DE SOTO, MO – This week, Congressman Jason Smith announced that the Corps of Engineers, after initially cutting the project, will investigate the cause of frequent flooding along Joachim Creek in De Soto.
“The creek floods after just a few inches of rain and is a constant threat to local residents and their property,” said Congressman Smith. “I’m glad I was able to sit down with the Corps and urge them to get to the root of the problem. This project is an investment in our area that will hopefully save the city and local residents money in clean-up costs down the road.”
Jefferson County residents organized the Citizens Committee for Flood Relief, a group of 13 people who have been working with County, State and Federal government officials over the past year to get the flood study for Joachim Creek secured.
“When folks from Jefferson County came to me for help, I sat down with the St. Louis Corps of Engineers and told them how important this flood study was to the De Soto community,” said Congressman Smith.
Following Congressman Smith’s meeting with the St. Louis Corps of Engineers, the Corps reversed its original decision to not fund the flood study, and decided to investigate the cause of floods affecting De Soto and the surrounding areas.
“There is so much potential for growth,” said Susan Liley from the Citizens Committee for Flood Relief. “With De Soto's historical assets, I feel we can be a town that people want to visit and enjoy; however, first our flooding must be fixed.”
According to a survey conducted by the Citizens Committee for Flood Relief, an estimated 185 people live in the area impacted by Joachim Creek floods with 114 of the residents classified as disabled or elderly.
When Paula Arbuthnot, a representative from the Citizens Committee for Flood Relief, was informed the flood study had been green lighted, she said, “Praise the Lord and Congressman Jason Smith.”
The Corps estimates the study will begin in early 2018 and will take about a year to complete.
