The Value of Levee Inspections – A Q&A With Nikki Brennan

Nikki Brennan, P.G. is a project manager and professional geologist at GEI. She specializes in flood risk management, including the feasibility, design, and construction of riverine and coastal levee systems. We asked her about a key piece of the risk-informed decision making process for levees: levee inspections.

Setting the Stage

Q:How do levee inspections fit into the overall life cycle of a levee system?

A: Inspections are the routine “checkups” of a levee system that keep the system on track throughout its life. Inspections track how well the system is maintained, how it ages, and provide insights on how it may hold up during a flood. Inspections can reveal areas where small changes might signal bigger issues ahead and help make sure the system stays reliable throughout its entire life cycle.

What to Look For

Q: When walking a levee, what signs or conditions are most important to be on the lookout for?

A: During a levee inspection, the goal is to spot anything that could affect how the levee holds up during a flood. That includes looking for worn or washed‑out areas, the condition of riprap/slope protection, cracks, low spots, or places where water seems to be leaking through. It’s also important to notice things like animal burrows, overgrown vegetation, or activities happening on or near the levee that shouldn’t be there (like buildings or fences close to or going through the levee). You also want to check that any gates, culverts, and drainage features are free of debris and functioning the way they should.

Why Inspections Matter

Q: Why are levee inspections often described as the “first line of defense” for levee owners and communities?

A: Levee inspections are the first line of defense because they help catch problems before a flood shows up. If issues like erosion, seepage, or damage go unnoticed, the levee may not perform the way it needs to when water rises. Regular inspections give owners a chance to spot those warning signs and fix them before people, homes, and critical infrastructure are put at risk. Inspections are an important way to help protect communities from serious loss during a flood.

From Field Data to Decisions

Q: How do inspection findings help levee owners make better, more informed decisions especially when resources are limited?

A: Inspection results highlight what needs attention now versus what can wait. This helps owners prioritize maintenance and investments, so resources go toward the most important and highest‑impact actions.

Risk & Prioritization

Q: How do inspections support risk assessments and help owners prioritize repairs, maintenance, or investments?

A: Inspections give the risk assessment team a picture of what the levee looks like today. That real-world snapshot helps the team understand the levee’s existing condition and how well it has been maintained. From this information, they can pinpoint the biggest vulnerabilities. For levee owners, that means they can prioritize repairs and upgrades based on risk allowing for smarter, risk‑informed decisions about where to invest their time and money.

Regulatory Alignment

Q: What role do inspections play in meeting USACE and FEMA requirements, including programs like PL 84‑99 or NFIP accreditation?

A: Regular inspections are a key part of showing USACE and FEMA that a levee is being properly maintained. Up‑to‑date inspection records help demonstrate that issues are being addressed and the system is performing as it should. That documentation is important for staying eligible for programs like PL 84‑99, which provide federal assistance after a flood, and for meeting the requirements tied to NFIP accreditation. The bottom line is that consistent inspections help prove the levee is being responsibly managed, which both agencies look for when determining program eligibility.

Common Challenges

Q: What are some common challenges or misconceptions you see when levee owners don’t have consistent inspection programs?

A: When inspections aren’t done regularly, owners can miss early warning signs and struggle to meet federal requirements because they don’t have the documentation to back things up. Small issues can turn into expensive fixes, and owners are left unsure of how the levee would perform in a flood. Frequent inspections don’t prevent every surprise during a flood, but they can avoid problems that could have been spotted earlier.

GEI’s Approach

Q: What aspects of GEI’s approach to levee inspections help deliver meaningful value to levee owners?

A: Our team brings hands-on experience conducting levee inspections with USACE, so we know what to look for in the field and how those observations relate to how the levee would perform during a flood. We also bring extensive experience in levee risk analysis, from screening‑level reviews to fully quantitative assessments. That combination allows us to quickly recognize the types of issues that really matter for a levee’s risk profile. Instead of only listing observations on a checklist, we focus on helping levee owners understand which findings are most important for safety, compliance, and long‑term system reliability.

Connecting the Dots

Q: How do inspections at GEI connect to broader services like risk assessments, asset management, or long-term levee programs?

A: Inspections are one of the key pieces that help tie our broader services together. The information we gather in the field feeds into the larger picture we build through risk assessments, asset management tools, and planning for long‑term solutions. Because we’re already familiar with the system through the inspection process, we can help owners understand how individual findings relate to long‑term needs, future investments, and overall system performance. It allows us to connect day‑to‑day observations with bigger program goals, giving levee owners a clearer path for planning, budgeting, and managing their system over time.

Key Takeaway

Q: If there’s one thing you want levee owners to remember about levee inspections, what would it be?

A: Regular inspections are the most cost‑effective way to protect your levee system and the community behind it. They help owners stay ahead of problems, meet federal requirements, and make informed decisions that reduce risk to life and property.