Midwest floods/drought

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_severe_weather

It seems like every spring we hear about floods in the Midwest, some of them pretty severe, yet every year we also hear about severe droughts in the same area 3-4 months later. Is it possible some kind of aqueduct and/or reservoir system could be set up so excess water in the spring could be collected, and used later when the drought begins. I know....it would cost a lot to do this, but it also costs a great deal to repair the flood damage every year, as well as the value of lost crops every year. It seems to me the cost would be worth it. Any Thoughts?

Originally posted by bill718
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_severe_weather

It seems like every spring we hear about floods in the Midwest, some of them pretty severe, yet every year we also hear about severe droughts in the same area 3-4 months later. Is it possible some kind of aqueduct and/or reservoir system could be set up so excess water in the spring could be collected, and used ...[text shortened]... as the value of lost crops every year. It seems to me the cost would be worth it. Any Thoughts?

If it weren't for federal flood insurance, most people wouldn't rebuild on those same flood plains. Guess what. We subsidize their risky behavior.

I believe you would find to that up and down the Mississippi there are damns and levies, and other attempts to contain and utilize the excess, but usually Mother nature has her way with the best laid plans of men.