Indian Creek Flood Recovery Support Team

Good morning campers, rise and shine! We thought you would appreciate seeing this: here is a birds-eye computer model of the forthcoming pollinator project for the Sun Valley 100-year flood plain which currently is a multi-purpose public-use green belt. This plan would decrease erosion, improve water-quality, protect native plant,animal and fish species and help reduce floods through water-retention and soil-stability. These plans will also save thousands of dollars for the City of Cedar Rapids thru drastic reductions in maintenance costs (paying to mow that grass adds up fast). However it does mean giving up some park land that is often used by the general public for games, runners and dog-walkers. Over the coming weeks and months we are sure to hear back and forth input from the public about this and the city planners and look forward to seeing any plans which will further protect this neighborhood from any future flooding. We just hope everyone takes a moment to remember that the work to fully protect a home, or entire neighborhood, from flooding takes time and cooperation from government and home-owners. And in Cedar Rapids, there is a lot of people that could use this level of cooperation, input and projects from the Cedar Rapids city council. As flood victims, we hope that this is just the beginning of many flood control plans across the city.

Did you forget it was Election Day yesterday?! Check out KCRG for all the election results, including for CR City Council where flood control advocates were reelected last night: http://www.kcrg.com/subject/news/incumbents-reign-in-cedar-rapids-election-20151103

Incumbents reign in Cedar Rapids election | News | KCRG-TV9 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa News, Sports,... CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The Cedar Rapids City Council will look a little different after Tuesday's election but not because any incumbents lost.

We do not usually advocate for marriage when talking about flood recovery, but the giant frog statue at the entrance to the Sac and Fox trail has been appropriately decorated by Sun Valley-CR flood victims to honor today's Supreme Court decision legalizing marriage equality.

Hate crimes against flood vicitms?! As united flood victims, community advocates Iowans and friends and family of flood victims, we need to help each other recover in many ways, a process that is not always easy. This act of vandalism and hate is not what we want to see represent the greater community of flood supporters and Cedar Rapids. Our thoughts are with this family and we hope that people will come forward with any information about who acted out of hate and fear. http://www.kcrg.com/subject/news/potential-hate-crime-threats-cover-walls-in-a-home-under-repair-20150624

Potential “hate crime” threats cover walls in a home under repair | KCRG-TV9 | Cedar Rapids,... CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa- An Iowa City man rehabbing a flood-damaged home in Cedar Rapids fears he may be the target of a hate crime.

We thought everyone should know that we are fine, the *berm* is fine and the waters are out of the banks, but stabilizing around Cottage Grove Pkwy. http://www.kcrg.com/subject/news/flash-floodwaters-go-down-but-mess-remains-20150612

Flash floodwaters go down, but mess remains | KCRG-TV9 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa News, Sports, and... CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa- Flash floodwater that swamped Cedar Rapids city streets overnight Thursday drained away quickly. But it did manage to leave a mess behind. And that includes almost a dozen cars that stalled out on streets by trying to drive through high water.

Happy Manic Monday! We have been taking a break because there hasn't been much Indian Creek flood news lately, but we did get an update today we wanted to share with ya! We have learned that CR officials are moving forward slowly with plans for further flash-flood management projects to be constructed in 2016. These projects will protect more homeowners in the Sun Valley neighborhood who are currently on the edge of the 500-yr flood plain. Discussions are also continuing about how best to protect homeowners along Fox Meadow and Deep Woods Ct who experience mud and rock washouts from the heavy runoff from East Post Rd. We are continually thankful and pleased to know that officials are listening to the concerns of our local homeowners and finding ways to protect homes and improve the long-term outlook for neighborhoods continually affected by Indian Creek flooding. Great start to June!

Happy Earth Day! Remember, every day should be earth day, if you want to leave this planet in better shape than you found it. "Be the change you wish to see in the world" M.K. Ghandi

We hope everyone saw this great article in Sunday's Cedar Rapids Gazette! So proud that CR-city leaders are meeting with our flood victims even as the last of the Indian Creek flood projects are completed! Way to go team, enjoy: http://thegazette.com/subject/news/after-13-years-sun-valley-neighborhood-gets-flash-flood-fix-20150416

After 13 years, Sun Valley neighborhood gets flash-flood fix | TheGazette Eastern Iowa Breaking News and Headlines | thegazette.com - Cedar Rapids, Iowa City

Hopefully this won't make you too downhearted, progress was needed to help control ongoing flood concerns and to help stop future flooding by Indian Creek of the Sun Valley neighborhood in SE Cedar Rapids. Although we are indeed sad to see so many mature trees that were cut down by CR City crews, it was a necessary step in the right direction to help finally provide a permanent solution to this neighborhood's long-standing flooding. We look forward to the upcoming spring planting season to make these flood projects more attractive and in keeping with the spirit of the adjacent Sac and Fox nature trail. Enjoy!

Exciting news! We are planning something pretty cool to celebrate Earth Day, Arbor Day, EcoFest2015 and the spring planting of the NEW Indian Creek flood projects! Shhh, stay tuned!

Hellloooo spring! Ok, so it's still officially winter, but even with 10 days left before Spring officially arrives on our calendars, it is never too early(-bird-gets-the-worm) to start your Spring planting! Check out what Alliant Energy users can do to celebrate Spring! http://www.alliantenergy.com/CommunityInvolvement/CommunityOutreach/OperationReLeaf/index.htm

www.alliantenergy.com

Spring is just around the corner! And with spring comes the renewed possibilities of flooding across Iowa. We are thankful for groups like Mathew 25 which help Linn Co- flood victims recover from past flooding events, please read up on their new push when you can! Have a great week! http://www.kcrg.com/subject/news/matthew-25-launches-capital-campaign-20150310

Matthew 25 launches capital campaign A Cedar Rapids non-profit is launching a capital campaign Tuesday. Matthew 25 wants to empower people to transform neighborhoods. The organization helped restore residential areas following the flood with its block by block initiative and has a number of other programs. Matthew 25 is launching a cap…