History of Flood Protection Levee

The flood of 1951 affected about 50% of the residential area of Salina. More than 3,000 residences, 122 commercial firms, 2 schools and 3 churches were inundated. Approximately 13,500 persons were evacuated. In the previous 50 years, Salina had been subject to some 40 or 50 periods of high water, including 6 major floods. The flood of 1951 provided the impetus for the construction of the City’s present flood protection system.

The flood protection system, that was many years in the planning and construction, was completed in 1961. It is designed to protect the City from twice the volume of flood water which occurred during 1951. It was built by the Corps of Engineers at a cost in excess of $6,000,000, approximately $2.3 million in local funds and the balance Federal. The project included 17.1 miles of levee, 12.2 miles of channel change, replacement of 12 bridges, and thousands of acres of land involved in right-of-way easements. An additional 4 miles of levee was added in later years by the City of Salina bringing the total number of levee miles to 21.

The function of the Flood Control Division is to maintain, patrol and keep in good repair at all times the flood levee, including the slopes and the driving surfaces, gates, pumps and related equipment that comprise the flood protection system for the City of Salina. The Division has been repeatedly commended by the Corps of Engineers for the excellent condition of the system. The Flood Control Division also maintains storm water detention ponds owned by the City in various residential areas.

Flood Website Map

Flood Website Map