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 floodwall was constructed between August 1939 and July 1949.  The City took over operation and maintenance of the floodwall from the Corps of Engineers in 1950.  The floodwall provides a level of protection equal to the record 1937 flood plus three feet.  The floodwall protects and minimizes the flood risk for 11,000 acres and more than 20,000 people.

Floodwall Presentation from June 28, 2011 Commission Meeting >>     This is a 20 minute presentation by City Engineer-Public Works Director Rick Murphy about the 2011 Ohio River flooding and how the City of Paducah floodwall protects an estimated $1.2 billion in assets.   

Floodwall Renovation 

Feasibility Report:  On November 8, 2010 the Corps of Engineers held a public meeting regarding the feasibility study for the rehabilitation of the floodwall including the pumps.  --News Release--     --Video of Meeting--    --Slide Presentation--     The Corps recommends upgrades including a new pump plant at station 111+67a (North 8th Street behind Smoke Shop) and a permanent discharge pipe to be installed under the road at station 19+11b (2049 4th Street, Woodward Hollow).  The total estimated cost for the upgrades and rehabilitation to items such as pumps and gates totals $18,728,374.  Upon approval and appropriation, the projects would be cost-shared with the government.  In other words, the federal government will pay 65% with the City paying 35% of the project costs.

The estimated timeline for the feasibility report and floodwall upgrades is as follows:  1)Public and Corps of Engineers headquarters review of report through November 2010; 2) Comments incorporated in report; 3) Chief's report in July 2011.  Requirements include the approval from the Assistant Secretary of the Army, the authorization of the final design and construction, and the funding appropriations.  Upon receiving the funding, the design period is approximately 12-15 months.

Corrugated Metal Pipes:  The corrugated metal pipes (CMPs) under Paducah’s floodwall were the first elements installed when the floodwall was constructed between 1939 and 1949.  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. 

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 included 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 pipes were rehabilitated through the slip-lining process with the project completed in January 2010.  37 out of the 60 pipes in the floodwall were slip-lined. 

Click Floodwall Powerpoint Presentation for a pdf version of the Powerpoint presentation about the history of the floodwall, 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.