Project Update: March 2024
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on March 5 shared their progress of the Upper Turkey Creek Project with staff leaders from the City, Johnson County, and the Merriam Drainage District.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers presented several high-level solutions to address the threat of flooding along Turkey Creek. These solutions have varying levels of impact on this area, ranging from 8- to 13-foot flood walls, levees, and/or removing properties in and around downtown Merriam.
At this point, there’s been no determination of any single best option or the cost of each solution. The Army Corps will continue to dive into this information to learn more about the proposals and costs.
The Merriam City Council and Merriam Drainage District are committed to identifying the best option that protects properties near the creek from flooding, eliminates the need for local businesses to pay for flood insurance, and frees up property owners to reinvest in properties currently located in Historic Downtown.
Once more information is available and there are decisions to be made, we plan to hold a public meeting to share these potential solutions with the public and local business owners.
Please continue to visit this website to stay informed of any new updates. The Merriam City Council meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in City Hall. The Merriam Drainage District meets at 7 p.m. at Higdon & Hale (6310 Lamar Ave #110, Overland Park) on the first Monday of each month.
June 2022
The first steps are underway in reducing flood risk in downtown Merriam!
In June 2022, City Councilmembers approve a design agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The agreement was signed by Mayor Bob Pape and Col. Travis Rayfield to start the design phase of the Upper Turkey Creek Flood Risk Reduction Project, including preconstruction and engineering design.
Over the next three to four years, the Corps will determine how to best construct flood walls and levees along two miles of Turkey Creek, from Shawnee Mission Parkway to Merriam Drive.
We'll work closely with our partners at Johnson County and the Corps on the next steps and keep you informed of project happenings.
How We Got Here
Recent Documents
April 2022 - Kickoff Presentation(PDF, 13MB)
June 2022 - UTC Design Agreement(PDF, 626KB)
2015 Upper Turkey Creek Study
Civil Works Review Board Presentation(PDF, 3MB)
Upper Turkey Creek Chiefs Report(PDF, 311KB)
Upper Turkey Creek Study(PDF, 10MB)
2015 Upper Turkey Creek drone video.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will the design process take?
It can take up to two years to design the Upper Turkey Creek project.
When will construction start?
We expect a possible 2026-2027 construction start date.
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