Watch CBS News

Flaws Found In South St. Paul Levee System

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers found significant problems with the levee system in South St. Paul during a recent inspection.

The Corps says the system received an overall rating of "unacceptable" due to problems that may prevent the system from working as designed during a flood.

The levee system protects about 500 acres of property on the southwest side of the Mississippi River. The Corps constructed the levees in the 1960s, but the city maintains them.

The city acknowledges the problems and has begun fixing them. City Engineer John Sachi says the city will continue to work with the Corps to identify problem areas.

The "unacceptable" rating means the levee system won't be eligible for federal assistance if it's damaged in a flood or storm.

(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.