URBANA, Iowa (KCRG) – What happens upstream of Cedar Rapids can make the flood protection along the Cedar River vary.
Farmers’ willingness to divert runoff from the river is also another key factor.
Determining the best location for drainage basins or new ponds to slow water runoff could get a boost from what’s called “geological mapping.”
On Thursday the Iowa Geological Survey demonstrated a truck-mounted drilling rig that can collect soil samples up to 50 feet deep in Urbana.
Knowing what’s underground can show what should or shouldn’t be built in the watershed upstream from Cedar Rapids.
“They have funding available to come out and do soil cores. It’s great data for research also our watershed project as well,” Adam Rodenberg, the Middle Cedar Watershed Coordinator said.
Rodenberg says grants are available to farmers to create natural solutions to hold back water and lessen flooding risks.
People who take advantage of the help from underground mapping could save up to 90 percent of the cost.
Watch the full news story on KCRG TV-9 News, “Geological mapping could help flood relief plans in the future”
