In Wharton, Phase 1 of the Colorado River levee is set to finish by late September, despite 84 days lost to bad weather. City officials and Army engineers updated westside residents recently at Just Do It Now. The levee runs from behind Buc-ee’s on U.S. 59 to Dinosaur Park. Two retention ponds will help hold and drain floodwater, with plans to use them as future soccer fields. Hughes Street will be dug up for new drainage culverts. Officials stressed the levee will reduce flooding, not eliminate it. Phase 2 planning is already underway.