How is it that a river’s level can be measured at three feet, but the stream is so shallow, rocks are visible? The Gazette spoke with Quad Cities National Weather Service Hydrologist Matt Wilson to answer one curious Iowan’s question.
The origin of two vehicles found submerged in the Cedar River near the I Ave boat ramp will remain a mystery after the Johnson County Dive Team and the Cedar Rapids Fire Department were unable to remove them from the water Tuesday.
An Iowa DNR representative did not respond to Gazette inquiries about why the process has been delayed beyond the timeline previously estimated by a DNR water quality supervisor.
The Cedar Rapids-based team beat four other teams, including the Muskego (Wisconsin) Water Bugs by four points out of more than 1,300 points awarded.
Family members and first responders gathered Thursday in Palisades-Kepler State Park to remember Zyah Thomas on the anniversary of her death and talk about ways to prevent future drownings on Iowa waterways.
The city of Cedar Rapids will soon launch its process of refreshing the master plan guiding development of the approximately 130-acre greenway along the west side of the Cedar River. The City Council has signed off on a $262,800 contract with a consultant to help.
Citizens are banding together to refresh the garden in Ellis Park that honors iconic English playwright and poet William Shakespeare. It’ll have enhanced structures and natural preservation elements in the coming years.
Cedar Rapids, part of three watershed management authorities, gives tens of thousands of dollars annually toward flood mitigation efforts.
The Izaak Walton League led efforts in the watershed, collaborating with Cedar Rapids staff in some locations
Among a wave of U.S. cities redesigning their municipal flags, Cedar Rapids’ recently revamped flag was deemed one of the 25 best new designs in the nation. The previous flag was considered one of the worst in the nation before its 2021 redesign.
Human remains that were found in the Cedar River last week have been identified as Erik Spaw, a Cedar Rapids employee who went missing last summer.
Hunters made the discovery near the water treatment facility on Friday.
“You don’t often get the chance to reprogram 130 acres in the middle of your city,” council member Tyler Olson said of the effort to craft a greenway plan to transform the 130-acre space along the west side of the Cedar River.
This marks the first time the DNR has proposed to withdraw such a plan.
Cedar Rapids is one step closer to protecting Czech Village from rising Cedar River waters with a massive $27.2 million pump station that will transport rainfall runoff from Czech Village over a levee and into the river.
© 2025 The Gazette | All Rights Reserved.
Daily Newsletters