Checking the Sand Boils

From the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Headquarters:

A Memphis District engineer checks a sand boil near Hickman, Kentucky. Sand boils form when water pressure on the riverside of a levee pushes water under the levee and it bubbles up on the landside. As long as clear water is flowing there is no problem since that indicates no levee material is being washed away. If the water flowing contains significant amounts of material then we encircle the sand boil with a ring of sand bags. This equalizes the water pressure and stops any damage to the levee. 

Some areas are prone to sand boils based on the type of soil and hydrostatic pressure from the river. If there have been sand boils in the past, it will probably happen again during a high water event like this. If they do develop, we will be watching for them and take whatever action is needed to counteract any negative effects.