Structures upstream would control river

Look at the whole Cedar River Valley when considering flood control. Just building a flood wall in Cedar Rapids won't help with the flooding problems downstream. A better way would be constructing water retention structures and encouraging soil conservation measures on the land and tributaries of the Cedar River upstream. If we do that, a flood wall will not be needed in Cedar Rapids.

I grew up on a farm on the James River in South Dakota, so I know about flooding. My father did his part to reduce water runoff by building terraces and dams (with some government aid). I am willing to pay a little extra in taxes to fund water-retention methods upstream, but not for a flood wall in Cedar Rapids.

Stephen G. Larson

Cedar Rapids