Teams Conduct Turkey Creek Flood-Fighting Exercise

Teams Conduct Turkey Creek Flood-Fighting Exercise

Published on May 06, 2025

Teams from across the Unified Government (UG) came together last week, for a hands-on flood-fighting exercise focused on the Turkey Creek Flood Protection System. Hosted by Environmental Services Stormwater Engineer Sarah White, the training provided an opportunity to practice response tactics ahead of the spring and summer storm seasons.

The event began with a tabletop exercise at the Environmental Services Campus, where participants reviewed mock flood scenarios and discussed potential responses. Following the tabletop portion, crews met at the Mill Street Bridge near Southwest Boulevard to conduct a field exercise. Teams worked together to inspect, test, and review the flood protection measures in place along the Mill Street Bridge before moving on to the Turkey Creek Tunnel.

The Turkey Creek Tunnel plays a critical role in protecting the surrounding community during major storm events. Originally constructed between 1918 and 1920, the tunnel was bored through the Greystone Heights bluff to create a more direct and controlled path for Turkey Creek to reach the Kansas River. Modern upgrades have expanded the system's capacity to handle 18,000 to 20,000 cubic feet of water per second - roughly the daily flow of the Missouri River. The tunnel significantly reduces surface flooding and protects vital infrastructure by safely diverting floodwaters beneath downtown streets, railroads, and businesses.

Representatives from the Environmental Services and Street Maintenance divisions, along with the UG's Emergency Management Department team, participated.

"This exercise was an important opportunity to put our plans into action and make sure that our teams are prepared for whatever the season brings," said Sarah White, Environmental Services Stormwater Engineer. "Regular training like this helps us stay sharp and ready to respond when it matters most."

After completing the field exercise, teams returned to the Environmental Services Campus for an after-action review, where they discussed lessons learned, identified strengths, and outlined potential improvements to flood response procedures.

The Importance of Turkey Creek Flood Protection
Turkey Creek, which runs through Johnson and Wyandotte counties before meeting the Kansas River near downtown Kansas City, Kansas, has long posed a flood risk to the area. Turkey Creek has been at the center of major disasters, including the Great Floods of 1844, 1951, and 1993. Over the past century, these events caused extensive damage to businesses, homes, and infrastructure, prompting major federal, state, and local flood control investments.

Today, the Turkey Creek Flood Protection System, including the tunnel under Interstate 35 and expanded flood channels, is critical in managing heavy stormwater flows and protecting the community from major flooding events.

During the exercise, teams also heard firsthand from a local business owner about past floods' devastating impacts on businesses along the Turkey Creek corridor, further emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong, coordinated flood response.

"Proactive planning makes all the difference when responding to severe weather events," said Matt May, Emergency Management Director. "By working together now, we can react faster, communicate better, and ultimately protect more people and property during a flood."

Street Maintenance crews worked alongside stormwater and Environmental Services teams to assess equipment and practice flood-fighting techniques.

The Turkey Creek Flood-Fighting Exercise is part of Environmental Services' ongoing commitment to proactive flood management, public safety, and infrastructure resilience. View photos from the training below:

• Community Safety
• Environment
• Infrastructure
• Public Works
• Stormwater