Regional Army Corps of Engineers levee safety conference to emphasize operation, maintenance to meet current standards

Published Dec. 5, 2010

LOUISVILLE, KY. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District is hosting the 3rd Annual Levee Safety Conference on Wednesday and Thursday Dec. 8 and 9, 2010, at the Sheraton Louisville Riverside Hotel, Jeffersonville, Ind.

The conference is designed for levee sponsors – typically local government entities who operate, manage and
maintain levees and floodwalls - in a four-state area including Kentucky, Indiana, western Illinois and southern Ohio.

The Army Corps of Engineers’ mission is to conduct evaluations or inspections of levees and floodwalls in the area to assist communities and metropolitan areas to improve functioning of their flood protection systems. The Corps’levee safety program is implemented by civil servants who are subject matter experts from various disciplines such
as geotechnical, electrical, hydrology and hydraulics, mechanical, and structural engineering.

Presentations by engineers will include topics such as a National Committee on Levee Safety update, Periodic
Inspections under ARRA, concrete floodwall repairs, levee system evaluations, and how to pursue a study for
rehabilitation or reconstruction of a levee. New to this year’s conference are exhibits by vendors and businesses
such as sluice/flap gates, video inspection contractors, slipline contractors, mowing equipment, pump companies or
manufacturers and confined space entry.

“Another benefit of the conference is sponsors get face-to-face with each other and share success stories and
strategize how to best serve their communities,” said Dan Frank, levee safety program manager, Louisville District
Army Corps of Engineers.

The Louisville District was the first district nationwide to create and implement such a conference among 41 districts.