Waterloo Levee System Fully Certified, Restoring Federal Flood Protection

When your city is on the river, flood protection is crucial. And we all know the mighty Cedar River has been known to flood.

That's why news of flood protection is particularly good news for one major Eastern Iowa city.

Waterloo's Levee System is Fully Active

The City of Waterloo is celebrating a major milestone in flood protection. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has confirmed that the city’s levee system is fully active once again and eligible for federal flood protection programs.

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For residents and businesses, the certification means renewed peace of mind. The levees holding back the Cedar River are in good working order.

In the event of major flooding, Waterloo will qualify for federal emergency repair assistance, potentially saving taxpayers millions of dollars.

READ MORE: These Iowa Counties Have the Worst Bridges in the State

The achievement comes after years of planning and construction. In 2016, the Army Corps identified deficiencies in the sanitary sewer gatewells that threatened the levees’ certification.

Waterloo Was at Risk Of Losing Federal Recovery Aid

Without corrective action, Waterloo risked losing eligibility for federal recovery aid, putting thousands of homes and businesses in jeopardy.

In response, the City partnered with AECOM engineers and Woodruff Construction to complete a two-phase upgrade project in 2022 and 2024.

By splitting the work, the City kept costs to just over $8 million, which is significantly below the original estimates.

Mayor Quentin Hart praised the milestone, saying,

This isn’t just about levees and engineering; it’s about protecting people. Our residents can rest easier knowing the Cedar River levees are strong, certified, and backed by federal protection. This is a win for the future of Waterloo.

The improvements were supported by the Iowa DNR’s State Revolving Fund loan program, which also allowed Waterloo to reinvest in green infrastructure projects like the new Sunnyside wet pond and detention basin, now under construction.

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While the East and Northwest levees are now fully compliant, work continues on the Southwest segment, which is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025.

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