Flooding in Iowa, June 1 to 30, 2000

June 2000 will be remembered as an unusually wet month with flooding on several rivers and tributaries. Much of Eastern Iowa averaged 2 to 4 inches above normal on rainfall. On June 1 the Wapsipinicon River was the first river to rise above flood stage, and brought moderate flooding to DeWitt. Crests recorded at DeWitt were 10.46 feet (on the 2nd), 10.92 feet (on the 8th) and 12.36 feet on July 7th. Other rivers, including the Rock and Cedar, quickly followed. These rises occurred in response to heavy rain falling during late May. Additional rain around June 10 resulted in additional rises in mid June, including the Mississippi, Cedar, Iowa, and Wapsipinicon. More heavy rain in mid to late June resulted in more rises, including the Cedar, Des Moines, Iowa, Mississippi, North Skunk, and Skunk.Moderate flooding occurred on the Cedar River at Conesville. Crests recorded at Conesville were 12.28 feet (on the 8th), 13.32 feet (on the 15th) and 13.71 feet (on the 22nd).Minor flooding occurred on the Mississippi River in response to the heavy rains and water from upstream. In the Quad Cities L/D 15, Illinois City L/D 16, Muscatine, New Boston L/D 17, Keithsburg, Oquawka, and Gladstone L/D 18 only minor impacts occurred. In Burlington and Keokuk, the industrial sections were protected by levees, and only minor impacts occurred with water encroaching into some parks and parking lots. The Mississippi River remained above flood stage at some points through the end of the month.Minor flooding also occurred on the Iowa River at Wapello. Crests recorded at Wapello were 20.31 feet (on the 16th) and 20.28 feet (on the 24th). Flooding of low-lying agricultural lands near the river occurred.