75-year-old carl cole, a life spent on the water showing his 16-year-old grandson, robert, the southwest wharf. a $2 billion project in a city busy reclaiming its waterfront. the new river sea wall is more than five feet higher than some of the old ones from the 1960s. >> you'll see that that's much, much higher. and that, i think, would survive probably a 500-year flood plane, if not higher. >> reporter: from the ever-present sandbags around some metro stops to massive flooding at some of the city's most iconic buildings, nbc4 has detailed how local, state prepare for major flooding and have more to do. >> i expect in the next five to ten years we're going to see a massive effort. >> reporter: this man from the national capital planning commission details how even some storm water can flood low parts of the nation's capital. at the blue plain, the largest water treatment plant, a series of sea walls are being constructed to protect billions in clean water machinery. back on east potomac park, water retainly laps over fencing and walkways that should have been built four feet higher. fishermen

the neuvirth development, just up the way from the mall. -- at the new wharf development, just up the way from the mall. along the southwest waterfront, the countdown is one with 30 days until the wharf is open to the public. >> everybody is rowing in the same direction. drive. it is a herculean task. activity yet to be completed before the condos, andotels, entertainment venues open october 12. >> it makes the whole area look different. >> if you have been here, you know about the congestion in and around maine avenue. no direct walking or biking path between the national mall and the wharf. instead people hike upa nd down -- up and down this steep hill. >> it can be an ordeal. >> next month, work will begin on a new stairway and a new bike lane around been a carpark -- banakirk park. >> it will definitely be an improvement. >> when development opened october 12, there will be other options besides just walking and biking. the free shuttle bus to the metro station, underground parking, and water taxis connecting here to the wharf. weather-wise, it is pretty gorgeous. doug: yesterday we had the high cloudiness directly com