New federal documents provide a more detailed look at the repairs planned along the Smoky Hill River at Bill Burke Park, including two retaining walls reaching 15 feet in height and extending a combined 284 feet along damaged portions of the riverbank.

The City of Salina is seeking Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance funding for the project following erosion and other damage associated with flooding and the large accumulation of trees and debris in the Smoky Hill River.

The project is identified as Bill Burke Park Storm Repairs and Mitigation, PA-4897-27.

The work would take place at Bill Burke Sport Center, 1501 E. Crawford St., within an area FEMA identifies as a regulatory floodway in the AE flood zone, an area with a 1% annual chance of flooding.

Two Retaining Walls Planned

The largest components of the project involve two areas of riverbank erosion.

At the north erosion site, approximately 52 feet of damaged embankment would be repaired. FEMA documents show the city plans to add a 122-foot-long, 15-foot-tall retaining wall supported by 10-foot pilings to reduce the risk of future erosion.

At the south erosion site near the city's water intake structure and pier, an eroded area approximately 150 feet long, 45 feet wide and 12 feet deep would be filled and repaired.

That location would receive a larger 162-foot-long, 15-foot-tall retaining wall supported by 12-foot-deep pilings.

According to the federal notice, construction of the two retaining walls will require partial dewatering of the Smoky Hill River channel during construction.

The retaining walls are considered mitigation improvements rather than simply replacement of what existed before the storm damage.

Walkways, Concrete Pad and Railings Also Included

The project extends beyond the riverbanks.

Plans call for removing and replacing three damaged five-foot-wide concrete sidewalks totaling approximately 138 feet.

A damaged concrete pad measuring approximately 28 feet by eight feet would also be removed and replaced.

Damaged safety railings along the sidewalk and around the fishing pier are also included in the repairs.

FEMA Says Doing Nothing Could Lead to Continued Erosion

The federal review considered three alternatives.

Taking no action was rejected because FEMA determined the embankment could continue to fail, further damaging park features and limiting public trail access.

Simply restoring the riverbank to its previous condition was also rejected because the area would remain vulnerable to erosion during future flooding.

The selected alternative combines repairs with the two retaining walls intended to provide additional protection against future flood events.

$1.5 Million Included in City's Capital Plan

The FEMA public notice does not state the dollar value of the federal project or how much FEMA could ultimately reimburse the city.

However, the City of Salina's proposed 2027 capital plan separately identifies approximately $1.5 million for Bill Burke Park riverbank repairs, with anticipated FEMA reimbursement.

Salina311 first reported the $1.5 million estimate Aug. 10 following the city's capital planning discussion.

City officials said at the time that the project had been submitted to FEMA for possible reimbursement and that costs not reimbursed would remain the city's responsibility.

The federal notice provides substantially more detail about what those repairs could ultimately look like but does not establish that FEMA has approved the city's entire $1.5 million estimate.

Damage Followed 2025 Flooding and Log Jam

The riverbank repairs are the latest phase of work associated with the major debris accumulation that developed along the Smoky Hill River in 2025.

City records show multiple heavy-rain events sent large amounts of trees and other debris downstream, where it accumulated near the city's surface-water intake at Bill Burke Park.

The city initially approved up to $452,351 for debris removal in July 2025. Following additional flooding and debris accumulation, commissioners increased that agreement to as much as $1.21 million in October 2025.

That debris-removal project is separate from the approximately $1.5 million in riverbank repairs now proposed for 2027.

Public Comment Period Nearing End

The FEMA notice opens the proposed work to public comment as part of the federal environmental and floodplain review process.

Comments may address the proposed work's potential effects on the floodplain, environment, historic resources and other considerations evaluated as part of FEMA's review.

The notice provides a 15-day public comment period from its posting date.

The project remains subject to applicable federal, state and local requirements before FEMA funding can be used.