Slick Plastic Sheeting Caused Flood Barrier Failure

Engineers say a flood barrier breach in Iowa was caused by pressure from the swollen Mississippi River shifting a barrier with slick plastic sheeting under it.

Jul 17, 2019

In this Friday, May 3, 2019 aerial file photo of Davenport, Iowa, the Figge Art Museum and the SkyBridge are surrounded by Mississippi River flood waters. Officials in the eastern Iowa city say the city is building a bigger flood barrier in the wake of an April breach that sent floodwaters rushing into downtown streets. Davenport City Administrator Corri Spiegel tells the Quad-City Times that the city will build larger flood walls when there is a high probability the river cresting above 21 feet. Days after the last temporary barrier broke on April 30, the river hit a historic crest of 22.7 feet.

Kevin E. Schmidt/Quad City Times via AP, File

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A new report released by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says an April flood barrier breach in downtown Davenport was caused by pressure from the swollen Mississippi River shifting a barrier with slick plastic sheeting under it.

The report, released Tuesday to Davenport city officials, says the sheeting became slick in the wet conditions, and a segment of the barrier overturned.

City officials say the public works department will make changes to its flood plan based on the report, including making changes to plastic sheeting installation and double-stacking flood barriers when the river height is forecast to reach 20 feet or higher.

Officials in the eastern Iowa city had already announced plans to build a bigger flood barrier in the wake of the April breach that sent floodwaters rushing into downtown streets.