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 1st 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
16th Avenue SW Roller Gate
- Completed 2022
- Roller Gate paired with decorative archway
2021 Otis Road Storm Sewer
- 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)