Flood Control System

The City of Paducah operates and maintains the concrete and earthen levee system that extends 12.2 miles (9.2 miles of earthen levee and 3.0 miles of concrete).  The system includes 12 pump stations and several pipe gates, pipes, and vehicular openings.  The City took over maintenance of the floodwall from the Corps of Engineers in 1949.

Floodwall Renovation 

The corrugated metal pipes (CMPs) under Paducah’s floodwall were the first elements installed when the floodwall was constructed between 1939 and 1949.  The pipes have exceeded their design life.  The design life of a CMP is typically about 50 years depending upon the thickness of the pipe, coating, exposure to elements, and the weight of material above it.  The pipes will be rehabilitated through one of two processes:  curing in place or slip-lining.

At the October 9, 2007, City Commission Meeting, the Commission approved an ordinance for a contract between the City of Paducah and Florence & Hutcheson, Inc. for an assessment of all of the corrugated metal pipes (CMPs) that cross through the floodwall.  The engineering assessment includes a video assessment of each pipe, the rehabilitation work required, the preparation of design plans and specifications, and construction observation of the work required to rehabilitate the pipes. The estimated cost of the work to rehabilitate Paducah’s flood protection system is $5.2 million (based on the year 2000 construction costs).

Click Floodwall Powerpoint Presentation for a pdf version of the Powerpoint presentation about the history of the floodwall, current status of floodwall repairs, and the quest for Paducah to get federal funding for repairs.  City Engineer, Rick Murphy, made the presentation to the Commission at its October 7, 2008 meeting.  Click Video to watch the presentation.