USACE Levee Safety Program
Levee systems are part of our nation’s landscape and important to
communities because of the benefits they provide. For example, more than 13
million people live or work behind levees in the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers’ (USACE) Levee Safety Program. And, public and private property
worth more than one trillion dollars are behind these levees.
Through the Levee Safety Program, USACE partners with levee sponsors to manage more than 1,600 levees across the U.S. that help reduce flood risk to people, businesses, critical infrastructure and the environment.
USACE and levee sponsors work together to understand the benefits and risks associated with levees, build awareness among the public, fulfill daily responsibilities on levees, and take actions to manage the future performance of the levee.
The USACE Levee Safety Program serves as an organizing framework to improve consistency and coordination in how levee-related activities are implemented across USACE. Key program activities include levee inspections, risk assessments, and sharing levee information. These activities are intended to support defendable levee decisions and more aware communities and members of the public.
Through the Levee Safety Program, USACE partners with levee sponsors to manage more than 1,600 levees across the U.S. that help reduce flood risk to people, businesses, critical infrastructure and the environment.
USACE and levee sponsors work together to understand the benefits and risks associated with levees, build awareness among the public, fulfill daily responsibilities on levees, and take actions to manage the future performance of the levee.
The USACE Levee Safety Program serves as an organizing framework to improve consistency and coordination in how levee-related activities are implemented across USACE. Key program activities include levee inspections, risk assessments, and sharing levee information. These activities are intended to support defendable levee decisions and more aware communities and members of the public.
Living Behind a Levee
More
Information
Managing a Levee
Risk Assessments
Inspections
Flood
Preparedness
Preparedness
National Levee
Database (NLD)
Database (NLD)
USACE Levee
Safety Program
Safety Program
USACE District
Map
Map
Training
USACE
Publications
Publications
Risk Assessments and Inspections
Why Risk Assessments?
USACE performs risk assessments on levees to evaluate and understand the risk
associated with flooding and to determine the level of risk that the levees pose
to surrounding areas. Risk assessments help to identify vulnerabilities and
weaknesses in levee systems, assess the likelihood of levee failure during flood
events, and estimate the potential consequences and impacts of such
failures.
Risk assessments enable USACE and
Risk assessments enable USACE and
stakeholders to proactively manage and address potential flood risks and guide
decision-makers in making informed choices about levee infrastructure and flood
management strategies. The assessments also contribute to informed
decision-making processes regarding levee accreditation for the National Flood
Insurance Program, which ensures that the public is adequately protected and
insured against flood damages.
Risk Assessments
Why Inspections?
Flood risk and the condition of levees can change over time. Levees change over
time. Levee banks erode, closures rust, animals dig tunnels, and pumps wear out.
To ensure that levees work properly during a flood, constant watchfulness is
necessary. USACE regularly inspects levees as part of its Levee Safety Program.
These inspections help monitor the overall condition of the levees, find
problems or weaknesses, make sure necessary maintenance work is being done,
determine if they qualify for federal assistance in repairing them (according to
P.L. 84-99), and provide information to the public who rely on these levees. The
inspection information is also used to assess the risk of flooding and make
decisions about whether the levees should be accredited for the National Flood
Insurance Program managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Levee Inspections
Levee Management
Sponsor Resources
Local sponsors are valued partners with USACE.
Together we strive to reduce the levee risks associated with flooding through risk-informed levee management.
Together we strive to reduce the levee risks associated with flooding through risk-informed levee management.
Operations and Maintenance
Regular operations and maintenance are crucial for the usefullness and lifespan
of levees and floodwalls. By practicing good operations and maintenance,
communities can enhance the reliability of levees and floodwalls, which can
reduce the risk of flooding.
Design and Construction
A risk-informed approach will be used for all dam and levee designs for new
projects, modifications, improvements, rehabilitation or repairs. Risk
assessments are the cornerstone for application of a risk-informed decision
making approach.
Other Resources
Levee Safety is a comprehensive program and integrates the knowledge and
expertise of other USACE divisions including Planning, Programs, Real Estate,
and Engineering and Construction
Federal Emergency Management Agency
FEMA Mission
FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during and after disasters.
FEMA Core Values
FEMA is a team of Federal leaders who support the people and communities of our
Nation by providing experience, perspective, and resources in emergency management.
Each of us finds strength and value from our role at FEMA, whether we are helping
others in the office or in the field. We live our core values of Compassion,
Fairness, Integrity, and Respect every day to help people and support the Nation’s
disaster and emergency management needs.
Homeowner Resources
Understand your
Risk
Risk
Prepare for a
Flood
Flood
Cost of Flooding
Find
Flood Insurance
Flood Insurance
Flood Maps
Risk Rating 2.0
Office of Insurance Advocacy
Sponsor Resources
National Flood
Insurance Program
(NFIP)
Insurance Program
(NFIP)
Office of Insurance
Advocacy
Advocacy
Risk Assessment
for NFIP
for NFIP
Criteria for
Accreditation
Accreditation
Risk Rating 2.0
Certification vs.
Accreditation
Accreditation
NFIP Fact Sheet
Community Rating
System
System