Jonesboro, AR – Contributed – The City of Jonesboro will receive $1 million in federal funds to execute flood improvement recommendations from its “Master Watershed Plan.”
The improvements, recommended by the Memphis District Corps of Engineers, consist of various phases to improve the drainage system along Lost Creek, which flows from east to west across north Jonesboro.
The creek serves as drainage for a significant portion of north and west Jonesboro and casts a wide net of flood zone designations that have historically limited residential and commercial growth along its path.
“I’m proud to have secured funding from HUD’s Economic Development Initiative for critical drainage and flood mitigation improvement around Lost Creek in North Jonesboro,” said Congressman Rick Crawford. “This funding will deliver real relief to the 1,400 households in that area, reduce the frequency of property damage, and pave the way for stronger economic and recreational growth.”
Funding for the project comes courtesy of appropriation bills recently signed into law by President Trump. Details regarding the expected receipt of funds stemming from the legislation have not been announced. The target of Transportation-Housing & Urban Development (THUD) legislation has historically served as a resource for communities to make significant investments in infrastructure needs.
Mayor Harold Copenhaver expressed his appreciation for Congressman Crawford, his staff, and all of the federal delegation for prioritizing drainage improvements in Jonesboro.
Copenhaver said, “Flooding along the Lost Creek basin is a challenge as old as Jonesboro. This appropriation provides resources to start a long-term project to better manage upstream retention and provide relief to the system. I am thankful for Congressman Crawford’s efforts to secure this funding and his understanding of the importance of this project.”
In addition to the FY2026 appropriation, the overall goal of the City of Jonesboro is to see the Lost Creek basin listed as a priority project on the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) project list. Inclusion of the project would provide significant federal funding in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
“The WRDA program is very competitive, and it often takes communities multiple cycles to gain the designation. This appropriation is a big step in that direction and will allow the city to start making investments in the watershed that could have both drainage and recreational benefits,” said City Engineer Craig Light.
While city officials await exact details that outline funding timelines and permissible uses, the funding will likely be used to continue city efforts to purchase property along the creek to either slow runoff into the channel or add stormwater storage during rain events.
As the city undergoes a large Master Plan effort as a part of the overall Destination 100K initiative, Tony Thomas, chief operating officer for the city, noted how taming Lost Creek will play a significant role in future development.
“Longterm, our goal is to redefine floodplain designations that hamper commercial growth efforts in northern and western Jonesboro,” he said. “This can’t be accomplished without significant federal investment. We are grateful for this vote of confidence that our mission appeals to our federal delegation.”
Over the last 15 years, the City of Jonesboro has initiated multiple legislative efforts and stormwater building codes to address flooding in the city. As a result, structural flooding reports have reduced significantly, but Copenhaver said there is still a lot of work to be done.
“As a city, we have made progress, but as we continue to develop, we add stress to the system,” he said. “It is critical that we continue to make proactive investments in anticipation of future needs because the price tag never goes down on infrastructure investments.”
