New flood control plan for Pearl River would be far less expensive

Pam Dankins, Mississippi Clarion Ledger
·3 min read

The Rankin Hinds Pearl River Flood Control and Drainage District announced Tuesday that the organization supports the June release and publication of a new plan for flood control in Jackson.

The June 7 plan is the Pearl River Basin Mississippi Federal Flood Risk Management Project.

Last week, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reported the One Lake Proposal would cost between $1 billion and $2.1 billion to construct but is “not justified under the traditional USACE benefit-cost analysis." So alternative proposals were formed, which were essentially a scaled-back plan of One Lake, versions of which have been considered for decades.

This June plan would be far less expensive than previous proposals.

The flood control and drainage district said the district and its board members "fully support" "Alternative D, CTO with new weir," as the selected plan for the Pearl River Basin Flood Risk Management Project.

According to officials, the plan Alternative D is, in effect, the One Lake Proposal with enhancements to avoid and reduce impacts on environmentally sensitive areas within the Jackson Metropolitan Area and has relocated the weir structure (a low-head dam or barrier designed to alter a river) to a point almost two miles upstream of the previous proposed location to avoid impacts in Conway Slough in Rankin County and Lynch Creek in Hinds County.

A new plan called Alternative D would create a smaller One Lake and result in reduced cost but help flood control in Jackson.
A new plan called Alternative D would create a smaller One Lake and result in reduced cost but help flood control in Jackson.

"Alternative D proposed by the (Draft Environmental Impact Statement) is truly a consensus solution that addresses the needs of the Jackson Metropolitan Area while providing benefits for near long-term improvement for water supply, recreation, and public access as well as potential revitalization opportunities for investment in the City of Jackson and the surrounding areas within the metropolitan area," the district stated in a Tuesday press release.

More on: 'One Lake' is the latest plan to reduce Jackson-area Pearl River flooding. Will it happen?

According to the release, officials said these changes in the Alternative D plan have resulted in reduced negative potential impacts throughout the project area while maintaining a substantial level of flood risk benefits for the people of the Jackson Metro.

Importantly, this process has also reduced the project’s cost to a scale consistent with Rankin Hinds’ projections. The Alternative D plan's estimated project first cost ranges between a low of $487 million to a high of $655 million, according to the reports.

The district officials said Alternative D provides meaningful community benefits to the City of Jackson through addressing environmental justice sensitivity, more public access to the river and enhancements for the river, future alternative water supply for Jackson and a combination of alternatives that will protect residents in more localized areas such as Canton Club Circle and Duttoville.

More on: Pearl River discussion pivots to preventing Jackson flooding

Before completion of the final Environmental Impact Statement this fall, the district said the flooding issues in the environmental justice communities such as Duttoville and Canton Club will be "fully addressed."

"The Flood Control District is appreciative of the efforts of Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Mr. Michael Connor, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for engaging in a collaborative and productive process to better define and enhance a consensus flood control solution for the Jackson metropolitan area," a statement from the news release announced.

Flooding below the Ross Barnett Reservoir, shown in January of 2023, has been an issue for decades, prompting flood control plans. A new plan was endorsed this week, which could help Jackson and come at less expense.
Flooding below the Ross Barnett Reservoir, shown in January of 2023, has been an issue for decades, prompting flood control plans. A new plan was endorsed this week, which could help Jackson and come at less expense.

The Corps announced public meetings for comment at the following locations:

  • Wednesday, July 10 — 2 p.m. at Mississippi Public Broadcasting Auditorium, 3825 Ridgewood Road, Jackson

  • Wednesday, July 10 — 6 p.m. at Mississippi Trade Mart, 1200 Mississippi St., Jackson

  • Thursday, July 11 — 11 a.m. at Slidell Municipal Auditorium, 2056 2nd St., Slidell, LA

  • Thursday, July 11 — 6 p.m. at Monticello Civic Center, 125 E Broad St., Monticello, MS

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: One Lake Pearl River flood control project latest plan for Jackson MS