Letter: Flood control plans aid area residents

Sunday, March 5, 2000 | 9:10 a.m.

The flood control facilities now in place are working very well. As devastating as last July's flood was, the drainage facilities and detention basins that were built helped protect our valley's families and businesses. If it weren't for the flood control facilities in place, the $20 million in damage suffered in Las Vegas could have exceeded $100 million.

For example, one flood channel filled with 7 feet of water in eight minutes, and a 50-acre detention basin filled to a depth of 23 feet, almost to the brim. Downstream from these facilities were a hospital, a fire station and residential areas, which previously had been subjected to repeated episodes of flooding following even minor storms.

Currently there are more than 40 flood control projects under construction that will be completed in the next two years, including the Charleston Underpass project. Numerous other projects are in various stages of engineering design.

The district has sought, and is continuing to seek, funding from the federal government and local developers to maximize the use of public and private dollars. Through these cooperative efforts, flood control facilities are being built years ahead of schedule.

All of these projects will provide flood protection for current residents as well as for future generations, and will pay for themselves by saving lives and protecting property. Recent storms only reinforce the need to build flood control facilities as quickly as possible to protect our community.

GALE FRASER II

General manager/chief engineer, Regional Flood Control District