KC Water Unveils Indian Creek Flood Model

From Kansas City Water:

October 30, 2020

KC Water and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers unveiled the completed replica of Indian Creek.

The 65 foot long model of Indian Creek was built to help engineers better understand just how the water flows in that area and what causes it to flood. They unveiled the completed model to Kansas City Councilmember Andrea Bough and Mayor Pro-tem Kevin McManus, both representing the 6th District where Indian Creek flows.

“This is really impressive thing that we saw today. It’s going to help the 6th district and the city really in a variety of ways. First and foremost protecting people,” said Mayor Pro Tem Kevin McManus of the 6th District.

“I thought it was fascinating. You can see the drone pictures of the flood but this gives us an opportunity to talk with the experts in the water department to explain what actually is happening,” said Councilwoman Andrea Bough, 6th District At Large

In 2017, near 103rd and Wornall, Indian Creek experienced its highest flood on record. Businesses flooded, employees had to be rescued and property was destroyed by rising water. Eventually, the shopping complex that housed Coach’s Bar and Grill was demolished. Computer models, that engineers relied on, did not accurately calculate the potential flooding of Indian Creek. The data could not anticipate debris in the roadway or hidden areas under bridges. This large scale model does that.

Using aerial and land measurements, engineers designed the model to duplicate the measurements of the creek. Expert designers at Metropolitan Community College, cut out the foam boards to make the landscaping, the buildings and the homes surrounding Indian creek.

The model is housed inside a KC Water warehouse. The total cost was $400,000 divided between city PIAC funds and the Corps of Engineers.

This press release was produced by Kansas City Water. The views expressed here are the author’s own.