Photo By James Finn | Rock Island District Commander Col. Aaron Williams and Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany...... read more read more
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, and the city of Cedar Rapids marked a major milestone in long-term flood protection efforts with a ribbon cutting ceremony for the McLoud Run segment of the Cedar Rapids Flood Control System.
The ceremony, held in late August near Iowa’s only urban trout stream, celebrated the completion of a floodwall, trail bridge, shared-use path, and enhanced fishing access — infrastructure that provides both critical flood protection and valuable recreational opportunities.
“Protecting the natural McLoud Run waterway was a critical design priority,” said Col. Aaron Williams, Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District. “This segment isn’t just about preventing floods; it’s about preserving a valuable natural resource within the community while providing robust flood protection.”
The newly completed section of the East Side Flood Control System includes a concrete floodwall standing 8 feet tall and stretching 1,055 feet to protect adjacent businesses along McLoud Run. Built using 2,065 cubic yards of concrete and 150 tons of steel reinforcement, the wall forms a vital component in the city’s ongoing effort to mitigate flood risks from both the Cedar River and local watershed runoff.
Alongside the floodwall, a 150-foot-long pre-engineered steel truss trail bridge spans McLoud Run, connecting a new segment of the Cedar Valley Nature Trail. The shared-use amenities also include a 1,400-foot concrete path and a 625-foot granular fishing trail, increasing public access to the stream’s unique natural features.
“The trail bridge, fishing path, and shared-use path aren’t simply recreational amenities,” Col. Williams said during the ceremony. “They’re integral to connecting the community with this revitalized area. While these features enhance quality of life, the underlying floodwall directly supports the greater flood risk reduction efforts of the entire East Side protection system.”
Andrew Leichty, Program Manager for the Cedar Rapids Flood Risk Management (FRM) Project, described the ribbon cutting as a significant moment in a process that’s spanned nearly two decades.
“A lot of people have been a part of the Cedar Rapids Flood Risk Management Project over the past 17 years,” Leichty said. “It takes great perseverance by all involved to overcome obstacles and keep working step by step to bring this project to completion. The McLoud Run celebration was a great opportunity for the team and stakeholders to come together and celebrate this achievement, even as we continue to push forward.”
Currently, the overall FRM project is just over 50% complete. According to Leichty, continued progress is made possible by a strong working relationship with local partners.
“We’ve developed a strong and collaborative working relationship with the city of Cedar Rapids,” he said. “That partnership has been critical to the success we’ve seen so far — and it will be just as important as we complete the rest of the project.”
While flood protection is the central focus of the system, public amenities have been intentionally woven into the project’s design. The McLoud Run segment is a clear example of blending flood infrastructure with outdoor access and environmental restoration.
“Flood protection and community enrichment can go hand in hand,” Leichty said. “For example, part of the levee in Reach 1 will serve as a bike path, connecting with the popular 67-mile Cedar Valley Nature Trail. Downtown, near the Tree of Five Seasons, the floodwall itself will also become a community space — with an overlook that encourages people to reconnect with the river.”
The event was attended by local stakeholders and federal partners, including representatives from the offices of Senator Chuck Grassley, Senator Joni Ernst, and Congresswoman Ashley Hinson — all recognized by Col. Williams during his speech.
“Your continued support has been instrumental in bringing this critical project to fruition for the city of Cedar Rapids,” he said.
As work continues on other portions of the flood control system, the McLoud Run segment stands as a model of multi-purpose design: flood protection, environmental conservation, and public access — all delivered through strong collaboration.
For more details on the Cedar Rapids Flood Risk Management Project, visit: https://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/missions/flood-risk-management/cedar-rapids/.
| Date Taken: | 09.18.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.18.2025 13:13 |
| Story ID: | 548601 |
| Location: | CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA, US |
| Web Views: | 19 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Ribbon Cutting Celebrates Flood Protection and Recreation Upgrades, by James Finn, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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