Corps awards contract to repair Pierce levee

OMAHA, NE -- A northeast Nebraska levee damaged by March flooding is set to be repaired.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded a $183,000 construction contract Wednesday to repair the damages to the North Branch Elkhorn River levee system near Pierce.

The Pierce levee system is about 2.5 miles long, running along the northern and western boundary of the city. This system provides flood protection for over 550 structures and approximately 1,100 people.

“This is the first of full rehabilitation projects to begin addressing damages to the smaller tributary systems throughout the Omaha District Area of Responsibility that were damaged during the 2019 spring flooding,” said Jeff Bohlken, Program Manager for the Omaha District Systems Restoration Team. “However, we are anticipating that we will have 5-10 more of the tributary projects ready for award within the next two months to continue these repair efforts.”

The contract was awarded to Niewohner Construction of Onawa, Iowa. The construction is expected to be completed in 60 days. The repairs will restore the levee system to its pre-flood condition.

For regular updates on the repair efforts to flood control structures in the Missouri River Basin, visit the Omaha District’s System Restoration web page at: https://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/Omaha-District-System-Restoration-Team/.