The flood of 1937 inundated New Albany, as the Ohio River rose to 460 feet above sea level according to Terry Sullivan.

Sullivan, a structural engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, spent Wednesday inspecting the city’s floodwall with his crew and officials from New Albany Flood Control.

Their mission, which began Monday and will likely end today, is to find chinks in the levee’s armor so the destruction that followed the killer flood 71 years ago can be avoided, if at all possible.

“We’re looking for any kind of evidence that there’s been movement of the walls, or damage or slippage,” Sullivan said.

“If we see structural, mechanical, electrical or foundation issues that need to be addressed, we are going to put it in our inspection report and New Albany has to make those repairs or updates.”

New Albany’s floodwall was designed by the Corps in the 1940s and finished around 1953. Its blueprint is based on the 1937 flood, and it hasn’t been conquered though past rain events tested its fortitude.

But the periodic inspections performed by the Corps prove the government isn’t taking anything for granted, especially following the levee failures in New Orleans due to Hurricane Katrina.

“It probably hasn’t been tested the way the flood (levees) in New Orleans were tested in 2005,” said Sullivan, who has spent much time analyzing New Orleans’ levees.

Engineers from the Corps team up with city inspectors to examine the wall each year, but the periodic inspection is more detailed and usually happens every five years, according to Sullivan.

Unlike New Orleans, New Albany is above sea level but the crew still inspects as many feet of the wall as possible, including the pump stations which usher excess water out of the city.

But no matter how secure a levee may be, there’s no foolproof system that can keep a city entirely safe.

“That’s the silver lining of a levee that’s in good shape. They give you a measure of protection and time to prepare,” said Carol Labashosky, public affairs specialist with the Corps.

“We can’t eliminate flooding. There’s a lot of assumption that if you have a levee, then you’re safe. What we try to do is reduce the risk.”

The Corps will provide city officials with an oral report on their initial findings before leaving New Albany. An official analysis will later be sent detailing what repairs are needed.

The city owns the wall and therefore is responsible for upgrades and maintenance.

“Overall from a structural point of view, [the flood wall] is in pretty good shape,” Sullivan said. “There are some areas that need some maintenance but that’s not atypical. New Albany certainly isn’t lagging as far as that goes.”

But repairs have to be paid for, and Mayor Doug England said the city is prepared for whatever is needed.

A portion of the property taxes paid by New Albany residents is reserved for flood control, which England said will be readily available to keep the city as safe as possible.

“We will do whatever it takes to keep it maintained,” he said.

England doesn’t assume credit for the levee’s condition, saying past mayors deserve to be recognized as well for keeping it up to par.

“The two big reasons are that it was built right and it has been maintained properly,” he said.

England remembers his first term as mayor, beginning in 1992, when no one mentioned the flood wall. He said like the Corps, residents worry more about flood protection in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

England believes the city can feel safe with the floodwall protecting it.

“It’s a compliment to the city of New Albany’s leadership,” he said.



Past flood levels of the Ohio River

• 1937: 460 feet above sea level

• 1964: 447.5 feet above sea level

• 1997: 443.5 feet above sea level

— Corps of Engineers



Waterwatch

• Waterwatch is a Web site that tracks flooding conditions across the nation, including Indiana. Visit it at water.usgs.gov.