The Boise Public Works Department is working to get ahead of the flooding on the Boise River by plugging up manhole covers on low-lying streets and areas near the greenbelt.
They want to limit the amount of flood water entering sewer lines so the water treatment plants aren't overwhelmed. Too much could cause the plants to fail. The department says they've already covered more than 100 manholes with cork or a hardening foam.
"We just want to reduce that risk and ensure that we're doing as much as we can up front to prevent that extra water making its way to the treatment facilities," explained Colin Hicklman of Boise Public Works.
Officials say this isn't the first time they've had to seal up manholes and they plan to unplug them once the flood waters recede.
