Drainage improvements in southwestern Cape County completed

Just-finished work to clear more than 14 miles of drainage channels should provide more protection for some flood-prone areas in southwestern Cape Girardeau County and improve flow of waters farther downstream, according to a project update given to county commissioners Monday by the Little River Drainage District.

District officials said improvements are now complete on a system of drainage ditches running through a part of the county that during times of high water often became clogged with debris, causing flooded roads near Delta.

The project included clearing of trees and brush, dredging, leveling and other projects along a drainage channel that was formerly parts of Whitewater Creek.

Cape Girardeau County contributed $144,000 to the $1.6 million project in a partnership with the drainage district and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service, which provided the remainder of funds. Dustin Boatwright, assistant chief engineer for the district, said 38 landowners granted right of way along the area where improvements were made.

Boatwright said many of the landowners have never had the level of protection from floodwaters that the improvements will allow.

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