From the document: "Over the past century, the federal government has undertaken a number of civil works projects to prevent widespread flooding damage. Congress authorizes these flood control projects and generally delegates design and construction to federal agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or the Bureau of Reclamation. Despite these various projects, many regions have experienced flood events associated with trillions of dollars of damages. Hurricanes have proven costly near the coasts, and there have been major floods along inland rivers such as the Mississippi and Missouri. This century has seen an increase in litigation over federal liability for flood damage. Some lawsuits allege government liability for damages based on the failure of levees and floodwalls designed and constructed by federal agencies. Other lawsuits claim damages resulting from intentional decisions to compromise infrastructure, such as by directing floodwaters away from population centers. Still others allege damages from flooding allegedly caused by federal infrastructure modifications directed by Congress."