Weekly Feature 04

"Wichita was built on a floodplain from Hillside to Ridge Road. Some early settlers referred to it simply as swampland. It was flooded three times in 11 days in 1944. Losses totaled $4.25 million. Another big flood happened in 1945, but people had more warning and removed belongings from basements. From the flood committees report grew the idea for the Big Ditch, which was completed in 1959." - Wichita Eagle

Not many people realize how much went into protecting downtown from floods. Here's some views of the big ditch and some of the levees that were constructed to keep downtown and Riverside from becoming part of the Arkansas River.

Song: Outta Here (feat Con Bro Chill) - Papa Ya