City of Cedar Rapids

Permanent flood control projects completed to date include:

• 2023 1st Avenue SE Floodgate
• 2022 Demolition of HydroElectric Facility
• 2022 1st Street SE Storm Sewer Improvements between 3rd Ave to 5th Ave E
• 2022 National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library Flood wall substantially completed
• 2022 16th Avenue SW Roller Gate
• 2021 Otis Road Storm Sewer
• 2021 Amphitheatre Floodwall
• 2021 NewBo Lot 44 Levee
• 2021 3rd Avenue SE Floodgate
• 2021 Czech Village Underground Gate
• 2021 Masaryk Park Memorial
• 2021 Quaker Oats Flood Wall
• 2021 1st Street Storm Sewer Improvements between A Ave to 1st Ave E
• 2020 16th Avenue SE Roller Gate
• 2019 Czech Village Levee substantially completed
• 2019 Completion of Sinclair and NewBo pump stations
• 2018 Sinclair Levee
• 2018 Lot 44 Pump Station (initial pump)
• 2018 Northwest Gateway & Memorial Plaza
• 2017 Sinclair Detention Basin
• 2017 Sinclair Pump Station (initial pump)
• 2017 CRST Riverwalk
• 2016 CRST Floodwall
• 2013 McGrath Amphitheatre Levee

1st Avenue SE Floodgate

• Roller gate similar to 16th Avenue SE
• 1st Avenue to remain open during construction, lane reductions in effect
• Temporary parking removal on 1st Avenue during construction

Demolition of the HydroElectric Facility at the 5-in-1 Dam

• Completed 2022
• Facility was removed since it was damaged in the 2008 Flood and out of service.
• Will allow for the construction of a future floodwall between the dam and 1^st Ave E

1st Street SE Storm Sewer Improvements

• Completed 2022
• Between 3rd Ave - 5th Ave SE
• Storm Sewer connects two future pump stations
• Consolidates drainage outfalls to the Cedar River

• Completed 2022
• Roller Gate paired with decorative archway

• New Storm sewer directs water to escape instead of backing up into the neighborhood

Amphitheatre Floodwall

• Completed 2021
• Floodwall built into the side of a new facility that doubles as a public restroom and event storage.
• The built-in floodwall protects the 2008 flood volume.
• It will tie into a levee and removable floodwall that will stretch from the Amphitheatre to 7th Avenue SW, coming 2023

NewBo Lot 44 Levee

• Completed 2021
• Located between 9th Avenue SE and 12th Avenue SE
• Parking restrictions in place during and after construction
• View a map of parking impacts 

3rd Avenue SE Floodgate

• Completed 2021
• Stackable/removable floodgate
• Permanent columns on the sidewalk
• Stackable panel gate during flood
• Deployed for a 22 ft river elevation
• 3rd Avenue closed during construction

Czech Village Underground Gate

• Completed 2021
• New underground stormwater gate
• Prevents river water from backing up into the City’s storm sewer system, eliminating street flooding
• Reduces the City’s reliance on temporary measures such as plugs and pumps 

Masaryk Park Memorial

• Completed 2021
• Reinstating memorial markers that were moved during levee construction
• Recall individuals significant to the history and development of the New Bohemia District
• Includes replacing flag poles and adding bike racks and plantings 

Quaker Oats Flood Wall

• Completed 2021
• Protects one of the nation's leading agricultural producers
• 2,100 linear feet of a permanent flood wall
• Will ultimately protect the 2008 flood volume
• Includes pump station upgrades, water transmission main relocation, and railroad closure gate

1st Street Storm Sewer Improvements

• Completed 2021
• Between A Avenue NE - 1st Avenue East
• Consolidates drainage outfalls to the Cedar River
• Directs downtown stormwater to a future pump station at Tree of Five Seasons Park
• Facilitates construction of floodgate across 1st Avenue East

16th Avenue SE Roller Gate

• Completed 2020
• Rolls across the road to keep water in the river
• Room to store gate behind the flood wall 
• Protects to 2008 flood volume
• 45 minutes to close the gate
• Similar gate planned for the west side of the bridge in 2022

Czech Village Levee

• Completed 2019
• Approximately ½ mile long
• Stretches from Linn County Solid Waste Agency to 16th Avenue SW
• Approximately 16-20 feet tall on average
• Protects a river elevation up to 19.5 feet
• Once the entire Flood Control System is complete and it's tied into future segments: protects the 2008 flood volume
• Includes 12' wide walking/bike trail 

Northwest Gateway & Memorial Plaza 

• Completed: June 2018
• Situated along O Avenue & Ellis Blvd NW.
• Includes greenway space, benches, and a memorial wall.
• The plaza also features a distinctive gateway that welcomes residents and visitors to the site. 
• Privately-funded "West Side Rising" sculpture pays tribute to neighborhood recovery and persistence

Lot 44 Pump Station

• Construction: 2016–Spring 2018
• Located between 8th and 12th Avenues NE in New Bohemia District. 
• Pumping capacity: 12,000 gallons per minute at the opening, with capacity for expansion.
• Aesthetics designed to complement the character of the neighboring district.
• Includes gate to prevent the river from backing up into the neighborhood through storm sewers.
• Protects community from rain inundation by pumping rainwater back into the Cedar River.

Sinclair / NewBo Levee 

• Stretches from the African American Museum to Alliant Substation.
• Just under ½ mile long.
• 13–23 feet tall on average, 130 feet at its widest.
• Provides immediate protection of a river surge up to 20 feet; protection to 2008 volume upon Flood Control System completion.
• Includes a 12-foot wide concrete bike and pedestrian trail.
• Includes walls next to 16th Avenue NE for a future gate.

Sinclair Detention Basin

• Construction: 2016 – 2017, grading/aesthetics 2018 
• 4.4 acres, used to store excess rainwater until it can be safely pumped back into the river
• Can safely store rainwater up to 4 feet deep
• Includes paved lot for excess snow storage during snow removal efforts 

Sinclair Pump Station

• Sized for 3 pumps
• Capacity of 2,500 gallons per minute at the opening, with expansion capability
• Used when underground flood gates are closed and rainwater needs to be pumped back into the river

CRST Riverwalk 

• Provides a pedestrian walkway along the Cedar River between 2nd and 3rd Avenues

McGrath Amphitheatre

• Recreation blended with protection.
• Designed to take on water, the amphitheater
  also provides a signature outdoor concert and event venue.

Reducing Our Flood Risk
Since 2008, the City has significantly reduced its flood risk. A history of risk reduction efforts includes

• Developed interim flood control plan
• Removed 1,300+ properties from the flood zone
• Adopted new flood insurance rate maps
• Updated Floodplain Management Ordinance
• Secured GRI state funding of $267M
• Improved sanitary sewers and raised the City’s wells
• Upgraded and protected the Water Pollution Control Facility
• Completed interim levee repairs
• Raised buildings flooded in 2008
• Raised two bridges over Prairie Creek
• Designed and constructed the McGrath Amphitheatre levee
• Designed the CRST building to include a flood wall
• Completed improvements to the sanitary sewer system and watershed management practices.
• Sanitary sewer and watershed management improvements (ongoing) 

• Timeline to Federal Funding