Pueblo Levee Dirt May Be Put To Other Uses

A lot of dirt needs to get moved to repair the Arkansas River levee in Pueblo. So much, in fact, that officials are looking for ways to put it to use.

The repair work calls for reducing the height of the existing levee by 12 feet. The dirt that was removed last year has been stockpiled for a city bridge project. But to complete the job, more dirt needs to be removed. The Pueblo Conservancy District wants it used for other projects.

Kim Kock, the consulting engineer for the district, says the extra dirt will help extend another part of the levee north along a creek that flows into the Arkansas, and possibly for construction on I-25.

If it works out, "We can save the district money," he said. "It saves the taxpayers money.