University provides Regents flood recovery status update

The University of Iowa provided the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, with an update on the campus flood recovery status. Highlights from the report—updated information on water levels at the Coralville Dam and in the Iowa River, building renovations, academic concerns, and insurance coverage and damage updates—can be found below.

The full text can be read by clicking here (pdf document).

fyi will continue to provide updates to UI faculty and staff as they become available.

Water levels

As of July 24, the level of Coralville Lake is 695 feet. The Army Corps of Engineers is releasing 8,000 cubic feet of water per second and the inflow is approximately 14,000 cubic feet of water per second. The spillway height is 712 feet; much of the reservoir’s flood storage capacity remains available.

Academic concerns

The Office of the Provost has reported that all general classes have been assigned locations for the fall semester. The University has leased space in several downtown locations for fall classes and is the process of acquiring or relocating teaching equipment—things such as audio-visual equipment, desks, and chairs.

The School of Music will be using space leased on South Clinton Street, and the Department of Theatre Arts will use space in Brewery Square on Linn Street. Cambus will provide service to the newly leased Menards space, which will house classes offered by the School of Art and Art History. Information Technology Services is working to assure that communications and Internet services are available at this location. 

Building renovation

The University awarded a contract to Miron Construction Co. of Cedar Rapids to restore the mechanical and electrical systems at the Adler Journalism Building and the Becker Communication Studies Building. Miron was the general contractor when the Adler Building was completed in 2005 and is now on site.

Bids for flood recovery work at the English-Philosophy Building (EPB) were received today. The apparent low bidder is Story Construction Co. of Ames. The University’s strategy is to do sufficient recovery work now to hold classes during the fall 2008 semester, and to complete additional essential recovery work during the next two years.

Remediation of the Mayflower Residence Hall continues. The air on the upper floors of Mayflower (floors 2-8) is now being conditioned by Mayflower’s own internal systems. A contract was awarded last week to restore two first-level apartments for residence hall supervisors; the contract was competitively bid. Representatives from FEMA examined the facility Friday, July 25.

Cleaning, demolition, and evaluation of mechanical and electrical systems continue in the Iowa Memorial Union, the Iowa Advanced Technology Labs, and buildings on the arts campus. 

Insurance coverage and damages

Representatives from FEMA are on campus to inspect flooded facilities. They started evaluations in Mayflower Residence Hall on Friday, July 25, and are scheduled to inspect the Power Plant this week. The University’s FEMA consultant, James Lee Witt Associates, will be assisting the University in this process.

University utilities

Temporary boilers 1 and 2, located at the Main Power Plant, will be energized during the early part of the week of July 28. They will be used to provide a redundant source of steam for the west campus, including UIHC. A redundant source of steam for the east campus is expected thereafter with IMU tunnel work to follow. Once online, the two temporary boilers will double the steam output now available on campus, adding a cumulative 110,000 pounds per hour.