Press Release

HAMMOND, Indiana (September 29, 2009) – Governor Mitch Daniels, Congressman Pete Visclosky and federal and local officials today launched the final stage of construction of the Little Calumet River project that will protect thousands of homes and businesses in Gary, Griffith, Hammond, Highland and Munster.

“Residents of Northwest Indiana have been exposed to disastrous flooding here for far too many years. I’ve been determined to see this menace removed once and for all, and today the finish line has finally come into view,” Daniels said at a groundbreaking ceremony for the final stage of the project.

Presidential disaster declarations were made following four severe weather incidents that caused widespread flooding in portions of Lake County between summer 2007 and spring 2009. More than 35,000 applications resulted in $61 million in federal public and individual assistance to Lake and nearby counties as a result of damage. Among the most severe recent flooding incidents in the Little Calumet River project area was in September 2008 when remnants of Hurricane Ike dumped as much as 10 inches of rain.

The 22-mile flood project includes federal levees and flood walls as well as 17 miles of hiking trails and the preservation of over 550 acres of wetlands.

The state’s current budget includes $14 million for the completion of the project, scheduled for December 2010. Since Daniels took office in 2005, the state has contributed $30 million to the project, more state funds than were spent in all previous combined years of state funding for the project.

The state's contributions since 2005 also have included $4 million from the general fund, $6 million from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, and $6 million from Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority funds.

The final stage of the Little Calumet River flood control project includes about 8,600 lineal feet of earthen levee, 780 feet of sheet pile wall, 7,762 feet of concrete and sheet pile floodwall and other features. The Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission and Army Corps of Engineers are overseeing the work.

The project is designed to provide 200-year flood protection to about 9,500 residences and homes in the Northwest Indiana communities of Gary, Griffith, Hammond, Highland and Munster.

Congressman Peter J Visclosky, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Chicago District Commander Col. Vincent Quarles, State Representative Mara Candelaria-Reardon and State Senator Frank Mrvan participated in today’s groundbreaking event.

Source: Office of the Governor