Key Service Areas

The Iowa Flood Center works in cooperation with local, state, and federal partners to develop science-based approaches to effectively communicate and mitigate flood risks and help communities and individuals make informed flood-related decisions. 

 

stream sensor in action

Flood Monitoring

Nearly 300 stream-stage sensors designed, built, and deployed by IFC measure river levels every 15 minutes, improving flood monitoring and forecasting. Hydrologic weather stations improve flood- and drought- prediction capabilities.

LiDAR landscape image

Flood Mapping

High-resolution statewide flood maps for every Iowa stream, along with scenario-based flood inundation maps, keep individuals and communities safe and informed—protecting lives, property, and critical infrastructure. 

wetland mitigation project

Flood Mitigation

IFC staff and researchers provide leadership and technical expertise that supports collaborations with local, state, and federal partners to develop and implement watershed-based strategies to mitigate flood damage and increase resilience. 

Flood alerts

Flood Forecasting

Flood alerts and forecasts are available for more than 1,000 Iowa communities, helping all Iowans better plan and prepare in advance of a flood. 

IFIS home page

Iowa Flood Information System

IFIS is a free, Google Maps-based web platform that communicates real-time information about stream levels, flood alerts and forecasts, and hydrologic conditions for the entire state of Iowa. 

Missouri River Flood Information System

Missouri River Flood Information System

The Missouri River Flood Information System (MRFIS) provides comprehensive information on floods, streamflow and mitigation scenarios, and levee systems that can be easily modified to represent breaches.

hydroinformatics demonstration

Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology

The Iowa Flood Center is a key partner in the Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology (CIROH), funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and led by the Alabama Water Institute at the University of Alabama. IFC researchers contribute their expertise in water resources prediction, hydrologic modeling and mapping, hydroinformatics (water information systems), flood monitoring, and outreach and education. 

Project Spotlight

 A hydrostation in south central Iowa

Iowa Flood Center receives $1M for Eastern Iowa

Thursday, January 4, 2024
The Iowa Flood Center received $1 million to expand flood and drought monitoring, watershed management, and forecasting services in Eastern Iowa through Congress’s Community Project Funding.
Image of Iowa with flood resillience cohort

IFC Partners with American Flood Coalition on Flood Resilient Communities Cohort

Thursday, December 7, 2023
The Iowa Flood Center will work with the American Flood Coalition and serve as a technical resource for cohort communities to support them in accessing federal funding for flood projects.
On-road structure in Otter Creek (Fayette County)

New Tool Supports Local Flood Mitigation Efforts

Tuesday, September 3, 2024
A new tool has identified 250,000 suitable locations for on-road structures, an innovative flood mitigation practice that uses the existing roadway embankment as a temporary dam during heavily rainfall events.