News

 Flood inundation maps for Lock and Dam No. 15 upstream of Davenport at a scenario-based flood stage of 26 feet.

New Mississippi River flood maps

Tuesday, June 9, 2020
The Iowa Flood Center (IFC) at the University of Iowa has recently developed scenario-based flood inundation maps for the Mississippi River, stretching from Lock and Dam No. 11 in Dubuque to Lock and Dam No. 19 in Keokuk.
A flooded recreation area

Missouri has plan to develop flood monitoring system

Thursday, May 14, 2020
Inspired by neighboring Iowa's flood-monitoring system, a Missouri group tasked with giving recommendations on building flood resiliency to the governor by the end of the month heard a presentation Wednesday on how the state could develop a similar system.
People in rain gear boat through floodwaters

Spring flooding and COVID-19 collide in the Midwest: Challenges and considerations for local governments

Monday, April 27, 2020
As spring flooding threatens cities across the Midwest, local government leaders on the frontlines of COVID-19 prepare for a “dual disaster” response.
A building in a flooded field

Upper Mississippi tops endangered-rivers list

Thursday, April 16, 2020
As Iowa and other states brace for more flooding this spring along the Upper Mississippi River, a new report highlights the continued threat facing the waterway.
The outside of the University of Iowa Flood center

We Are Iowa Strong

Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Undoubtedly, the spread of the coronavirus has impacted your life in some way. These are unprecedented times with significant uncertainties ahead.
Photo of a dam on the Iowa River

Iowa Flood Center discusses future plans, preparing for potential flood risks

Wednesday, March 11, 2020
Staff at the Iowa Flood Center in Iowa City say they are preparing for potential flood risks later this year.
A sign reading "Serving Iowans"

Iowa Flood Center updates flood risk for Midwest

Wednesday, March 11, 2020
Experts from the Iowa Flood Center at the University of Iowa are seeing an increased risk for flooding along the Mississippi river but will have to wait to gauge definitive risk for Iowa.
Mandela Barnes and Wenona Wolf at a meeting of the Monroe County Climate Change Task Force

Wisconsin Climate Change Task Force hears urgency of local flood concerns

Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Officials from southwest Wisconsin and Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes attended a meeting of the Monroe County Climate Change Task Force on Wednesday, Feb. 12. Barnes, who leads the Wisconsin Climate Change Task Force, was there to learn about the local effort, and to discuss the plans of the state task force.
Photo of icy Iowa River and Stanley Hydraulics Lab

Iowa’s spring flooding outlook ‘not so good’

Tuesday, January 28, 2020
Dealing with ice and snow may be more immediate concerns for Iowans, but Witold Krajewski says it's not too soon to be thinking about sandbags and temporary flood barriers.
Photo of the Stanley Hydraulics Laboratory building

How one Iowa city is planning for a rising Mississippi River

Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Climate change is contributing to more severe flooding in communities along the Mississippi River. In 2019, the Mississippi crested at its highest-ever recorded level in Davenport, Iowa, causing widespread damage in the city's downtown and reigniting a debate about how it should protect itself. NewsHour Weekend's Christopher Booker reports as part of our climate change series, "Peril & Promise."