The levee system is part of the Mississippi River and Tributaries (MR&T) project. The MR&T project was authorized by the 1928 Flood Control Act. In the wake of the devastating 1927 flood, it was deemed necessary to put into place a comprehensive, unified system of public works within the lower Mississippi Valley that would provide unprecedented flood risk management and an equally efficient navigation channel. The MR&T project continues to be one of the world’s most comprehensive and successful flood risk reduction projects.The West Bank Mississippi River Levee (MRL) System begins at Pine Bluff, Arkansas and continues south into the New Orleans District. The system is comprised of 5 different segments. The first three segments are along the Arkansas River and are approximately 85 miles of levee. The remaining segments are along the west bank of the Mississippi River and are approximately 274 miles of levee. The levee system is approximately 360 miles of levee, protecting approximately 6900 square miles of mostly agricultural land. The estimated population is approximately 233,000 people with a property value of $21 Billion. Levees in this system have numerous landside berms to help control seepage. Select areas have relief wells at various intervals located at the landside toe of levees where berms could not be constructed or where constructed berm was not sufficient to help control seepage.