Corps of Engineers awards $8.5 million contract for Missouri River breach closure

MILLS COUNTY, Iowa. (KMTV) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Omaha District) awarded an $8.5 million contract Wednesday to close a breach along the Missouri River.

Located along river mile 583, northwest of Bartlett in Mills County, IA, the L601 levee breached during destructive floods in March. This contract, awarded to Newt Marine Service out of Dubuque, IA, will ensure protection is still provided during repairs of critical infrastructure behind the levee, like I-29.

The initial breach closure is expected to be complete in 30 days, while the placement of all material in the breach will be done in 80 days.

“The site was complicated by difficult access to the identified borrow area,” said Jeremy Szynskie, Project Manager for USACE. “To help with this, the contractor plans to bring 2-3 smaller dredges to the project and use sand from the area on the land side of the levee.”

Levee assessments continue as waters subside. Planning is still underway to repair 50 breaches caused by March flooding, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says.

More than 500 miles of tributaries and levees along the Missouri, Elkhorn and Platte rivers that have endured significant damage. Because of the magnitude of damage along these areas, repair efforts will take an extended amount of time to complete.

“Elevated risk remains until the federal levee system is fully repaired," said Matthew Krajewski, Readiness Branch Chief. “Please continue to exercise extreme caution. Stay in close contact with your local emergency management agency for more information.”