Crystal Lakes might offer a solution to downtown Excelsior Springs’ flooding problem. Molly McGovern, Excelsior Springs city manager, stated in a Sept. 28 memo to city leaders and reiterated Oct. 3 during the City Council meeting at the Hall of Waters that utilizing the neighboring community to address the flooding had been a discussion topic when city leaders met recently with personnel from Vireo LLC. As this newspaper has reported, Vireo is conducting a study to explore options for controlling floodwaters from the Fishing River, the body of water that runs through downtown. The company, which has offices in Kansas City and Omaha, Neb., received the council’s approval Oct. 3 for an additional agreement to study the use of Crystal Lakes in floodwater containment. In appealing for approval of that agreement, McGovern explained in her memo that Crystal Lakes is considering purchasing a machine to dredge lake silt. The additional agreement will all...