Jenks Levee Gets $1.3M Upgrade for Enhanced Flood Protection

Tulsa County Commissioners have greenlit a significant $1.3 million project aimed at bolstering flood protection for the city of Jenks. The initiative will focus on enhancing the Jenks levee, a crucial 7.8-mile structure that encircles the city, safeguarding vital infrastructure and downtown areas. This upgrade is a direct response to the severe flooding experienced in May 2019, which prompted a re-evaluation of the county's levee systems by FEMA.

Key Takeaways

• A $1.3 million project has been approved to improve the Jenks levee.

• The project aims to raise the levee to meet higher federal standards for flood protection.

• Construction is slated to begin early next year and conclude by the end of the year.

Enhancing Flood Protection for Jenks

The approved project will involve adding compacted soil to the existing Jenks levee, effectively raising its height. Currently, the levee is designed to withstand a 100-year flood event. However, updated federal standards necessitate further elevation for enhanced security against increasingly challenging weather patterns, a concern amplified by climate change.

Tulsa County Commissioner Karen Keith emphasized the levee's critical role, stating, "It protects downtown Jenks, it protects the airport, it protects all sorts of infrastructure that’s there as well. So it’s pretty important." She further elaborated on the need for the upgrade, describing the process as building up the levee with "special dirt" to ensure it can provide adequate protection for the coming century.

Addressing Past Flooding and Future Preparedness

The impetus for this project stems directly from the widespread flooding that impacted the region in May 2019. Following that event, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) conducted an assessment of the county's levees to identify areas requiring improvement. The Jenks levee, while holding strong during the 2019 floods, is structurally distinct from the west Tulsa levee, which sustained significant damage during the same period.

Regarding the west Tulsa levee, Commissioner Keith indicated that it is currently in the pre-engineering and design phase for repairs. While funds have been authorized, the county is awaiting their release, anticipating inclusion in upcoming infrastructure packages or the Water Resources Development Authority (WRDA) bill.

Project Timeline

Construction on the Jenks levee improvement project is scheduled to commence in early next year and is expected to continue through the end of the year.

Sources

• Tulsa County approves $1.3M Jenks levee improvement project, KJRH.