Branson takes first steps toward $10M flood wall

Branson is taking initial actions leading to a planned $10 million flood wall around the city’s Compton Sewer Treatment Plant.

After last year purchasing an Aqua Dam — a trademarked expandable rubber membrane that can be filled with water — for $230,000, the city invested $5,000 to recently complete the widening of the berm surrounding the facility, said Mike Ray, Branson’s utilities director. The berm is essentially a protective mound of earth.

Ray said the berm expansion allows workers to more efficiently deploy the dam in case of a flood. City of Branson spokeswoman Melody Pettit said the dam sits on top of the berm, giving the plant extra protection from floods.

“It is imperative we do what we can to protect the city’s critical treatment infrastructure and facilities,” Ray said in a news release. “The three 100-year floods we’ve had in the last three years have taken their toll, but with these new improvements, we will certainly be ready for the next one.”

Ray said the city next will facilitate the design of the flood wall, which would cost an estimated $250,000. The $10 million flood wall would protect the $80 million to $100 million treatment plant, he said.

During a trip to Washington, D.C., this week, Branson Mayor Karen Best is scheduled to participate March 15 in the Mayors’ Infrastructure Discussion at the White House. There, she plans to discuss President Donald Trump’s $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan, which could potentially leverage federal funds for the flood wall at the Compton plant in Branson.