Plan for Riverine Flooding

Having a flood plan is essential when considering Davenport's open riverfront and relationship with the Mississippi River.  While Davenport has set some boundaries for the Mississippi to protect assets and promote travel, in simplest terms, the plan allows the Mississippi to do what it has always done naturally; spread out over the land as it flows downstream.  Minor activities begin at just 10 FT and increase in size and significance as the river rises. More importantly, the plan is flexible and implemented as needed based on predicted and known river levels, and other factors, including regional weather forecasts.

Objective of the City of Davenport Flood Plan

The objective of the City of Davenport’s Flood Plan is to reduce flood impact and to promote safe, efficient travel in the city, to the extent possible, during times of riverine flooding by:

• Continually evaluating flood risk reduction methods and activities that reduce flood risk of city facilities, infrastructure, and utilities;
• Installing and maintaining permanent and/or temporary flood risk reduction measures identified to mitigate risk to city facilities, infrastructure, and utilities;
• Implementing risk reduction measures that support access, where feasible and safe, to riverfront locations;
• Implementing risk reduction measures that support safe, efficient travel within the city;
• Connecting private property owners located in the floodplain with information and resources regarding flood risk, responsibilities, and available support services;
• Educating the public about the hazards of engaging with floodwaters and ways to stay safe during riverine flood conditions.

As a flexible plan, in all cases, the type and level of protection installed is based on the projected river level, flood protection measure design and limitation, wave action, future weather, fiscal responsibility, and consult with the National Weather Service. In addition, risks associated with mitigation measures and possible damage to the surface, above and underground infrastructure and utilities, are also considered.

The City employs quality control standards in flood-fighting efforts. However, it should be acknowledged no flood mitigation or protection measure is full proof, even locating outside of the floodplain.

While some flood risk reduction measures, by virtue of placement, reduce risk to private property, such placement shall not be construed as city effort, responsibility, or guarantee to protect private property. Such placement situations do not absolve private property owners from mitigating flood risk. City placed flood risk reduction measures are only set to protect public property, infrastructure, or to maintain travel to the extent possible within the city.