COURTLAND—Southampton County has agreed to help pay for a study of the Chowan River Basin by the Army Corps of Engineers.

The county’s Board of Supervisors voted Monday to commit about $6,500 toward the cost of a $90,000 preliminary study that is intended to provide Virginia’s Chowan Basin communities with information on how better to predict flooding.

The Corps of Engineers would pay half of the total cost, and the seven localities that comprise the Chowan River Basin would split the remaining $45,000 in expenses.

The City of Franklin is leading the effort, and its council also voted earlier this month to put up money for the study.

“Based on the results of this preliminary study,” wrote Mayor Jim Councill in a letter to government leaders from Southampton, Isle of Wight, Greensville, Sussex, Surry and Emporia, “it is hoped that a recommendation will be made by the U.S. Corps of Engineers for appropriation of 100% of the funds needed from Congress for a full study.”