2010 Metro Mitigation Plan

property holdings and over 200 companies employing over 8,000 people. A 3-mile long
levee, also built in the early 1970's, protects the Metro Center area from flooding.
When the levee was built, it was
considered sufficient to protect the
development from major floods.
However, revised flood projections
and deterioration of the levee over
time have increased the risk of
flooding. Stream bank erosion is
undermining the levee's foundation
and reducing its reliability. Trees
and their root systems also
compromised the integrity of the
structure
In 1999, the U.S. Army Corps of Figure 4-6. Metro Center Levee Rehabilitation
Engineers determined that the
levee would have to be raised to meet new flood-control standards. The levee was raised and
reconstructed by adding fill dirt and approximately 600 feet of floodwall in two sections
(Figure 4-6). The project also improved the reliability of the interior drainage system for
Metro Center. Subsequent inspection of the project in 2007 revealed additional deficiencies
such as an encroachment by Fox News, excessive vegetation, and a low area in the levee that
would prevent it from providing the protection up to the 500 year flood. Metro Nashville and
the US Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District have agreed to continue with the project
to address all deficiencies. Completion of this work will allow the levee to be placed into the
Federal Rehabilitation and Inspection Program under Public Law 84-99. This will allow for
federal funds to be used to fix any damage to the levee as the result of a natural disaster.
Fixing the deficiencies will also allow the levee to be certified under the Federal Emergency
Management Agency National Flood Insurance Program.
The Nashville Parks Department worked with the Corps of Engineers on improvements to the
levee trail, which became part of a large greenway system. A greenway path was added atop
the levee, providing a recreational amenity for employees in MetroCenter. Trailheads with
parking were added for others who wish to use the site.
Opryland Levee
The Opryland levee on the Cumberland River located approximately 2.1 miles downstream of
Briley Parkway meets the FEMA requirements of having a minimum of three feet of vertical
distance above the 100-year flood to be considered a safe flood protection structure.
Past Occurrences
There have been 55 known dam failures that caused the release of water in the State of
Tennessee. An additional 21 dams have had partial failures, which could have resulted in
release of floodwaters if remedial action not been taken. Dam failures that have occurred in
Davidson County are presented in Appendix B.
Metropolitan Nashville - Davidson County
Hazard Identification
Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Page 4-13
April 2010