Evening Glow of Quaker Oats Over the Quiet Cedar River

Just minutes after sunset, the glow of cereal mill Quaker Oats shines brightly over the placid Cedar River in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Look closely at the base of the main building - you can see a backhoe doing work. The cereal plant continues to make improvements in their floodwall as the city of Cedar Rapids determines what it needs to protect the homes and businesses along the river from future floods. This June will be 10 years since the great flood that severely impacted the city. Compare this April 2018 photo (above) of the plant with the view found at this link. Quaker Oats is located towards the top of the linked photo. 

Rising Cedar River Threatens Cedar Rapids Again

Workers at Penford Products move concrete barriers on top of earthwork levees yesterday along the rising Cedar River in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Almost five years to the week of the devastating flood of 2008, the Cedar is expected to reach 19.5 feet through downtown. The 2008 historic flood crested at 31 feet. City officials say that at 12 feet the river begins to reach streets and back up sewers.

From the same vantage point as the top two photos, you can see two bridges in the foreground. Behind the bridges is May's Island where the city jail sits along with the Veteran's Memorial Building. Vet's was the site of city government until the 2008 flood. Flood preparations are being executed in and around this area as the river continues to rise and the rains continue to fall.

Cedar River Ice Causes Flooding in Cedar Rapids

Thick ice on the Cedar River is breaking up, that's the good news. The bad news is that ice jams are creating local flooding. Yesterday the flood was at its highest in the northwest portion of the city, which is prone to seasonal rises of the river level. Residents living in the Ellis Park area are quite edgy about rising waters given the almost total devastation from the Flood of 2008.

Today flood viewers were massing near the Quaker Oats plant to see huge ice blocks stacked like arctic frozen flows.

At mid-afternoon the local news outlets reported the jam had given way and water levels were dropping in the flooded areas. At the same time national media reported the selection of Pope Francis. Maybe the two events are a coincidence. Maybe not.

National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library Moving Day

Nearly three years ago to the day (June 13th) the Cedar River flooded Cedar Rapids to heights not seen since the glaciers melted around 42N country a little over 10,000 years ago. One casualty that day three years ago was the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library. River water crested about halfway up this structure. Fast forward to today. After nearly two months of rain delays the museum rolled off its foundation and stopped 200 feet to the north in a move to relocate the structure.

The structure is being moved to its new home this week and will be lifted 11 feet atop a new parking structure. This allows for the building to remain in the city's Czech Village area and will minimize any possible future river flooding.

Structure mover, Jeremy Patterson and company from cable TV fame (TLC's Heavy Haulers) is here in Cedar Rapids with his talented crew to move the museum. The move is also being video tapped for a future show.

This afternoon the packed clay dirt was reinforced with steel plates. These will serve as a road to pivot the museum from its present location to its new home.

Crews worked this extremely hot afternoon by turning 40-some wheel pods 90 degrees in preparation of arching the path of the building in the next phase of moving the museum. A severe thunderstorm this evening may delay the pivoting on Thursday but the project will move forward. Know that.

Calm Crunching Along the Cedar River

Twight on the Cedar River in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Across the now calm river (not the out of control flood of 2008 river) is the iconic cityscape. Quaker Oats manufactures among other things Capt'n Crunch cereal from corn and oats at this plant. During the flood of 2008, boat houses dislodged from nearby Ellis Park floated downriver to be caught by this bridge which was being reinforced by parked railroad cars. Flood video here and here.

Last evening (two and 1/2 years later) the river was almost completely calm and within its banks - invoking the thought - what flood? Oh its impact is still being dealt with by the city's residents and government. But on this night at this location the river is calm. Know that.

End of the 1908 Trinity Methodist Church - For Now

On Wednesday, April 15th the last remaining portion of the Trinity Methodist Church, the bell tower, was taken down in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Demolition workers pried the remaining two door jams off their frames early in the morning before removing engraved stone work - and presumably the 1908 time capsule. The 101 year old church was a victim of the June 2008 flood of the Cedar River which poured five feet of water into the sanctuary. Know that.

Good Friday Demolition Day for Trinity Methodist Church

On Good Friday, April 10, 2009 demolition crews took down most of the 101-year old Trinity Methodist Church sanctuary near downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa. All that stands until Monday (one day after Easter) is the church's bell tower. Inside the tower structure is a time capsule placed during the 1908 construction. The capsule will be retrieved, the tower will be pushed down, and the debris will be removed.

Trinity Methodist Church has been holding services in its administration offices adjacent to the church building. The church was severely damaged in the June 2008 flood of Cedar Rapids. The city plans a number of high water prevention methods to help keep downtown out of any future floods. With Grand Forks, ND serving as a model of how to protect a city, many Cedar Rapids officials were on hand in Grand Forks over the past weeks to see how multi-million dollar flood deterrent engineering worked when threatened.

Trinity Methodist's congregation is committed to rebuild a sanctuary on the site. All the media attention given to the building's demise is generally framed as a victim of last year's flood. However the congregation sees the situation as the rebirth theme of the Easter season. Know that.

Chrome Horse Saloon Opens After 2008 Flood

The Chrome Horse Saloon opened on March 13, 2009 some nine months after the 2008 historic flood of the Cedar River. As a successful night spot the live music, bar and restaurant venue attracted a lot of people last night just in time for the St. Patrick's Day celebration next week. The 42N crew had lunch at the Horse today to help welcome the saloon back to the community. The Cedar River is located just two blocks away. Look how high the water level had been (some 8 -10 feet high judging from the white leaching bricks) in the photos below of the Chrome Horse on June 22, 2008 - a week after the crest. Know that.

Trinity Methodist Church Set for Demolition - Victim of the Cedar Rapids 2008 Flood

June 2008's historic level flood of the Cedar River in Cedar Rapids, Iowa continues to take its toll on the city in many ways. Demolition of the century old Trinity Methodist Church near downtown is scheduled to occur in the next two weeks. Five feet of mud and water entered the church and caused more damage than the cost to replace according to church officials. The water line on the door can be seen in the photo above. Salvage teams reclaimed the stained glass windows and other less damaged items from the church recently. Rev. Robert Dennert, the church's pastor several years ago helped celebrate many good times in the sanctuary. Those images endure. Know that.