The Corps of Engineers has only enough money to fix 11 of 68 Missouri River levees. Corps officials say they are draining extra water from upstream reservoirs to nurse the flood-battered system through 2012.

The announcement came yesterday during a meeting in Overland Park of the Missouri River Flood Task Force. The damaged levees are located in Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas.

The corps says the $68 million available is enough to pay for only the most crucial projects. Their goal is to fix those levees at least enough to protect against a 25-year flood, although many previously provided 100-year flood protection. John Leighow of the corps says it would cost $253 million to make all the repairs needed in the Missouri River Basin.