2011 Missouri River Flood

Citizens Call On Army Corps To Better Manage River
Air Date: 11/02/2011

By Kealey Bultena

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has no plans to change its strategy for regulating the Missouri River next year, despite this summer’s unprecedented flooding. That is not sitting well with people whose homes were destroyed by months of flooding. 

About 200 people turned out to hear The Army Corps’ 2012 Missouri River management plan in Pierre. Citizens publicly question the Corps’ decision to keep the strategy as-is; without change, they fear mismanagement of the river’s flow and even more devastating flooding.

Mayors from Pierre and Fort Pierre say the Army Corps has special interests competing against flood control, and that leaves property owners vulnerable. They acknowledge regulating the Mighty Mo is a complicated task, but city officials, state leaders, and more than a dozen property owners say the Army Corps needs to do a better job.

Jody Farhat with the Corps tells residents that results from an internal review of 2011’s decisions could alter future releases. She says next year’s snowpack and precipitation could change the plan.