Waterloo Dam Deflation
At the request of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the City of Waterloo will begin to deflate the bladder dam October 19, 2020. This is a change from previous deflation that occurred on about October 31st of each year in a 24-hour period. The DNR now requests the deflation occur more slowly over a period of about one-month. This change in operations will have the dam being deflated approximately 2.5 inches per day, Monday through Friday. The dam should be completely deflated by November 16, 2020.
River biologists have requested the change in dam operations in response to previous fall drawdowns that have caused mass stranding of freshwater mussels on exposed river bottom.
“We appreciate the City of Waterloo’s cooperation as well as the many Cedar River users that may be impacted by this change in operations”, said Dan Kirby with the Iowa DNR. Boaters can expect the impoundment behind the dam to have lower water levels than previous years during October, but water levels will be slightly higher than previous years during the first weeks of November. These impacts will be limited to the area immediately above the dam.
If you have questions concerning mussel stranding, please contact Dan Kirby at (563)-927-3276 for additional information.
Other questions should be directed to Wayne Castle in the City Engineer’s office, (319) 291-4312.