Anyone from Iowa lurking here?

Question

Anyone from Iowa lurking here?I'm puzzled by the flooding in Iowa.I grew up in Huntington, West Virginia, which was extensively floodedin the late 1930's (Ohio River).So they built a flood wall, which is still in use today.In fact I note that one flood gate is in place today because the OhioRiver is up to 28' but, due to the flood walls, flood stage is 50', sothere's not a worry at all.Why, after all the flooding that regularly occurs in Iowa, haven'tthey built such a system?                                        ...Jim Thompson-- | James E.Thompson, P.E.                           |    mens     || Analog Innovations, Inc.                         |     et      || Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems  |    manus    || Phoenix, Arizona  85048    Skype: Contacts Only  |             || Voice:(480)460-2350  Fax: Available upon request |  Brass Rat  || E-mail Icon at  |    1962     |                      America: Land of the Free, Because of the Brave

James Arthur · Accepted Answer

They had levees, but they failed.A lot of these agricultural areas are built in flood plains to take advantage of the rich, alluvial soil.  But, of course, how did that soil get there...?  (before global warming, that is.)Cheers,James Arthur

Jim Thompson · Answer

The levees in Huntington are actually reinforced concrete walls withdirt levees on both sides, plus small-crane-insertable concrete panelswhich were then sand-bagged during flood stage.  Huntington hasn'tsuffered any damage since 1939.I know all about that... my Grandfather Godwin owned a strip of landalong the Ohio River (Proctorville, OH) where he planted corn, but thefarm house and barn were on high ground.                                        ...Jim Thompson-- | James E.Thompson, P.E.                           |    mens     || Analog Innovations, Inc.                         |     et      || Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems  |    manus    || Phoenix, Arizona  85048    Skype: Contacts Only  |             || Voice:(480)460-2350  Fax: Available upon request |  Brass Rat  || E-mail Icon at  |    1962     |                      America: Land of the Free, Because of the Brave

Anyone from Iowa lurking here?

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