The City of Memphis Public Works Division maintains a Flood Control Emergency Section to operate and maintain facilities as necessary to protect the City of Memphis from damage caused by floods. Memphis maintains a storm sewer system completely separate from the sanitary sewage system. The flood control system includes seven major flood pumping stations in conjunction with twenty miles of earth levees, two miles of concrete floodwalls, thirty floodgates, and six hundred and forty-three acres of reservoirs. Much of the construction of the flood protection system was completed from 1940 through 1964 as a result of the major flooding that occurred in 1937.
LEVEES, PUMP STATIONS, AND FLOODWALLS
During rainfall events, the stormwater runoff flows to the Mississippi via the Wolf River, the Wolf River Lagoon, and Nonconnah Creek. However, when the rivers have a high water level the levees may be closed so runoff must be pumped over the height of the levee system to be discharged directly to the receiving stream. During flood events, City staff are on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week until flood waters recede.
USEFUL LINKS
WASTEWATER TREATMENT
MAINTENANCE & INSPECTIONS
FLOOD CONTROL
LIFT STATIONS
INDUSTRIAL MONITORING
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
SARP10
FOG
CONTACT INFORMATION
125 N. Main Street – Room #620
Memphis, TN 38103
OFFICE:901-636-6762
FAX:901-636-7116
EMAIL: pubworks@memphistn.gov