Congressman Rogers Advances Flood Control for Eastern Kentucky in Federal Water Resources Development Act (WRDA)

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) advanced flood control projects in Eastern Kentucky through the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026 ( H.R. 9497 ), which passed the House on Wednesday. The nation’s major water resources legislation, WRDA, reauthorizes and modifies water infrastructure projects every year. Congressman Rogers requested flood control and risk management projects for the Kentucky River, Buckhorn Lake and Elkhorn Lake Dam in the 2026 bill, advancing critical studies to help protect families and businesses from devastating floods in Kentucky’s Appalachian region. “Repeated flooding in the mountains has been a deadly and costly battle for our region for decades. We have largely protected communities from massive floods along the Cumberland River, the Big Sandy River and the Levisa Fork with flood walls, levies, tunnels and bridges. Now, with more flooding in the Kentucky River region, we must concentrate on protecting our people and our communities for future generations,” said Congressman Rogers . “I was proud to secure requests for three more flood control projects in this bill, which will also study risk management for the Confluence community of Leslie County where residents are frequently trapped when excessive water is released from Buckhorn Lake.” The legislation authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to move forward with flood control efforts along the Kentucky River in Beattyville, Kentucky. It will also study the safety of the Elkhorn Lake Dam in Letcher County, water supply storage and flood damage reduction efforts. A study of Buckhorn Lake was also included in the bill to examine sediment management, debris removal and the impact it has in Perry and Leslie Counties. The bill now advances to the Senate for consideration. For more information about Congressman Rogers’ work in Washington and at home in Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on social media . Click here to read H.R. 9497 .