MEMPHIS DISTRICT SHARES FLOOD-FIGHT EXPERIENCE WITH DUTCH VISITORS

BY SUE CASSEAU, St. Louis District

Water management experts from the Netherlands visited the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Memphis District during the first week in March 2019 to collect information on how USACE water management systems and partner agencies work together during a flood fight.

USACE and the Rijkswaterstaat (the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management of the Netherlands) have a memorandum of understanding to exchange water management information and experiences to benefit both countries.

The agreement was the basis for an international flood response exercise held in the Netherlands in 2016, where USACE invited its Dutch counterparts of Rijkswaterstaat and the Regional Water Authorities to the United States to observe USACE flood-fighting techniques. This, in turn, prompted the Dutch delegation’s visit to Memphis during the spring high water. The delegation consisted of seven subject-matter experts in crisis management, levee inspection, and levee engineering.

The group examines a sand boil.

MVD Photo

The Dutch contingent toured three of the eight areas involved in the Phase II flood fight with Memphis District Levee Safety Program Manager Nick Bidlack and Geotechnical Chief Cory Williams as their guides. Bidlack and Williams explained the system design and decision-making processes that are producing successful results during this current high-water event.

“We are 5,000 miles apart with comparable challenges and we’ve arrived at similar solutions by very different routes,” Williams said.

According to members of the Dutch delegation, the many miles of levees, dikes, and seawalls in the Netherlands helped the public develop and maintain a high level of levee awareness and everyone has a personal lifetime commitment to it.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for real-life observations of the processes and practices used here in Memphis to build on our own experiences and skills,” said Bart Vonk of the Rijkswaterstaat.

USACE’s Bidlack said, “We are all very passionate about protecting our people, and it was great to know that our counterparts around the world also take this government responsibility so very personally.”

Memphis District Commander Col. Mike Ellicott expressed his support for the international visit by stating, “This sharing of knowledge and skills builds continued confidence that the very best in systems and resources are used in the protection of the people in both our nations … The Memphis District is proud to share the many successes we’ve achieved in the district, and we look forward to the continued study and dialogue with these very qualified peers.”