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the potential problem. Although significant freeboard wa~ built into the north cmd south levees upstream of both bridges the problem should be addressed. The second effect is the reduction of grade for interior drainage. Some interior drainage outfall channels have of necessity been rerouted to obtain grade to the river. Streambank Erosion Along the Arkansas River The Arkansas River has eroded suffficiently to reach the toe of the south bank levee at the west end of the Project several times since constmction. The District has successfully repaired the damage and restored the levee toe. This problem reoccurred during June 1994 when the river eroded into the toe of the levee approximately 1/2 mile from the beginning of the levee west of Las Animas. Some of the jacks installed for levee protection were washed out. The District is fighting this streambank erosion and has restored the levee toe but another section downstream is being threatened. A large scale, vigorous program of streambank stabilization and levee toe protection will be necessary to maintain the integrity of the levee at the critically important west end. A separate erosion problem has developed at the west end of the Pn~iect where the Consolidated Canal river return outlet channel has eroded into the toe of the levee. This problem should also be addressed in a vigorous manner to maintain the integrity of the levee. These major needs for streambank and levee protection to maintain the integrity of the Project are clearly beyond the financial capability of the District. FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT Proiect Description Because of the history of floods and potential of future floods, officials from the City of Las Animas, Bent County, and the Arkansas River Conservancy District requested that the Corps investigate and recommend a course of action to alleviate flood problems at Las Animas. Subsequent Corps investigations and studies resulkd in the construction of the Las Animas Flood Control Project (Project) which was completed June 17, 1978. The Project's general features are shown on Figure I (Plate I, titled Las Animas Flood Control Project, dated August ] 978 from the Corps' February 1979 Operation and Maintenance Manual). The Project consists of the following features: * A right bank levee (the main levee) 9.35 miles long on the south bank of the Arkansas River protects the City and adjoining agricultural lands; * A left bank levee 1.02 miles long on the north bank of the Arkansas River protects a 5