I would like to suggest a little "out of the box thinking" regarding repairing the levies and protecting against future floods. Has anyone considered using huge drainage pipes placed on an angle and draining towards the Gulf as a basis for the levies? The drainage pipes would have openings for the water that tops the levy to enter the pipe and then flow to the gulf. The tops of the levies could also be built in the form of an aquaduct (much like the Romans used) to assist in channeling the water towards the gulf. This aquaduct can be used as bike paths, running paths and maintenance paths when weather permits.