The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Albuquerque District and the Eastern Sandoval County Arroyo Flood Control Authority (ESCAFCA) signed an agreement Oct. 2 to partner on a geotechnical, hydrological, hydraulic, economic and environmental study of the existing spoil bank levees along the east side of the Rio Grande near the Town of Bernalillo, N.M.
The resulting report will provide a detailed analysis of the existing spoil bank levees and the flood plain and provide a determination of a recommended plan for levee improvements.
“The Corps and ESCAFCA are taking a phased approach to address the flood management issues faced by the citizens living in and around the Town of Bernalillo,” said Project Manager Michael Martinez. “The initial study phase will provide a detailed analysis of the existing spoil bank levees and perform hydraulic flood model runs to compare against the FEMA 2008 flood maps.”
According to Martinez, the resulting information from this phase will be rolled into the next phase, which will provide a more in-depth evaluation of the flood plain and develop a recommended plan with an evaluation of environmental impacts and preparation of an environmental impact statement or environmental assessment. It will also include development of a detailed construction cost estimate, preliminary design documents and preparation of real estate mapping identifying any acquisitions needed for construction.
Public meetings will take place throughout the study.
“With the completion of the second phase, the Corps and ESCAFCA will team up with other stakeholders in the region to pursue the design and construction of a flood risk management project,” he said.
To learn more, call Martinez at 505-343-6262.