Iowa DNR gives award to Iowa City flood project

A cleanup effort in Iowa City following the 2008 flood is being recognized by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

The Iowa River Cleanup Partnership was to receive the '2009 IOWATER Watershed Group of the Year' award at a ceremony Saturday in Ames.

Carol Sweeting, Iowa City's storm water volunteer coordinator, was to accept the award on behalf of the partnership.

Following the flood, Sweeting began organizing the removal of flood debris from the river banks and land along the Iowa River. Over 15 months, nearly 1,000 volunteers collected 146 tons of trash and wood debris along 14 miles of the river, according to Rick Fosse, the city's public works director.

The partnership included numerous organizations and individuals, including some who came from out of state.