University of Iowa Cautiously Optimistic after New Flood Projections

By Lin Larson
Iowa Now

The University of Iowa continues to closely monitor projections of Coralville Reservoir outflow and Iowa River flow through Iowa City, adjusting protective measures accordingly.Monday, June 3, flood projections are more optimistic than last week’s.

Inflow to the reservoir has fallen; outflow is at 18,000 cubic-feet per second (cfs); and river flow through Iowa City is 19,400 cfs.The reservoir is expected to peak June 6 at 710 feet, two feet short of the top of the dam. Long-term forecasts continue to call for wetter-than-normal weather patterns, but the rain outlook for the next several days looks promising.

As projections change, the university will enhance protective measures in areas at greater risk. Crews are still installing HESCO barriers near the Iowa Advance Technology Laboratories (IATL), the Iowa Memorial Union (IMU), and arts campus buildings. Facilities Management staff will continue to monitor all buildings closely.In areas at lesser risk, existing barriers may be removed to improve building access and safety. This doesn’t mean the flood threat has subsided.

Only authorized personnel are allowed near HESCO barriers and sandbag walls, or in areas that have been secured. These measures are essential for everyone’s safety—the river moves fast and carries dangerous debris. Contact UI Police at 319-335-5022 if you spot anyone other than work crews or safety officers in secured areas.So far, university crews and contractors have installed about seven miles of HESCO and other protective barriers on campus, building walls along both banks of the Iowa River and around low-lying facilities. In addition, bulkheads installed in utility tunnels after the flood of 2008 have been sealed, protecting buildings from below.University operations are normal. Flood preparations, building closures, and traffic have required adjustments, but most programs continue as planned.

As conditions change, the university will consider when and where to remove flood-protection barriers. Protective measures will remain in place for much of the summer.Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, Lt Gov. Kim Reynolds, and Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Administrator Mark Schouten will visit the UI campus this afternoon, Monday, June 3, as part of a tour of eastern Iowa flood preparations. Look for a recap via Iowa Now later today.

For ongoing updates, University of Iowa Communication and Marketing (UCM) has established an Iowa Now hub for the latest information about flood preparations at now.uiowa.edu/keywords/flood-updates-2013, and flood-related FAQs can be found here. Additionally, UCM is providing information via Twitter (hashtag # UIFloodUpdates).Questions about flood preparations and related issues may be directed via email to uiflood-questions@uiowa.edu. UCM staff will track down answers as soon as possible or refer queries to appropriate sources.