The flooding is natural for this time of year, but last June's record flooding on the Cedar and Iowa Rivers has made many Eastern Iowa officials nervous. The Wellman City Council held a special meeting Sunday to discuss flood preparations.
The English River spilled out of its banks to swamp surrounding farm fields and smaller creeks were to blame for a number of gravel road closings in Washington County.
What appears to be a precarious site on Highway 1 on the south side of the English River is a home owned by Joe Beachy. Though flood waters have circled his 14-year-old home and a good portion of his backyard was submerged, Beachy said he wasn't worried Tuesday about his house floating away.
Beachy said the house was constructed after the 1993 record-breaking flood and additional fill dirt was added to bring the yard above that crest level. Though heavy rains can cause water problems in his basement, he added, it is taken care of by a sump pump.
He noted that while the front yard may look low, it is at the same elevation as A Avenue in Kalona.
Kalona flooding
The heavy rains over the weekend and Monday evening caused some minor street flooding in Kalona. Sunday there was considerable lowland flooding on the Mid-Prairie Middle School grounds when the underground drainage tube was unable to handle all the water. (See photo page 2A)Water spilled unto the athletic fields and nearly surrounded the building, but there was no water in the building.
City Administrator Doug Morgan said city crews spent much of Monday cleaning out the grate on the drainage tube and the drop basins at the city's storm sewers in the residential area.
Larry Christenson had cleaned leaves and other debris out of drop basins near his home on 10th Street on Sunday.
Rural flooding
The heavy rains caused County Engineer David Patterson of the Washington County Secondary Roads Depot. to place embargos on county roads and to close some 25 roads because of rivers and streams overflowing.
Following is a press release from the County Engineer regarding embargo and closed roads:
Washington County is placing a 5 ton vehicle embargo on certain roads to prevent damage from heavy loads during the spring thaw. The embargo, which began on Tuesday, initially includes the following roads:
Fir Avenue from G38 to Hwy 92
Ginkgo Avenue from G38 to Hwy 92
Underwood Avenue from 230th Street to G36
230th Street from Underwood Avenue to W64
Juniper Ave from G20 to 155th Street
Kiwi Ave from G20 to 155th Street
March through May is a common time for the county to post weight restrictions on county roadways because of the changing weather conditions. The restrictions are in effect whenever the signs are in place. The resolution used to enact the embargo allows the County to enforce the embargo for up to ninety days during the year.
County Engineer David Patterson explained that "the embargo is intended to minimize damage to key roads as the frost comes out during the spring by encouraging heavy loads to use alternate, paved routes."
The County Engineer's Office may issue special permit to allow vehicles in excess of 5 gross tons to operate on the embargoed roads. In order to obtain a permit an individual must demonstrate the need to move farm produce, commodities, or home heating fuel along the road. Individuals operating a vehicle over 5 tons on an embargoed road without a permit will be at the risk of being fined.
Embargo permits are available at www.washingtonroads.org or they may be obtained from the Washington County Engineer's Office. Information needed for the permit includes vehicles and owner information as well as the product and dates being hauled. For more information, please call (319) 653-7731.
Closed Roads
These roads were completely closed during the beginning of the week due to flooding.
Fir Ave south of Wellman
130th St southwest of Wellman
Hickory Ave south of Hwy 22
Kiwi Ave north of Hwy 22
110th St west between Juniper Ave and Kiwi Ave
130th St west of Hwy 1
Nutmeg Ave north of the English River
133rd St west of Nutmeg Ave
130th St west of the Riverside Rd
Willow Ave north of 130th St
230th St west of Larch Ave
Quince Ave south of 230th St
230th St west of Spruce Ave
305th St east of the Wayland Rd
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