07/31/23
We have two project updates on implementation of the multi-year Flood Resilience Study.  One for the Marquette St and River Dr area, and one for other Riverfront storm sewer improvements and road raises. 

• A Final Public Notice and Comment Period for the City's application for FEMA Legislative Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant under the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is currently open as part of consideration of a grant for storm sewer improvements and potential road raise at Marquette and River Dr. The fifteen-day comment period ends August 15, 2023.  Public Comments may be submitted to FEMA. Find the full Final Public Notice and contact information at this link.
• Davenport was not selected for the RAISE Grant application submitted for riverfront storm sewer and road raise projects. 

Find more details on both projects at the links below. 

09/19/23
A grant to perform work adjacent to Black Hawk and Walnut Creeks could benefit the area. While not directly related to the earthen berms, the project would remove sediments from Credit Island Slough and educe sedimentation occurring at the confluence between the Mississippi River and Black Hawk Creek, increasing capacity and reducing flood risk. See the Credit Island tab for additional details.

12/09/22

Staff is the planning stage for implementation of Phase Two, clearing and repair. Work is expected to begin in the spring of 2023. Once complete, a new maintenance schedule will be implemented.

04/28/22
Phase One clearing along the Black Hawk and Walnut Creek berms is complete. Engineering is underway for Phase Two repairs. Work under Phase Two is tentatively scheduled to begin in the fall of 2022.

03/15/22
Maintenance of the berms along Black Hawk and Walnut Creeks is long overdue. The City is currently working to remove overgrown weeds, brush and scrub trees, and relocate burrowing animals, all of which threaten the structure's integrity. This work is expected to be complete in early April.

After clearing is complete, the berms will be inspected and condition assessment performed to prioritize any needed repairs.

09/19/23
The City of Davenport has submitted an application through the United States Army Corps of Engineers to restore Credit Island Slough. This project would address the continued sedimentation of the slough, help manage an invasive species (Asian carp), reduce flood risk for Blackhawk Creek and the surrounding neighborhoods, prevent repeated flood damage of the causeway, and open recreational uses of the slough, among other benefits. The City of Davenport is hoping to partner with the USACE to determine, plan, design, and implement solutions.

09/19/23
The projects identified for improved flood resiliency and transportation efficiency during times of flooding have been submitted for a PROTECT grant from the Federal Highway Administration. If awarded, the grant would provide $13.1 million of funding toward the $16.4 million project.

07/31/23
A second application for grant funds through the RAISE program was submitted by staff early 2023. The City has recently been informed it was not awarded funds under the program.  Staff will debrief with the panel and currently looking to potentially pursuing PROTECT funds for this essential project. 

12/09/22
After making it through several rounds, the City was informed it was not approved for this year’s grant cycle. Reviewers provided great feedback that will bolster a second submission in the spring of 2023.

07/01/22
Davenport submitted the RAISE grant on April 13, 2022. The City should find out if it is awarded the grant in the fall/winter of 2022.

03/16/22
Davenport City Council approved submission of the $15.9M RAISE grant. 

03/15/22
Davenport City Council will consider authorizing staff to pursue a $15.9M US Department of Transportation RAISE Grant for infrastructure improvements that support flood resilience on Wednesday, March 16. The total project application is estimated at $19.9M; 80% of the eligible cost would be paid under the grant if awarded. The City's cost-share is estimated at $3.9M.

• Projects proposed under the grant support the following goals:
  Maintaining access to River Drive until the Mississippi River reaches stage 17.5 FT with little to no staff intervention/response
• Establishes a permanent flood detour route to river stage 22 FT once River Drive has been closed due to floodwaters
• Ensures interstate access to the Centennial and Government Bridges during flood events greater than 22 FT river stage

Projects that would be completed under the grant include:

•  Storm Sewer Improvements at River Drive and Marquette Street
• Road Raises on Rockingham Road from Sturdevant to Marquette Street
• Road Raise on River Drive near Mound Street
• Road Raise at the intersection of 2nd Street and Gaines Street
• Road Raise at the intersection of 3rd Street and LeClaire Street
• Repair of various sections of roadway on Rockingham Road and Marquette Street
• Reconfiguration of the 3rd & 4th Street intersections on River Drive
• Installation of new traffic signals at the following intersections, 2nd and Marquette, 3rd and River Drive, 4th and River Drive  

RAISE Grant
Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grants are federally awarded funding for surface transportation infrastructure projects. They are awarded on a competitive basis for projects that will have a significant local or regional impact. The eligibility requirements of RAISE allow project sponsors at the State and local levels to obtain funding for multi-modal, multi-jurisdictional projects that are more difficult to support through traditional DOT programs.

Projects submitted for RAISE grant funding are evaluated based on: how innovative they are; how well they will enhance safety and quality of life for people; and how well they support economic competitiveness and environmental sustainability of localities and regions. Within these criteria, the USDOT will prioritize funding projects that can demonstrate improvements to racial equity, reduce impacts of climate change and create good-paying jobs.

Find the grant application document and details at this link. 

12/09/22
This project is expected to be released for bid in March of 2023.  Watch for details when construction begins.

06/30/22
One of the key early projects identified in the Flood Resiliency Study is flood mitigation on River Drive between 3rd and Carey. The City is using ARPA funding to advance the project and engineering is underway. The project will involve storm sewer system improvements that will prevent flood waters from inundating the area through the underground sewer system; which is what currently occurs.

07/31/23
In April 2023, Davenport City Council approved submission of a FEMA Legislative Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant under the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for storm sewer improvements and a potential road raise at River Dr and Marquette St to keep the intersection open longer and without operational intervention/cost during Mississippi River flooding and heavy rain events.

The grant request is currently under review. In consideration of the grant, a fifteen-day comment period has been opened beginning July 31, 2023 through August 15, 2023.  Public Comments may be submitted to FEMA. Find the full Final Public Notice and contact information at this link.

The total cost of the project is estimated at roughly $1.69 million. With Federal grant funds of roughly $1.27 million and State grant funds of $169 thousand, the City’s cost-share for the work would be $253 thousand.

Watch for updates on the grant and project this fall.

This project is one of the key early implementation projects identified in the Flood Resiliency Study accepted by Council in 2021.

12/09/22

FEMA has requested a supplemental archaeological study based on the flood defense structures to be placed. The City does not expect to hear back on the application to FEMA until early 2023.

06/30/22
As required by FEMA, a phase one environmental and archaeological study is underway. Once the study is complete in the fall, the City should hear back on the its application to FEMA for flood resilience improvements at the facility. 

03/15/22
In 2019, the failure of temporary flood barriers led to the flooding of the City's historic Union Station. Cleanup was performed and electrical raised shortly after. The City has been working through the FEMA Public Assistance process to fund the installation of a structural berm on the south side of the building to improve the flood resilience of the facility. The City believes the project will be approved and constructed in 2022.

12/09/22
Davenport's work to improve the City's resilience to floods will continue for several years. Find updates on current projects at the links below. 

06/30/22
Davenport has been busy.  Find updates all Union Station, the berms at Black Hawk and Walnut Creeks, the RAISE grant a new project underway at the links below. 

03/16/22
Davenport City Council approved submission of a $15.9M RAISE grant for several flood resilience projects. Find details about the grant and the projects at the tab below. 

03/15/22
Following the historic floods of 2019, the City contracted a flood study to help identify structural and non-structural enhancements to the City's flood response and defense systems. The study was approved by Council in November 2021 after nearly two years of data collection, analysis, stakeholder, and public input.

Planning for implementation began immediately and is now underway. Most initial activities will be focused on underground infrastructure, minor road raises, and repairs to existing structural flood defense systems in poor repair. Targeting these initial improvements comes with considerable benefits, including more efficient response and reduced resource needs during times of flood.

Use this page to follow along as the City strengthens its response to riverfront flooding.  Be aware full implementation of the recommendations identified in the study will require significant funding and take time to implement.