Local Flood Protection

Local Flood Protection
Cedar Falls, Iowa

Partnering Lesson:

  • Partnering improved emergency management.

Project Description
The construction involved a flood control project under the Continuing Authorities Program that provided flood protection to the city of Cedar Falls, Iowa. No flood protection existed between the river and the town's business district.

Project Challenges:

  • Project construction was in the middle of an urban area and required work around the business district and the main traffic arteries leading into and out of town.
  • Time was of the essence to complete this project and avoid flood damages.

Issue:
In Cedar River began to rise to what would become a 50-year flood event while the project, as scheduled, was only 30% complete. Levee sections and some floodwall sections had been completed, but huge holes and whole sections of floodwalls had not yet been constructed. Moreover, under the terms of the Contract, the Contractor could stop work and receive a time extension for flooding.

Benefits of Partnering:

  • Partnering kept open the lines of communication..

The principal parties including the Corps District Commander, the Mayor of Cedar Falls, and the contractor met in a partnering session before any work began. Follow-on meetings were held throughout the contract and a weekly status meeting was held with the Corps on-site representative, the City Engineer, and the contractor.

  • With assistance from the city's crews, the contractor installed temporary protection in place that saved the City of Cedar Falls from any flood damage.
  • Approximately $5.8 million in potential flood damage was avoided — more than the cost of the project.

Thanks to the quick response and successful flood fight, the project had already paid for itself before it was completed. This successful response would not have been possible without the communication and organization established through Partnering.

Stakeholders:
City of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Rock Island District, Langman Construction Company.