The threat of a rising Des Moines River has had a lot of study over the years, and it could get some more if the Des Moines City Council agrees to spend $1.3 million as part of a $3 million joint study with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Flood mitigation has been an ongoing concern since 2008, when 25 days of rain generated near-record flooding, forced bonobos to high ground, nearly swamped the U.S. 65 bypass and caused downtown businesses to turn their attention to sandbagging operations.

A month of rain is one thing is, of course, nearly biblical, so flooding might be expected. The problem was that less rain caused higher water levels than had been anticipated or predicted by studies prior to 2008.

To say that the city of Des Moines is focused on storm-water management would be a gross understatement. The city anticipates that nearly $86 million will be spent over the next five fiscal years in storm-water and flood control improvements, according to its capital improvements program document. More than $56 million has been spent to date.

Improvements include levee and floodwall enhancements, modifying and removing some old bridges, and updating pump stations and storm sewers.

Not all of the expenses are paid from city coffers. City Engineer Pam Cooksey said it is hoped that money the city has spent so far might trigger additional federal funds.

Some interesting stuff has been done so far and more is scheduled.

The Union Pacific Railroad spent $1 million to remove an abandoned bridge, four bridges that amount to $18 million culverts were added to the U.S. 65 bypass and the city grubbed land nearby to remove debris.

We could all have a streamside seat next year when the city will lift what is now called the Red Pedestrian Bridge near Court Avenue about 4 feet to prevent debris from collecting below its deck and creating backwater upstream.

The aim of the joint study with the Corps of Engineers is to come up with a coordinated plan to further improve the levee system.