii. Clay Layer over a Sand Foundation

If the foundation material is su ch that there is an impervious clay layer resting over a pervious sand layer, the fo llowing guidance is provided:

− If the levee section is to be made of sand, use a minimum of 1V (Vertical) on 3H (Horizontal) river slopes for em ergency purposes. A 1V on 4H slope is preferable, if this construction is possible. 1V on 5H landward slope, and 10-foot top width. In addition, a landsi de berm of sufficient thickness may be necessary to prevent rupture of the clay layer. The berm may be constructed of sand, gravel, or clay, but since berms made of clay generally

need to be wider and thicker than t hose made of pervious materials, it would probably reduce the construction effort to build the berm with sand or gravel, if these materials were available. Standard design of berms requires considerable information and detailed analysis of soil conditions. However, prior technical assistance may reduce berm construction requirements in any emergency situation.

− If the levee section is to be made of clay, use 1 V on 2 1/2 H for both slopes. Again, 1V on 3H slopes are pr eferable, but 1V on 1 1⁄2 H is an acceptable minimum for emergency purposes. Additionally, a berm may be necessary to prevent rupture of the impervious top stratum.

f. Placement Layers should be started out to the full wi dth of the embankment base, and subsequent lifts shall be placed so that the tops are s ubstantially horizontal. In general, the leveeAppendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

9 section should be homogeneous. However, wh en materials of varying permeability are

encountered in the borrow ar ea, the more pervious materi al should be placed on the

landside of the embankment.

g. Compaction As stated above, obtaining proper compaction equipment for a given soil type will be difficult. It is expected in most cases that the only compaction will be from that due to the hauling and spreading equipment, i.e., construction traffic routed over the fill. It is

to be realized that even the minimum re quirements may not be possible or feasible, and, if situation demands, material should be placed and compacted in any way possible and the levee observed closely for signs of distress. A construction engineer should ideally oversee the design of emergency levees. Use of these guidelines should not be taken as a guarantee that a safe structure will be constructed.

i. Pervious Fill Material shall be placed in layers not more than 12 inches in thickness prior to compaction. In emergency situations, each layer should be compacted at the very minimum by one pass of the hauling equipment. However, whenever time, cost and availability of equipment will permit, a much safer structure will result if each layer gets compacted by a mini mum of 3 complete passes of a crawler-type tractor, or by 2 passes of a vibratory roller.

ii. Impervious Fill Fill material shall be placed in layers not exceeding 9 inches prior to compaction. In emergency situations, each layer should receive at least one complete coverage of the track or wheel of the placing equi pment or equivalent. However, whenever time, cost and availability of equipment will permit, a much safer structure will result if each layer gets compacted by a minimum of 4-6 complete passes of a tamping type roller or 4 complete passes of a rubber-tired roller.

2.3 Raising a Levee with Sandbags

a. Sandbags Sandbags are available in plastic and in bur lap. The preferred bags are untreated, close weave burlap sacks available at feed or hardware stores. Empty bags should be stockpiled for emergency use, and can be stor ed for approximately 8 years in a rodentfree environment with low humidity. Don’t fi ll the bags ahead of time, because they will deteriorate quickly. Commercial polypropyl ene sandbags are also effective in a flood fight, but since plastic ba gs are not readily biodegradable, burlap bags will allow more options for disposal if the bags are not going to be reused. (No sandbags should be left in place after the flood fight, regardle ss of whether they are burlap or plastic.) Do not use garbage bags, as they are too slick to stack; and don’t use feed sacks, as they are too large to handle. Experience shows that bags work well if they are approximately 14 inches wide and 24 inches deep.Appendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

10 Figure D.1 This two-person team is

p ositioned properly for sandbag f

illing. b. Fill Material A sandy soil is most desirable for filling sa ndbags, as it’s easiest to shovel, and the bags can most easily be shaped as needed. Fine sand tends to leak through the weave in the bag, and if it is used it should be double bagged. Silty soils also tend to leak through the bags, and both silty soils and cl ays are difficult to shape into place. Gravelly or rocky soils are generally poor choices for sandbag structures because of their permeability, though rocks and gravel may be used in sandbags in order to divert water flows, to fill holes, or to hold objects in po sition. However, any usable material at or near the site has definite advantages . Material should generally not be removed

from within 500 feet of the landward toe of a levee, except for in extreme emergency

situations.

c. Sandbag Filling Filling sandbags manually requires two people. One member of the team folds the throat of the bag outward to form a collar, and holds it open so that the other person can shovel in material. The one holding the bag should hold it between or slightly in front of his or her feet, either crouching with his elbows resting on his knees or standing with his knees slightly flexed, wh ile keeping his head and face as far away from the shovel as possible. Both people should be wearing gloves to protect their hands, and safety goggles may also be desirable, especially on dry or windy days.

If they are available during large-scale operations, bag-holding racks and power loading equipment can expedite the operation. Sandbag filling machines can be very effective if they are functioni ng correctly. Alternately, some people have reported success with improvised sandbag f illing devices duri ng a flood response. Inverted traffic cones or large metal funnels have been placed into holes in a table, and feeding bins with doors in their bases have been used to pour sand into bags.

Regardless of what method you use to fill th em, bags should be filled between one-half (1/2) to two-thirds (2/3) of their capacity. This keeps the bag from ge tting too heavy, but more importantly, sandbag structures do not seal or keep out water as well if the bags are more than 2/3 full. Be very car eful not to overfill or under fill the bags.

d. Tied vs. Untied Bags Although tied sandbags are generally eas ier to handle and stockpile, untied sandbags are recommended for most situations, because untied bags make a better seal when they’re stacked. Since the bags aren’t more than 2/3 full, they can be transported almost as easily whether they’re tied or untied. Tied sandbags should be used only forAppendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

11 special situations when the bags need to be pre-filled and stockpiled, or for specific purposes such as filling holes or for holding objects in position.

e. Preparing the Ground Any debris must be removed from the area befo re the bags are laid in place. Typically, flat headed shovels are used to scrape up (“scarp”) the sod or gravel where they are to be laid, to get down to the solid ground where the bags are to be laid. Do not scarp the ground beyond the area directly under the sa ndbags, because the sod cover in other areas is needed to protect the ground from erosion.

Before laying the bags along the entire leng th of an area to raise the levee, it’s important that you first fill in any low areas with sandbags or with tightly packed earth, so that subsequent sandbag la yers will be kept level.

f. Sandbag Placement When laying the sandbags, the open end of the unfilled portion of the bag is folded over to form a triangle. If tied bags are used, flatten or flare the tied end. Place the partially filled bags lengthwise and parallel to the direction of flow, so the bottom of the bag faces downstream and the folded e nd faces upstream. (This positioning reduces the chance that floating debris will snag on the tucks and open the bags.)

Tuck the flaps under, keeping the unfilled portion under the weight of the sack. Overlap the next bag slight ly over the one before it, so that the top of th at sandbag layer can be flattened without leaving any gaps betw een the bags. Once a bag is placed, it’s very important that you then walk over it, stomp on it, or maul it into place to eliminate voids and form a tight seal.

When succeeding layers are added, stagger th e bags like bricks, so that each one is placed over the gap between the two below it. This ensures that each seam is interlocked between bags and strengthens th e structure. (There should never be less than 1/3 the length of a bag overlapping wi th the ones beneath it.) When placed properly, each bag should raise the elev ation of the structure by 4 inches. Figure D.2 Sandbag placement – tucking in the flaps.

Figure D.3 Sandbag

p lacement – compacting bags together.Appendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

12 g. Sandbag Levees Sandbags can be used to raise the height of an existing leve e or can be used over open ground to protect an area with no levee at all. Any time a sandbag levee will be constructed over one layer high; the bag shoul d be stacked in a pyramid structure to ensure stability. The basic rules of thumb in constructing these structures is that they must be approximately three times as wide as they are high , and the sandbags should be staggered within each layers just as th ey are staggered from one layer to the next. The directions of the bags (t ransverse or longitudinal) may be alternated, as long as no loose ends are left exposed. Use this rule of thumb in determining the dimensions of the pyramid:

− 1 bag in length equals about 1 foot

− 3 bags in width equals about 2 1⁄2 feet

− 3 bags in height equals about 1 foot

When building these structures on top of an existing levee, the bags should begin 1 foot from the riverward crown (shoulder) of the levee. Where space is extremely limited on the levee crown, this distance may be reduced but the structure should never be built less than 6 inches from the edge of the levee crown. Stamp each bag in place, overlap sacks, maintain staggered joint pl acement, and tuck in any loose ends.

Figure D.4 Pyramid sandbag placement. Bags Required Per 100

Linear Feet of Levee

Height of Sandbag Levee Bags Required

1 foot

2 feet

3 feet

4 feet 600*

2100

4500

7800

* Single width course 1 foot high requires 300 bags per 100 linear feet. 

## TYPICAL PYRAMID SANDBAG PLACEMENT

0 ft 2.5 ft 5 ft 7.5 ft 10 ft

Width of Sandbag Base 1 ft

Minimum 0 ft 1 ft 2 ft 3 ft 4 ftHeight of SandbagsAppendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

13 h. Material, Tools, and Labor Requirements for Sandbag Levee Listed below are the materials, tools, and la bor required to construc t 100 linear feet of sandbag levee, two feet hi gh, with a haul distance of 1 mile round trip.

i. Materials and Tools 1,800 Sandbags

10 Shovels 27 Flash lights 10 Tons sand (approx) 2 Emergency light sets 2 Radios or cell phones (one at filling site; one at laying site) 6 Pickup trucks

ii. Labor Requirements: 10 Filling sandbags 5 Loading 6 Hauling 5 Laying 2 Foremen (1 at sandbag filling site, 1 at work site) 28 People required, total

iii. Time Requirements: With given resources, the time for comple tion is estimated at 2 1⁄2 hours, from start

to finish.

i. Bonding Trench and Plastic Sheeting Seepage through a sandbag structure can be kept to a minimum if the structure is built carefully using untied bags. One method that ’s been successfully used to reduce the seepage through a sandbag levee and to increas e the horizontal stabil ity is to construct a bonding trench under the structure before the sandbags are laid in place, as pictured below. An additional precaution is to build the structure over some plastic sheeting, which is pulled up and over the structure once it’s complete.

Figure D.5 Sketch of a typical levee raise with bonding trench.Appendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

14 While it’s always recommended at least to scarp the ground before the bags are laid, the decision to dig this trench or use the plastic sheeting depends on local conditions, as well as on the expected height of the structure and the time that’s available to build it. One of the primary concerns when c onsidering bonding trenches and/or plastic sheeting is the amount of time that’s availabl e. If there’s sufficient time and adequate material, the seepage can be reduced, but if there is very little time available, the ground should be scarped and a typical sa ndbag structure constructed with no bonding

trench at all. An additional concern is whether the sandbag levee would have to be raised in the future, because any plastic shee ting has to be removed before the structure

can be raised.

If plastic sheeting is to be used in conjunction with the sandbag levee, begin by digging a bonding trench 2 sandbags wide and one sandbag deep. The edge of the plastic is placed in the hole and weighed dow n with sandbags, with most of the plastic laying out in the direction of the river. It’s very important that the plastic is never laid across the entire width of the sandbag levee base. Sandbag levees are held together by frictional forces between the bags and w ith the ground surface; sandbag structures are much less stable when wrapped with plas tic, and can slide ap art under high water. Construct the sandbag levee ove r the sheeting, pull the plastic up and overtop of the structure and weigh it down with sandbags on the landward side. Always work from downstream to upstream so that the upstream plastic seams all overlap the ones downstream, in order to prevent debris from snagging the pl astic and pulling the sandbag levee apart.

2.4 Raising the levee with Flashboards or Lumber and Sack Cappings If it appears that the levee raise would have to hold back more than 18 inches of water, consideration should be given to use of a lu mber and sack capping or a flashboard capping. A lumber and sack capping is shown in plate 3, which may be used as a guide to estimate the materials required for a levee rais e of about 3 feet. A flashboard structure is very similar, but the face of the structure is constructed of plywood instead of boards. These wooden facings provide a more positive contro l against excessive through seepage than is provided by sandbags alone. Either structure can be supporte d from behind with either sandbags or with compacted earthen fill, depending on how accessible the crown of the levee is to earthmoving machinery.

Additionally, plastic sh eeting may be installed on the ri verside face of the plywood or flashboards, to protect the wood and reduce seep age through the flashb oards. Flashboards do tend to leak a little, depending on how they ar e constructed and how the boards expand when they’re wet; though these structures are neve r constructed without a sandbag backing. If plastic sheeting is to be used, it should extend 1' riverward from the riverside bottom of the plywood/flashboard. A row of sandba gs should then be stamped in to place along the riverside bottom edge of the plywood/flashboards to help prevent seepage under the flashboard system. The plastic is brought up the riverside of the plywood/flashboards and over the top to the landside supports and he ld in place by sandbags or nails where necessa ry. Field conditions, the available time, and the availabi lity of materials would dictat e the actual requirements.Appendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

15 

## 3. Seepage

As a river or stream rises, the hydrostatic pre ssure against a levee slope increases significantly

and can force water into and under the levee embankment. Even when a levee is properly

constructed and of such mass to resist the dest ructive action of flood wate r, this seepage tends to push its way through regions of least resist ance (such as sandy layers under the levee or animal burrows) out to the surface on the landwar d side of the structure. If there isn’t sufficient pressure on the landwar d side to hold back the seep age water, it will break through the ground surface on the landward side, in the form of bubbling springs, which erode and carry soil particles from under the levee.

Seepage is almost impossible to eliminate and attempt to do so may create a much more severe condition. Seepage is generally not a problem unless 1) the landward levee slope becomes saturated over a large area, 2) seepage wate r is carrying material fr om the levee, or 3) pumping capacity is exceeded. Pumping of seep age should be held to a minimum, and ponding should be allowed during high water to th e extent that it doesn’t cause damages. Several levees were endangered during past fl oods by attempts to keep low areas pumped dry, and additional time and effort were expende d in controlling sandboils caused by pumping. Therefore, seepage should be permitted if no apparent ill-effects are observed and if adequate pumping capacity is available.

3.1 Effects of Underseepage Underseepage can produce three distinctly different effect s on a levee, depending upon the

condition of flow under the levee.

a. Piping Flow

In extreme conditions of excessive unders eepage, the movement of seepage water erodes the foundation materials, and a clearly defined pipe or tube develops under the levee. Unless corrective actions are taken, water continues to erode and enlarge this pipe, so that a cavern develops under the levee, and levee material co llapses to fill in the void. In an advanced state, piping under the levee can be identified by a slumping of the levee crown, and the levee can quick ly fail if it’s overt opped through this low spot. To prevent this condition from developi ng, any boils found to be transporting soil material need to be treated as early as possible.

b. Non-Piping Flow In this case, seepage water flows under the levee without following a well-defined path, and results in one or mo re boils outcropping at or near the landside toe. The flow

from these boils tends to undercut and rave l the landside toe, resulting in sloughing of the landward slope. Sloughing is the moveme nt of small amounts of soils from the embankment slopes. Sloughing may also oc cur if the levee embankment becomes saturated as a result of prolonged high creek st ages. Evidence of this type of failure is found in undercutting and raveli ng at the landside toe.Appendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

16 c. Saturating Flow In this case, numerous small boils, many of which are scarcely not iceable, outcrop at or near the landside toe. While no boil may a ppear dangerous in itself, a group of boils may cause significant damage. The flowing water may erode away supporting material and/or keep the area saturated and cause fl otation ("quickness") of the soil, reducing the shearing strength of the material at th e toe (where maximum shearing stress occurs) which could lead to slope failure. In a slope failure condition, a substantial section of the levee embankment breaks away along a clear ly defined crack and slides away from the levee. The displacement of the soil will re sult in a reduction in the cross sectional area of the levee and poses a major threat to the integrity of the structure.

3.2 Sandboils

a. Identification of Sand Boils Sandboils usually occur within 10 to 300 feet from the landsid e toe of the levee and, in some instances, have occurred up to 1,000 feet away. Boils will have an obvious exit (such as a rodent hole), but the hole may be very small. When material is carried upward through a boil, it is de posited in a circular pattern around the exit location, and is comparable to an ant hill or volcano. A lternately, sandboils may exit into standing water. In this case, they may be difficult to identify, especially if the hole is small and the water cloudy from siltation. If you see any movement in what appears to be standing water on the landward si de of the structure, this may be the exit point for a sandboil. Carefully appro ach the site, disturbing the water as little as po ssible, and let

the water settle in order to look for the exit point. If there is no di stinct hole, the water

flow is not a threat. All boils should be conspicuously marked with flagging so that patrols can locate them without difficulty and observe changes in their condition.

You can tell how serious a boil is by the co lor of the water that is coming out. If the water is relatively clear, it means that there is relatively little material being eroded away through the boil. The site should be monitored regularly for changes, but nothing

else should be done to treat th e clear boil. If it’s dark or muddy, then it’s full of material that’s been eroded away from under the levee, and must be treated immediately. Boils may quickly grow very large, and boils, which are discharging clear water, may suddenly begin to discha rge soil materials along with the seepage flows. For this reason, any boil, whether the flow is clear or muddy, can potentially

lead to the failure of the levee and must be monitored closely.

b. Treatment of Sandboils The most common and accepted method of treati ng sandboils that are displacing soil is to construct a ring of sandbags around the bo il(s) as illustrated in Figure D.7. The purpose of the ring is to raise a head of water over the boil to counterbalance the upward pressure of the seepage flow. The height of the water column is adjusted so that the water exiting the boil runs clear and no longer removes soil from the levee foundation. It’s extremely important that the flow of wate r is never stoppedAppendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

17 completely, as this may cause additional boils to break out nearby. Treated areas should be kept under constant surv eillance until the water recedes.

The diameter and height of the ring will depend on the actual conditions at each

sandboil. The base width should be at least 11⁄2 times the contemplated height, and the inner ring of sandbags should begin between one an d three feet from outer edge of the sandboil. "Weak" or "quick" ground near a boil should be included within the sack ring to prevent these areas from developing into new

boils when the active boil is treated. Where several sandboils develop in a localized area, a ring levee of sandbags

should be constructed around the entire area. The ring should ideally be of sufficient diameter to permit sacking operations to keep ahead of the flow of

water. When a sandboil is located near the levee toe, the sa ndbag ring may be tied into the landside slope of the levee, as shown in Figure D.8.

The base or foundation for the sack ring

should be cleared of debris and scarified to provide a reasonably watertight bond between the ground surface and the sandbags. The ring is constructed with sacks filled a pproximately two-thirds (2/3) full of sand, and tamped firmly into place. Do not tie the ends of the sacks. When adding subsequent layers, the joints should be st aggered for stability and water tightness. The untied ends of sandbags should be laid towards the inside of the ring and folded under. The height of the sack ring should be only su fficient to slow the flow until the water Figure D.8 Sketch of ring levee tied to a levee

s lope, with spillway. Construction against the levee slope results in a U- s haped sandbag “chimney.” Figure D.7 Sketch of a typical ring levee with spillway. Figure D.6 To treat the sandboil, the pressure of the seepage water is counterbalanced by hydrostatic

p ressure from the column of water in the ring levee.Appendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

18 exiting the boil runs clean. Never place sandbags directly over th e sandboil or attempt to completely stop the flow through the boi ls, as this may result in other boils developing nearby.

A spillway or exit channel should be construc ted on the top of the sack ring so that the level of the water in the ring levee can be adjusted, and the overflow water can be carried a safe distance from the boil, away from the direction of the levee. Because the height of the water is the critical factor in adjusting the rate of flow through the boil, the spillway will re quire constant monito ring and adjustment once the sandbag ring

levee is filled with water. This spillway is normally constructed of sandbags, but alternately, a V-shaped drain can be constructed of two boa rds; or PVC pipe, plastic sheeting, or other materials may be helpful in building the spillway.

c. Material, Tools, and Labor Requi rements for Sandbag Ring Levee: Materials, tools, and labor required to construct a Sandbag Ring Levee 21⁄2 feet high

and 10 feet in diameter with a ha ul distance of 1 mile round trip.

i. Materials and Tools: 1,125 Sandbags 5 Shovels, long or short handle 9 Tons of sand (approximately) 5 Pick up trucks 2 Radios or cell phones (one at filling site; one at laying site) 2 Emergency light sets 15 Flashlights 15 Pairs of work gloves

ii. Labor Requirements: 4 Filling sandbags 3 Loading/ carrying 5 Hauling to work site 3 Laying (placement) 2 Foremen (1 at sandbag filling site 1 at work site) 17 People required, total

iii. Time Requirements: With given resources, time for construction is estimated to be 1-1⁄2 hours from start

to finish.Appendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

19 d. Alternate Methods of Treating Sandboils An alternate method of ringing sandboils is by use of corrugated sheet-steel pili ng, as shown in Figure D.9.

The area is cleared of debris , and the piling is driven

about 1-1⁄2 feet into the ground around the boil. This method accomplishes the same task faster than sandbagging, but is limited in use by the availability of material, equipment, and the location and foundation condition of boils. Expedient methods can be improvised in other ways, to include using sections of corrugated metal piping. Special care must be taken with the design of these structures to make sure there is a reliable means for adjusting the water level, so the water column doesn’t completely stop the flow of water through the boil.

Alternately, it may sometimes be possible to locate the inlet side of a boil under the

water on the riverward bank of the levee. A swirl may be observed in the water at this point, or the location of the en try point may have been iden tified after a previous high water event. Sometimes, because of the current, the swirling vortex appears on the water’s surface slightly downstream of the actu al opening. If the opening is located, it may be possible to block the seepage flow at its entry point, since blocking the entry point may take much less time than constructing a sandbag ring levee. If the entry point is located, it can be blocked by anchor ing a sheet of plastic over the area, using rope and sandbags. It may sometimes be po ssible to plug a flooded animal burrow by placing a mixture of manure and straw or dry hay into the water at the burrow entrance. If the entry point is blocked, both the blockage and the location of boil need to be closely monitored for any changes.

3.3 Sloughs If seepage causes saturation and sloughing of the landward slope, the slope should ideally be flattened to 1V (vertical) on 4H (horizontal) or fl atter. Material for fla ttening should be at least as pervious as the embankment material. If a ny sloughs develop in the levee, all soft areas should be thoroughly drained by excavating shallow ditches in the side slopes, as shown in Plate 4. Contact your Corps district office before undertaking this method. Figure D.9 A ring of steel- s heet

p iling can alternately be used to ring the boil, if conditions permit.Appendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

20 3.4 Floating Soil Conditions When seepage exits landward of the levee toe at a pressure that creates a sensation like the soil is fluid, the levee and foundation become sus ceptible to sliding and/or sloughing which can

lead to an embankment failure. A fluid soil cond ition is an indicator that soil particles or the soil mass is floating, and the soil's ability to support a load such as a vehicle or heavy equipment and/or the levee embankment itself has been reduced. When this condition is observed, the safety, health and welfare of t hose individuals who are responding to the flood fight and/or those who live with in the protected area must come first. Consideration must be given to evacuating the area. If the sod layer appears to pop loose or lift up, evacuate the area immediately. In a past flood, this condition wa s observed and successfully solved with the placement of clean, free-draining sand fill, classi fied as SP medium to fine sand, with less than 5 percent fines passing the number 200 sieve. Th e sand was brought in from another location (away from the levee), and a bulldozer was used to push the sand over the area, creating a

blanket some 3 feet in thickness and some 20 feet in width. The thickness and width necessary may vary depending on the observed conditions.

3.5 Other Seepage Related Considerations Any basement or similar depres sion near the levee should be cl osely watched for heaving of floors, caving of walls, and boil activity. It may become necessary to support basement walls or weight down basement floors by intentionally flooding the basement with clean water, to prevent walls from caving in, piping, or excessive seepage.Appendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

21 

## 4. Erosion

4.1 Wave Wash During high water, continuing wave action agains t a levee slope can erode wide terraces along the length of the levee. This causes scour or beaching along the riverward slope of the levee and reduces the cross sectional area, which can potentially lead to a failure. This type of damage doesn’t typically arise during short (h our-long) storms, especially if the slope has good sod cover. However, during longer periods of high water, especially during windy or icy conditions, the damage can develop very rapi dly. The section leader should study the levee beforehand to assess the potential for wave was h. All potential trouble areas should be located well in advance, and section l eaders should assemble a reserve supply of materials (filled sandbags, lumber, stakes, plasti c sheeting, rock, etc) close to locations most likely to experience such damage. During periods of high wind and high water, when waves attack a levee, ample labor should be assembled and ex perienced personnel should patrol th e areas to identify the beginnings of scour , washouts, or breaching. Because wave wash damage can spread rapidly, it is important that damaged areas are treated as soon as they are identified. There are a number of accepted methods of protecting a levee against wave wash.

a. Sandbags In emergency situations, the preferred treatm ent method is to place sandbags in to the

cut as shown in Plate 5. The filled sacks shoul d be laid in sections of sufficient length to give protection well a bove the anticipated rise.

b. Plastic Sheeting and Sandbags Experience has shown that a combination of plastic sheeting and sa ndbags is one of the most expedient, effective and economical met hods of combating slope attack in a flood

situation. Other materials such as snow fence, cotton, or bur lap have successfully been used in place of the plastic in the past. Po ly and sandbags can be used in a variety of combinations, and time becomes the factor that may determine which combination to use. Ideally, poly and sandbag protection s hould be placed in the dry. However, many cases of unexpected slope attack will occur during high water, and a method for placement in the wet is covered below. S ee Plates 6 and 7 for recommended methods of laying poly and sandbags. Plate 8 show s a minimal configuration for emergency use. Since each flood fight project is gene rally unique (river, personnel available, materials, etc.), specific details of placement and materials handling will not be covered, though some guidelines are provided below. Field personnel must be aware of

resources available when using poly and sandbags.

i. Dry Placement Anchoring the poly along the riverward toe is important for a successful job. It may be done in three different ways: 1) after co mpletion of the levee, a trench excavated along the toe, poly placed in the trench, a nd the trench backfilled; 2) poly placed flat-out away from the toe, and earth pus hed over the flap; 3) poly placed flat-out

from the toe and one or more rows of sandbags placed over the flap. The poly should then be unrolled up the slope and over the top enough to allow forAppendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

22 anchoring with sandbags. Poly should be placed from downstream to upstream along the slopes and overlapped at least two feet. The poly is now ready for the "hold-down" sandbags.

It is mandatory that poly placed on levee slopes be he ld down along the slopes as well. An effective method of anchoring pol y is a grid system of sandbags, unless extremely high velocities, heavy debris or a large amount of ice is anticipated. Then, a solid blanket of bags over the poly should be used. A grid system can be constructed faster and requires fewer ba gs and much less labor than a total covering. Various grid system s include vertical rows of lapped bags, two-by-four lumber held down by attached bags, and rows of bags held by a continuous rope tied to each bag. Poly has been held dow n by a system using two bags tied with rope and the rope saddled over the levee crown with a bag on each slope.

ii. Placement in the Wet In many situations during high water, po ly and sandbags placed in the wet must provide the emergency protection. Wet placem ent may also be required to replace or maintain damaged poly or poly disp laced by current action. Plate 7 shows a typical section of levee c overed in the wet. Sandbag anchors are formed at the bottom edge and ends of the poly by bunching the poly around a fistful of sand or rock, and tying the sandbags to this fist -sized ball. Counterweights consisting of two or more sandbags connected by a length of 1/4-inch rope are used to hold the center portion of the poly dow n. The number of counterwe ights will depend on the uniformity of the levee slope and current velocity. Placement of the poly consists of first casting out the poly sheet with the bottom weights and then adding counterweights to slowly sink the poly sh eet into place. The poly, in most cases, will continue to move down slope until the bottom edge reaches the toe of the slope. Sufficient counterweight s should be added to insure that no air voids exist between the poly and the levee face and to keep the poly from flapping or being carried away in the current. For this reason, it is important to have enough counterweights prepared prior to the placement of the sheet.

iii. Overuse of Plastic Sheeting In past floods, there has been a tendency to overuse and in some cases misuse poly on slopes. For example, on well-compact ed clay embankments, in areas of relatively low velocities, use of poly woul d be excessive. Plastic should never be used on the landward slopes, as it holds through-seepage against the levee slope. A critical analysis of a situation should be made before poly and sandbags are used,

with a view toward less waste and more efficient use of these materials and available manpower. However, if a situation is doubtful, poly should be used rather than risk a failure. Critical areas should have priority.Appendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

23 c. Moveable Panels Wave wash may also be effectively checked by the use of movabl e panels constructed of lumber. These panels are anchored in pl ace on the levee slope with stakes and are weighted down with sandbags or stone as shown on Plate 9. A portable bulkhead

constructed with lumber and st aked into placed is another a lternate type of wave wash protection.

d. Miscellaneous Measures Several other methods of slope protection have been used. Straw bales pegged into the slope were successful against wave acti on, as was straw spread on the slope and

overlain with snow fence.

4.2 Scours Scouring occurs when the current velocity agai nst the levee is adequate to remove levee

embankment materials. Once scour ing begins to occur, the protective sod cover is damaged or destroyed and additional scour may develop very quickly. Careful observation should be made along the entire length of the rivers ide of the levee during high wa ter periods, and especially in

locations where the current flow is two feet per second or more. Scouring will most likely develop at road crossing ramps and at locatio ns where pipes, sewers , and other structures penetrate the levee. It may also develop in ditches, excavations or building basements near the levee, around riverside stability berms, or in other locations where there is an obstruction to the smooth flow of water along the levee face. If any scour is observed, soundings should be taken if possible to determine the extent of damage and the amount of treatment required.

a. Deflection Weirs Deflection weirs (also known as bendway weir s), extending 10 feet or more into the

channel have been effective in deflectin g current away from the levees. These emergency structures can be constructed using lumber, stakes, brush, sandbags, and stone, and are tied in place as shown on Plat es 10 and 11. Snow fence, plain riprap, compacted earth or any other substantial ma terials available may also be used; even old car bodies have been used in the past. Pr eferably, the weirs shoul d be placed in the dry at locations where severe scour may be anticipated, because construction during high water will be very difficult. A series of weirs may be needed to protect the area, or a longer weir may be constr ucted in the water parallel to the levee. Care should be given in the placement of weirs, because ha phazard placement may be shift the current

towards other banks and lead to even wo rse scouring. Hydraulic technical assistance should be sought if questions arise in the use of emergency weirs.

b. Plastic Sheeting Plastic sheeting may be useful in prot ecting the embankment from scouring, as described under the previ ous section on wave wash.Appendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

24 c. Other Protection If scour begins to take place after water is up on the levee, a protective berm should be constructed over the entire scour area using stone, slag, or

other durable material with sufficient size and weight withstand the erosive velocity of the current. Construction of this berm will generally require equipment capable of operating from the levee crown. Riprap has been used to provide slope protection where erosive forces were too large to be effectively c ontrolled by other means. Objections to using riprap when flood fighting include the cost and the large quantities that are typically necessary to pr otect a given area. It’s usually very difficult to control the placement of the riprap, particularly during times of high water,

but careful use of an excav ator has been effective

even in difficult conditions.

4.3 Ice and Floating Debris

Sometimes ice conditions are su ch that protection provided by the methods outlined above will not be totally effective. The primary met hod for protecting a levee slope from debris or

ice attack is to construct a fl oating boom parallel to the le vee embankment. Logs, driftwood, or any available timber are cabled together end to end and moor ed to the ground in such a way that they float out in the current about 15 feet from the water's edge. Depending on the size of the logs, the boom will deflect floating objects. Since a detailed discussion of ice jams lies beyond the scope of this manual, please refer to the references in Appendix I for additional

information. Figure D.10 Placement of Riprap. Careful use of an excavator may allow f

or more accurate placement than is

shown above.Appendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

25 Plate 1Appendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

26 Plate 2Appendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

27 Plate 3Appendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

28 Plate 4Appendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

29 Plate 5Appendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

30 Plate 6Appendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

31 Plate 7Appendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

32 Plate 8Appendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

33 Plate 9Appendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

34 Plate 10Appendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

35 Plate 11Appendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

36 Plate 12Appendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

37 Plate 13Appendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

38 Plate 14Appendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

39 Plate 15Appendix D- Flood Fighting Techniques on Levees

40 This page intentionally left blank.Appendix E- Rehabilitation Request Form

1 

## APPENDIX E: REHABILITATION REQUEST FORM

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ________ District Date of Request:_______________ ATTN: Emergency Management Branch

Street Address City, State ZIP+4

Dear Sir:

The purpose of this letter is to request Rehabilita tion Assistance from the Corps of Engineers under Public Law 84-99 for the repair of the ________ ________________ levee (or other type of flood control project) that was damaged by (flood)(h igh waters) during ___________________ 20___. The project is Active in the Rehabilitation and In spection Program, and was last inspected by the Corps of Engineers on __________________. The loca tion of the levee and a brief description of the damage are as follows:

Project Identification Number______________ River or Stream _______________________ Bank (circle): Left, Right, Both Description of Damage _________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

City______________________ County ________________State ______________

Section_________________ Township ___________________Range___________________

Public Sponsor Point of Contact:

Name_________________________________________________________ Address____________________________________ City______________ State_____ Telephone (W) ______________________ (H)________________________________

If this project is eligible for PL 84-99 Rehabilitation Assistance, I further request that the Corps of Engineers take all necessary steps to accomplish th e appropriate repairs. It is agreed that the required items of local cooperati on will be provided should the lev ee be eligible for Rehabilitation Assistance under PL 84-99 and the repair work is accomplished by the Corps of Engineers.

I hereby certify that the right-of-way which is requi red for any authorized repair work is presently available, and this letter constitutes permission for the Government and its agents to enter and use said right-of-way in undertaking authorized repair work.

Sincerely,

______________________________________________Appendix E- Rehabilitation Request Form

2 This page intentionally left blank.Appendix F- Cooperation Agreement for Rehabi litation of Non-Federa l Flood Control Works

1 

## APPENDIX F: Cooperation Agreem ent for Rehabilitation of NonFederal Flood Control WorksAppendix F- Cooperation Agreement for Rehabi litation of Non-Federa l Flood Control Works

2Appendix F- Cooperation Agreement for Rehabi litation of Non-Federa l Flood Control Works

3Appendix F- Cooperation Agreement for Rehabi litation of Non-Federa l Flood Control Works

4Appendix F- Cooperation Agreement for Rehabi litation of Non-Federa l Flood Control Works

5Appendix F- Cooperation Agreement for Rehabi litation of Non-Federa l Flood Control Works

6Appendix F- Cooperation Agreement for Rehabi litation of Non-Federa l Flood Control Works

7Appendix F- Cooperation Agreement for Rehabi litation of Non-Federa l Flood Control Works

8Appendix G- Cooperation Agreem ent for Flood Fight Assistance

1 

## APPENDIX G: COOPERATIO N AGREEMENT FOR FLOOD

FIGHT

COOPER A TION AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

and

__________________________________________________ for EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE (FLOOD or COASTAL STORM)

THIS AGREEMENT , entered into this ____ day of _______________, 20___, by and between THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY (hereinafter referred to as the "Government") acting by and through the District Engineer, _____________ District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the _________________________________________________[PUBLIC SPONSOR], (hereinafter referred to as the "Public Sponsor") , acting by and through ___________________________ [TITLE OF PERSON SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT].

WITNESSETH THAT:

WHEREAS, Public Law 99, 84th Congress, approved 28 June 1955, authorizes the Chief of Engineers to flood fight and perform rescue operations.

WHEREAS, the Public Sponsor has requested assistance under Pub lic Law 84-99, and the Public Sponsor qualifies for assistance in accordance with the established policies of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:

1. The Government will perform the work described in its scope of work (attached) that is made part of this agreement.

2. The Public Sponsor agrees, in consi deration of the Government providing assi stance, to fulfill the requirement of nonFederal cooperation required by the U.S. Ar my Corps of Engineers regulations, to wit:

a. Provide without cost to the Government all lands, eas ements, rights-of-ways, borrow material, and disposal areas necessary for the authorized work, for the use of borrow areas an d/or spoil areas, and for access to and from the site(s) of th e structure(s) or work area(s), the borrow sites, and spoil areas.

b. Hold and save the Government free from damages due to the authorized work, except damages due to the fault or negligence of the Government or its contractors.

c. Maintain and operate the completed work in a manner satisfactory to the Government.

3. The Public Sponsor further agrees to remove, at no cost to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, all temporary work constructed by the Government; and,

a. (Add others as applicable)

4. Additional obligation under the terms of this agreement terminates when the authorized work performed by the Government is completed.

5. ATTACHMENTS:

a. Exhibit A - Government Scope of Work.

b. (Add others as applicable)

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have executed this agreement of the day and year first above written.

THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY THE [ NAME OF PUBLIC SPONSOR ]Appendix G- Cooperation Agreem ent for Flood Fight Assistance

2 This page intentionally left blank.Appendix H- Cooperation Agreement for Advance Measures Assistance

1 

## APPENDIX H: COOPERATION AGREEMENT FOR

ADVANCE MEASURES ASSISTANCEAppendix H- Cooperation Agreement for Advance Measures Assistance

2Appendix I- Useful Internet Addresses

1 

## APPENDIX I: USEFUL LINKS

Organizations:

http://www.usace.army.mil Homepage of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. All districts and divi sions are linked through this page, and can be accessed through alphabetical listings and through cl icking on a map of the United States. Emergency Management Offices are accessible through division and district home pages.

http://www.fema.gov Homepage of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/ National Weather Service Website. If you click on the “Rivers” tab, you can view river gage

information.



## Laws and Regulations:

http://uscode.house.gov/

Searchable database of th e US Code (Public Laws)

http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html The Code of Federal Regulations Main Page

http://www.usace.army.mil/inet/usace-docs/ Publications of the Army Corps of Engineer s Headquarters. There are a number of Corps publications that may provide additional guidance in the operation, maintenance or preferable design of flood control works. Some specific refere nces are listed in Chap ter 1 of this manual.Appendix I- Useful Internet Addresses

2 

## Other Useful Information:

http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/local_protection/guidance.html This site has a lot of information that the Corps’ geotechnical engin eers have assembled for public use. It gives more detailed guidance on many topics, such as running utilities over and through a levee, power poles, slope protection, gates, a nd a number of other related topics.

http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/PublicMenu/M enu.cfm?sitename=em&pagename=Floodfi This Corps site has presentati ons and brochures on sandbagging.

http://chl.erdc.usace.army.mil/ffs This website, “Laboratory and Field Testing of Temporary Barrier Type Flood Fighting Products,” provi des information the Corps has gathered on alternative flood fight technologies. There are several innovative flood fight products that the Corps has tested, and the results ar e publicly available on this site.

http://www.crrel.usace.army.mil/icejams/index.htm This Corps site provides information on ice jams.

http://www.gnb.ca/0009/0369/0004/ While this website is specific to New Brunswic k, Canada, it is another very good source of information on ice jams.

http://chl.wes.army.mil/research/hyd struc/bankprotect/scm_guide_screen.pdf

The Kansas River and Stream Corridor Mana gement Guide presents some good general information on channels, erosion control measur es, and other topics related to watershed

management.

http://www.fema.gov/fima/ Of particular note on the FEMA webpage is the Mitigation Division homepage. This page has

a lot of useful information on flood insuran ce and grant programs. It also includes a searchable database of best practices and case studies, http://www.fema.gov/mitigationss/sstory_find_gui.do If you select “Flooding” as a hazard, and “Flood Control” as a category, you can find a number of success stories of flood control works from around the country. This databa se also includes some good examples of

relocations and non-structural alte rnatives to flooding problems.US Army Corps of Engineers ®