NATCHEZ &8212; The longer it takes to build the St. Catherine Creek Watershed project, the more money will be spent on trying to stabilize the creek that encompasses the east boundary of the city.

That was part of the message that was delivered by Natchez city engineer David Gardner and former mayor Tony Byrne during Wednesday&8217;s meeting of the Natchez Rotary Club.

This year alone, more than $600,000 is being spent to stabilize the creek.

Sites along John R. Junkin Drive, behind the antebellum house Elms Court, near Natchez High School and two sites near West Primary School are currently under construction this year, all in an effort to keep the creek from eroding.

&8220;And this is really not that busy a year for erosion,&8221; Gardner said after the meeting.

Since 1989, the city has spent more than $15 million dollars on numerous projects related to the constant erosion and movement of the 21 mile long creek. Most of the money is spent from federal grants, Gardner said.

In fact, the current project near Natchez High School, near the site of the former Star Lite Drive Inn, is the second project on that site in the last decade.

That is why $30 million from the federal government will be money well spent, Gardner said.

&8220;They are paying (for it in erosion projects) right now,&8221; Gardner said.

The project, which will be a series of lakes built from St. Catherine Creek, will create 1420 acres of water, six miles of shoreline along the creek from the mouth of the Mississippi River to the area near Historic Jefferson College.

Gardner said the project would stabilize the creek to a constant level.

&8220;It will slow down the erosion,&8221; Gardner said.

The Natchez Board of Aldermen, on Aug. 22, approved the hiring of Engineering firm Burns, Cooley and Dennis to do a hydrolic study of the area for the project. The study would help determine the location and cost of creating the watersheds for the project.

The study, to be finished later this year, would then be used to present to leaders in Washington, D.C., to get the $30 million they are requesting from the federal government.

&8220;We will have to have our homework done,&8221; Gardner said. &8220;We will have our act together before we go to Washington.&8221;

Rotarians were treated to their own helicopter ride, via Power Point presentation, along the 21 mile stretch of the creek that winds around the Natchez city limits.

Along with erosion control, Gardner and Byrne highlighted other benefits that will result from the project. These include canoeing, fishing and other outdoor activities. Other added benefits might include industrial and commercial prospects, Gardner said.

Byrne said Natchez&8217;s efforts are similar to what other city&8217;s have tried to do, like the Riverwalk in San Antonio.

&8220;Look at what they did,&8221; Byrne said. &8220;They made a fortune out of a drainage ditch.&8221;