On February 7, 2013, from 5pm-7pm, the Indianapolis Department of Public Works, together with the US Army Corps of Engineers (Louisville District) held a public open house regarding the ongoing Indy North Levee project at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, located at 6050 N. Meridian. Representatives from the Department of Public Works and the Corps of Engineers were there to give information and answer questions regarding "Phase IIIB" of the Flood Damage Reduction Project. The intention of this project is to eventually provide "300 Year" flood protection from the White River to areas that are now considered at risk of flooding.

The location of this stage of the project will be along the White River, between Kessler Boulevard on the north, and the Riviera Club on the south. The earthen levee will be 11 feet high, 75 feet wide, with a 12 foot crown. The project will have negligible effect on traffic in the area during construction. In some instances, this will be replacing inadequate levees which are already existing. Diagrams showing the visible height of the levee at various addresses along its path were on display.

This project has met with some controversy because of the perceived lack of protection, and possible increased chance of flooding, to the Rocky Ripple neighborhood. Carol Labashosky of the Corps of Engineers addressed these concerns for residents of Rocky Ripple who still worry about the impact of this project. She stressed that this is an ongoing project of several phases with the end goal of flood protection for the entire affected area, including Rocky Ripple. Flood protection won't be fully realized until the levee is hydraulically connected to high ground at both ends. It is acknowledged that it will be some time in the future before this goal can be achieved. Availability of funding was cited as one of the reasons for the slow pace of the project.

Residents of Rocky Ripple also expressed their concern that the ongoing construction may increase the chance of severe flooding in their neighborhood. By law, the Corps of Engineers cannot willingly do anything that would have a negative impact on the status quo of the neighborhood's current state. This was communicated to the residents, but they still seemed skeptical, citing a perceived increase in flooding in recent years which they believe may have been caused by various other unrelated constructions which have taken place upstream. Ms. Labashosky acknowledged that while it may be possible unrelated construction have affected floodwaters, she assured that the Corps of Engineers has taken every precaution to ensure their work has no negative impact on the neighborhood or the environment.

For up-to-date information about the ongoing Indy North Flood Damage Reduction Project, please visit bit.ly/indynorth [as of press time this link was not functional]. The Indianapolis Department of Public Works levee info can be found at www.indy.gov/egov/city/dpw/rebuildindy/projects/pages/indianapolisnorthleveeproject.aspx.