Loebsack, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers host forum on flood concerns

CORALVILLE - Democratic Rep. Dave Loebsack discussed flood control at the Coralville Lake with about 50 constituents Saturday at Coralville City Hall.

Nearly everyone on hand agreed that flood control should be the top priority of the dam, especially as development and recreation make the lake a regional destination.

Jim Stiman, chief of water control for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, said the Coralville Lake water level is at about 704 feet, eight feet below the point where water goes over the spillway.

Stiman said about 40 percent of the flood capacity remains, “so we are in good shape.”

But Mary Sturm of Iowa City, who lives in the Parkview Terrace neighborhood, just downstream from the reservoir, said she still has concerns. Sturm rebuilt her property after the flood of 2008.

“Now that we're rebuilt, I am wondering if it's time for us to take a buyout,” said Sturm, a 25-year-resident of the area.

Stiman said getting excess water out of the Coralville Dam and managing the water level is a balancing act. The Corps maintains that taking out too much water can have a negative effect on marine life, bank erosion and maintenance of vibrant recreation.

Christine Hochstedler, who also lives downstream, said the needs of the property owners along the waterway should come first.

“It's very hard for me to worry about recreation and about the fish kill when you see all of the property damaged and people displaced,” said Hochstedler, who has lived there since 1982.

The current water levels, while not approaching the record levels of 2008, are apparent to many visitors at Coralville Lake. For example, water is spilling through the playground at the West Overlook Campgrounds.

Loebsack, Stiman and others said communication between the government agencies has improved sharply after the high-water experiences of 1993 and 2008.

Despite her uncertainty on what to do next, Sturm said the forum would help her come to a decision.

“I think it's influenced my decision on whether to stay in the neighborhood,” said Sturm.

-By Chris Earl, KCRG-TV9