Floodwaters Rush Down Swollen Iowa Rivers

Flood warnings were issued across Iowa on Saturday and are currently in effect for the Little Sioux, Des Moines, Iowa, Cedar and Mississippi Rivers.

The Cedar River at Vinton was expected to crest Sunday night about 2.5 feet above flood, affecting some streets along the river.

City officials are hoping to protect the city's electric generation plant which is just across the street from the river, along with Vinton's fire station where crews have been frantically bagging sand to hold the water back.

In Cedar Rapids, city crews set up pumps and installed wells over storm-sewers ahead of the Cedar River's crest, expected on Tuesday. The predicted crest of 17.3 feet will be 5.3 feet above flood stage.

The Mississippi River overflows in Davenport, Iowa. A loader moves sandbags to protect Modern Woodmen Park while a game is going on inside. The Centennial Bridge is in the background. April 27, 2008 (Photo credit unknown)

Early Tuesday morning, the Mississippi at Davenport is predicted to crest at 19.7 feet, about three feet higher than it was measured on Saturday.

In Davenport, several downtown streets were closed Saturday because of flooding.

"Anything that's in the Wapsipinicon River water shed is taking a pretty big hit right now," said Buchanan County Emergency Coordinator Rick Wulfekuhle.

The Wapsipinicon River crested at 15.15 feet in Independence early Saturday, three feet higher than the city's flood stage.

Some flash flooding occurred, as water levels rose in the Maquoketa and Wapsipinicon rivers.

Heavy rainfall across Iowa on the weekend played havoc with many municipal wastewater systems, particularly in the northern portions of the state.

Several cities reported having to pump excess water on Friday to relieve pressure on the system and prevent backups into homes and businesses.

Many other towns are bypassing to streams, and they are not required to report wet weather discharges until they submit their monthly reports to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Not all rainfalls qualify as non-reportable wet weather bypasses. Generally, rainfalls of less than two inches in one hour or 4.8 inches in 24 hours would not qualify, DNR officials say.

Also on the weekend, portions of Backbone State Park in Delaware County were closed due to flash flooding.

High water has closed the trout stream portion of the park along with the north, east and west gates. The campgrounds and cabin area has not been affected by the flooding.

It is anticipated that the flooding and subsequent clean up will keep the affected portions of the park closed through this week, but park officials hope to have it re-opened by the weekend of May 2-4.

Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2008. All rights reserved.