Vicksburg, MS — USACE turns to Snap-Tite to extend levee life

U.S. Army Engineers Take Proactive Approach to Levee Repair

BACKGROUND
Levees form a critical part of the United States infrastructure as past flooding has proven. Their maintenance and repair is held to rigorous standards as a primary protection to citizens and property in the event of a natural disaster. For local and federal agencies, keeping the nation’s estimated 100,000 miles of aging levee systems from failing is a major undertaking. “Many of our flood control structures and pipes are 40 to 50 years old and they are exceeding their useful life,” said Neal Lewis, an engineer with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). “We are lining (drainage) pipes in an effort to extend the life cycles of our existing structures.” In many cases, the corrugated metal pipes (CMPs) within the levee systems are corroded and rapidly deteriorating. Deteriorated drainage pipes can lead to seepage through the levee, pipe collapse and a potential breach of the levee system. “CMPs will rust over time,” said Lewis. “Coatings applied to protect them when they were constructed deteriorate, leaving the metal exposed to the environment. Storm water runoff in agricultural areas tends to be more corrosive, which shortens the lifespan of CMPs.” Snap-Tite offers a solution.

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