Flood Control Improvements


The Cedar River Levels at Waterloo

City of Waterloo Flood Control Improvements Since 2008


Pump Stations:

E. 6th Street @ Cedar River - $818,000 ( City Bond)

  • Larger pumps to drain storm sewer system so roads and neighborhoods do not flood.
  • Long-term benefit: We did not have to set up portable pumps at this location saving time and manpower.


Cattle Congress @ Cedar River - $1,205,000 (Storm Water Fund)

  • The area behind Cattle Congress is a detention basin for storm sewer in that area.
  • Eliminated the need to set up portable pumps behind Cattle Congress freeing these   pumps to be used elsewhere in town.
  • Long-term benefit: We did not have to set up portable pumps at this location saving time and manpower.

Cattle Congress

 
Vinton @ Cedar River, Westfield @ Black Hawk Creek, Virden Creek @ Cedar River $4,183,000 (EDA Grant)

  • Vinton and Westfield are new pump stations to drain the storm sewer system so roads  and businesses do not flood.  Virden Creek was originally built as part of the levee  system but the pumps were worn out and needed to be replaced with newer, more reliable pumps.  This station pumps out Virden Creek and keeps roads and neighborhoods from flooding.
  • Vinton and Westfield are new stations that were installed to mitigate problems from the 2008 flood.
  • Long-term benefit: We did not have to set up portable pumps at these locations saving time and manpower.

Vinton
Virden
Westfield


Hollywood @ Black Hawk Creek, Cedar Bend @ Cedar River, Fletcher @ Black Hawk Creek, Downing @ Black Hawk Creek - $7,638,000 (CDBG Grant)

  • These are new pump stations to drain the storm sewer system so roads and neighborhoods do not flood.
  • All of these are new stations that were installed to mitigate problems from the 2008 flood.
  • Long-term benefit:We did not have to set up portable pumps at these location saving time and manpower.

Hollywood
Fletcher
Cedar Bend

Blowers Creek @ Cedar River - $4,636,700 (EDA Grant)

  • This is a new pump station to pump down Blowers Creek to keep roads and neighborhoods from flooding.
  • This is a new station that were installed to mitigate problems from the 2008 flood.
  • Long-term benefit: We did not have to set up portable pumps at this location saving time and manpowe.

Blowers


Gatewell Replacements

Dry Run Gate @ Cedar River - $238,000 ( City Bond)

  • This gate was originally installed as part of the levee system. It did not operate as well as it should have during the 2008 flood and was replaced and upgraded to be closed remotely.
  • 16 Gates along Dry Run Arch from Liberty Park to the Cedar River - $687,000
  • These gates were originally installed as part of the levee system.  They did not operate as well as they should have during the 2008 flood and were replaced with valves that automatically open and close eliminating the need for City personnel to close them.
  • Long-term benefit: Properly maintained, these gates will continue to protect the City for the next 30 years saving time and manpower in all future flood events.

Gatewell

Gatewell (1)



21 storm sewer gates along Black Hawk Creek - $741,500 (City Bond)

  • These gates were originally installed as part of the levee system.  They did not operate as well as they should have during the 2008 flood and were replaced with new gates and can now be closed much quicker than the old gates.
  • Long-term benefit: Properly maintained, these gates will continue to protect the City for the next 30 years saving time and manpower in all future flood events.


4 gates along Black Hawk Creek - $470,000 (City Bond)

  • These gates were originally installed as part of the levee system.  They did not operate as well as they should have during the 2008 flood and were replaced with new gates and can now be closed much quicker than the old gates.
  • Long-term benefit: Properly maintained, these gates will continue to protect the City for the next 30 years saving time and manpower in all future flood events.


4 gates along River Road and the Cedar River - $298,000 (City Bond)

  • These gates were originally installed as part of the levee system.  They did not operate as well as they should have during the 2008 flood and were replaced with new gates and can now be closed much quicker than the old gates.
  • Long-term benefit: Properly maintained, these gates will continue to protect the City for the next 30 years saving time and manpower in all future flood events.


Other Projects

  • Remove railroad swing gates and bridges at Westfield and Black Hawk Creek - $367,000 (City Bond)
  • Long-term benefit: These were large steel gates that would be open to allow rail traffic into John Deere and could be closed and sandbagged during a flood.  Since they were no longer being used, they were removed and an earthen levee was constructed eliminating 4 openings and the need for City personnel to have to close and sand bag them.

Purchase portable pumps - $225,000 (State of Iowa Grant)

  • The City found out that they needed more portable pumps for use at “hot spots” around the City.
  • Long-term benefit: By purchasing more pumps, the City can help more neighborhoods if needed.

Purchased sandbag machine - (State of Iowa Grant)

  • This machine increases the number of sandbags that can be produced rather than filling them by hand.
  • Long-term benefit: More sandbags allows not only City personnel to sandbag specific locations but also allows for the general public to come and pick them up for their use around their property.

Moved Public Works to new location

  • During the 2008 flood, the location at 11th and Black Hawk had to be evacuated due to flooding in the area.
  • Long-term benefit: By relocating to a new location and consolidating operations, it allows the City to be more efficient in working a flood event.

Purchased properties on San Souci Island (FEMA)

Sans Souci signs

  • Long-term benefit: With the home removed from San Souci, the City does not have to send resources to protect these homes from flooding, allowing these resources to be used elsewhere.

Purchased homes in Sherwood Park (FEMA)
Sherwood park 2

  • Long-term benefit: With the home removed from Sherwood Park, the City does not have to send resources to protect these homes from flooding, allowing these resources to be used elsewhere.


FEMA Improvements from 2008 Flood

Rebuilt Boathouse higher and to withstand flooding

  • Long-term benefit: The boathouse was rebuilt so that the first floor is higher than the top of the levee.  The bottom floor is poured concrete walls that have doors that open to allow floodwater to flow through the building rather than trying to push it out of the way.

Rebuilt portions of Riverfront Stadium to withstand flooding
riverfront_stadium_entrance sign

  • The stadium had a lot of the electrical elevated so that it would be above the flood waters.
  • Portions of the stadium were rebuilt out of concrete that could be easily cleaned rather than wood that would have to be rebuilt.


Installed sump pumps at City Hall, 5 Sullivans Center and Center for the Arts

  • All of these building had groundwater seep into the basements and damage records and other articles stored there. 
  • Long-term benefit: Installing sump pumps allowed the basements to remain dry during the 2016 flood.

Roughly $21,600,000 spent on improvements and upgrades.

Flood Protection Improvements Since 2008
Flood Protection Improvements Since 2008
Click to Enlarge