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COUNCIL BLUFFS — Government officials and area residents are confident that a dam north of Council Bluffs will prevent rising water from flooding the city.
“There’s nothing wrong with that dam,” said Doug Reed of Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Agency. “We don’t have any immediate concerns about that dam failing. We’ve got folks that monitor that dam, and we’re not getting any indication for flooding.”
“It’s structurally sound,” said Jeff Theulen, the county’s emergency management coordinator.
The earthen dam is located about two miles north of the northeast edge of the city near Honeysuckle Road. It controls the amount of water going into Indian Creek, which runs along North Broadway and directly into downtown.
The dam was strengthened over the past few years to make it sturdier, officials said.
“I think everybody is confident that it is in good shape,” County Supervisor Roger Williams said.
“The chance of that dam breaking is very slim,” said fellow Supervisor Loren Knauss.
The only spot in the county where water may top its banks is on the Nishnabotna River near U.S. Highway 59, according to Reed. However, the Nishnabotna River is expected to crest at 13.4 feet, just below its flood stage of 14 feet, he said.
Reed said the Missouri River should not rise any higher than 10 feet below its identified flood stage, according to his latest information.
Residents around the dam and downstream aren’t stressed about it either.
“People around here aren’t concerned about it,” said Betty Ranney, who lives with her husband on Mudhollow Road and owns land directly in the potential flood path.
The dam held a 10-inch downpour several years ago, so it should handle any remaining snow melt or storm, she said.
“I’m not worried about it,” Ranney said.
Frank Brabec, who resides along Indian Creek by Coit Road, said he has never experienced a flood in the years he has lived there.
“Not in 40 years,” he said. “That creek handles a tremendous amount of water. I’m not concerned about flooding. Even when there were no dams upstream, there was no flooding.
“That creek holds water volumes better than any other creek in the county.”
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