Leavenworth Times
Posted Jun 29, 2011 @ 02:03 PM
Fort Leavenworth, Kan. —
Fort Leavenworth officials confirmed Wednesday that the swollen Missouri River breached a levee at the post’s Sherman Army Airfield that morning.
“Risings levels of the Missouri River caused water to undercut the Union Pacific Railroad tracks northwest of Sherman Army Airfield here, causing the area to flood,” fort spokesperson Becky Steed said in a release.
The breach began at about 6:30 Wednesday morning, as water began to erode earthworks placed to reinforce the levee. As of 10 a.m., the breach was measured to be 17 feet wide and two feet deep.
Steed said in the release that the airfield was the only area of the fort said to be susceptible to flooding under the current projections. Because of the levee system’s design, the air field is a sort of “bowl” which will fill up with water as flooding continues.
Water is said to have reached the hangers at the facility, some housing planes owned by active-duty military assigned to the fort and others, through a special agreement with the city of Leavenworth, open for civilian use.
Airfield officials evacuated essential equipment, including planes, starting June 10.
http://www.leavenworthtimes.com/newsnow/x381617294/Fort-closes-airfield-following-levee-breach
