Cedar Rapids celebrated its 175th birthday in 2024. Iowa had been a state for barely two years when the new city was incorporated on Jan. 15, 1849. Of course, people had been living in the area for thousands of years before that happened. Archeologists have found evidence of habitation dating back 9,500 years. At least […]
cedar river
Posted inCommunity/News
USDA awards Cedar Rapids $7 million grant for water quality project
The City of Cedar Rapids will receive $7 million in funding from the federal government to improve water quality in the Cedar River. The city announced on Thursday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) selected its Cedar River Source Water Partnership (CRSWP) project as one of the recipients of its […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Cedar Rapids considers a major river recreation project
The City of Cedar Rapids is still considering plans to revitalize the Cedar River, possibly turning it into an amenity capable of attracting visitors from around the state and Midwest. At its April 13 meeting, the Cedar Rapids City Council received a presentation on a potential $14.6 million project that would modify the Five-in-One Dam […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Canoe the Cedar River
There are 18,000 miles of river trails in Iowa, but the Cedar River is easy to access, wide enough to maintain a safe physical distance from anyone else there and can be done in an afternoon. Getting started If you’re new to the canoe, take one on a lake or pond to practice balance, paddle […]
Posted inCommunity/News
ConnectCR raises more than $7 million to revitalize Cedar Lake and build the Smokestack Bridge across the Cedar River
ConnectCR, the community group working to bring new recreational opportunities to Cedar Rapids by revitalizing Cedar Lake and constructing a pedestrian bridge across the Cedar River, announced on Thursday it had surpassed it fundraising goal of $7 million. “I have been a big supporter of this project, and it’s just really exciting to see how […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Cedar Rapids announces road closures, other actions ahead of possible river flooding (Updated)
Update: The National Weather Service updated the Cedar River’s projected crest to just under 17 feet. On Tuesday afternoon, the city posted a list of 11 park and trail closures that will go into effect on Wednesday. Otis Road SE west of Indian Creek in Linn County was added as a future road closure. The […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Cedar Rapids seeking public input on possible new recreational opportunities on the Cedar River
For Cedar Rapidians who have long wished to canoe, tube or swim in the Cedar River, the opportunity might be getting closer. The City of Cedar Rapids is seeking input on potential recreational options, and residents have an opportunity to share their thoughts. Until Feb. 14, residents can take an online survey that will ask what they think about the Cedar River
Posted inCommunity/News
Open house seeks public input on fate of First and First West, and will provide update on west side flood control in Cedar Rapids
After accepting a casino just isn’t in the cards for First and First West, the city of Cedar Rapids is seeking public input on what to do with the downtown site. An open house on Tuesday, Nov. 12 will allow people a chance to speak out on what they would like to see on vacant land. The event will also feature information about the upcoming flood control projects on the west side of Cedar Rapids.
Posted inCommunity/News
National Weather Service issues its river flooding forecasts for spring
On Thursday, the National Weather Service (NWS) released it river flooding forecasts for spring. According to the NWS Advanced Hydrological Prediction Service, Iowa City shouldn’t see any river flooding during that period, but puts chances that the Cedar River will surge past flood levels in Cedar Rapids this spring at 25 to 50 percent. Flood […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Heightened flood risk remains for Eastern Iowa this spring
Iowa tributaries to the Mississippi River face above normal risks for flooding as predicted by the Davenport station of the National Weather Service Forecast Office (NWSFO). Their second spring outlook, released Mar. 3, notes that despite recent dry weather, wet soil across the state would quickly shed precipitation or snowmelt and contribute to flood conditions. […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Record levels in the Iowa and Cedar Rivers raise concern for spring flooding
The Cedar River and Iowa River set record levels this winter for streamflow (the amount of water flowing), for the Iowa River as measured at the Iowa City, Marengo and Wapello gauges. Based on current conditions, service hydrologist and meteorologist Jessica Brooks of the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Davenport said the “abnormally wet […]
