The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the city of North Adams hosted a public listening session on Nov. 2 on the Corps’ plans to reduce flood risks from the Hoosic River to the city’s community and its surrounding areas. The meeting was held in person at North Adams City Hall and over Zoom.
The USACE first constructed flood protection infrastructure along the Hoosic River’s North Branch between 1950 and 1961. The North Adams Local Protection Project included the construction of a concrete floodwall, channel, and weir, as well as the reconstruction and replacement of several dams, according to USACE’s New England District website.
On Aug. 25, 2023, the Corps initiated its three-year flood risk management feasibility project to study and overhaul the outdated flood defenses in North Adams. According to Hoosic River Revival, a volunteer organization, the project’s goal is to “reduce flood risk to the North Adams community by rehabilitating, replacing, or removing aging flood risk management infrastructure, while leveraging opportunities for aquatic ecosystem restoration and community recreation.” The Corps will examine flood risk areas that extend…
