Contacts: Patricia Graesser, Corps of Engineers (206) 764-3750, Linda Reed, City of Clark Fork (208) 266-1373

SEATTLE -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the City of Clark Fork, Idaho, are conducting repair work over the next few weeks on a section of the Clark Fork levee that was damaged in 2006 flooding. Contractors began moving equipment on site Aug.18.

The flood damaged 1,200 linear feet of the levee slope protection and toe. Workers will excavate the gravel along the toe of the repair and place riprap. Construction is estimated to cost $244,000 and is expected to take about three weeks.

The public also needs to be aware, for their safety, that there will be increased truck traffic within Clark Fork particularly in the area of Main Street and Ninth Avenue.

Public Law 84-99 enables the Corps to assist state and local authorities in flood fight activities and cost share in the repair of flood protection structures.

The Lightning Creek levee is one of more than 50 levees damaged in the region during recent flooding throughout the region. Levee repairs began last year in western Washington counties, and repairs in these areas will continue through this year and into 2009.