Portland Metro Levee Safety Engineering Studies for FEMA Accreditation, Portland, Oregon 
The Urban Flood Safety and Water Quality District (UFSWQD) 
oversees 27 miles of levees along the Columbia River, from St. Johns to Troutdale. These vital structures protect communities from flooding, safeguarding homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure. ​To ensure the long-term safety and resilience of the Portland Metro levee system, CCI-LT was retained by UFSWQD to provide geotechnical engineering services in support of FEMA levee accreditation.

CCI-LT was responsible for leading the levee safety engineering and encroachment studies. The work was planned and executed over several phases to accommodate public involvement and funding strategies. Our scope of services included a project archive review and data gap study to identify existing information that could satisfy the accreditation requirements; development and execution of a large-scale subsurface investigation plan to collect the required data for the levee embankments and foundations; drilling, sampling, and laboratory testing to determine engineering properties; and engineering analyses that featured assessments of levee freeboard under 100-year flood conditions, including scour protection, slope stability, seepage, settlement, and interior drainage.

Our team also performed a detailed assessment of existing encroachments (both permitted and unpermitted) into the levee embankments to check their influence on seepage paths and embankment stability. Encroachments include structure foundations, bridges, access roads, parking areas, and utilities. Our ongoing work has included design support for levee segments that required safety improvements, and preparation of application packages for FEMA accreditation.
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Many businesses transfer materials from leveed areas to barges. The levee system protects infrastructure and operations for thousands of businesses that would otherwise be at risk of flooding.
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Portland International Airport is protected from flooding by a network of levees and pump stations.
Project Highlights
​The levee system plays a crucial role in protecting the Portland International Airport from flooding. By safeguarding this vital infrastructure, UFSWQD provides businesses a safe location to invest and contribute to the local economy. As climate change poses increasing threats, the modernization and maintenance of these levees are essential to protect homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure.
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Portland's commitment to protecting its communities and infrastructure is evident in its ongoing efforts in levee construction, waterway rehabilitation, and infrastructure maintenance. By investing in these areas, the city aims to safeguard its residents and businesses from the risks associated with flooding and natural disasters. These initiatives are essential for the long-term viability of Portland's flood control infrastructure.
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UFSWQD is responsible for the levee that protects the Portland International Airport. (PDX)
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Infographic showcasing the goals of the levee rehabilitation. Options for mitigation, balancing environmental and property impacts, and meeting USACE levee safety requirements are outlined.
Owner: Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality District
More Information: Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality District (UFSWQD)