Flood control projects such as levees are part of the Nation\u2019s aging infrastructure. \u00a0After repeated flood damage and repairs, repairing in-place becomes challenging, especially with the possibility of more frequent or extreme flood events. Alternate approaches, such as levee setbacks, are being considered more frequently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As part of a recently initiated EWN research task (RT), a multi-agency kickoff workshop was conducted on June 27, 2022. The intent of the RT is to produce levee setback design guidance. The workshop brought together potential collaborators to identify levee setback opportunities and constraints, data sets, data gaps, and metrics for meaningfully quantifying ecosystem services that can result from levee setback projects. It featured subject matter experts who are actively conducting research and identifying ways to advance levee setback projects in the US mid-west region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The multiagency partner group came together to consider and identify opportunities for using EWN principles to support the resilience of the flood risk management, navigation, and ecosystem restoration missions associated with levee setbacks. \u00a0The workshop was conducted and facilitated by the USACE\u2019s EWN staff. \u00a0Workshop participants included a group of USACE and ERDC personnel, resource managers, scientists, engineers, and stakeholders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The goal of the workshop was to gather potential USACE collaborators to identify how further research can help promote the increased use of levee setbacks to achieve USACE mission objectives. A pre-workshop questionnaire was completed by participants, allowing for a streamlined, efficient workshop. Workshop participants also took time to identify and align complimentary research and monitoring programs that can be synergized so that all partners can synchronize and leverage each other\u2019s efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n