New flooding study says Decorah is doing a good job of flood prevention

A new study by the Woodwell Climate Research Center says Decorah is relatively prepared to handle future flooding.

The study presented to the City of Decorah says Decorah's flood prevention measures almost entirely consist of its levee system, saying it is "critically important that these levees be maintained in the years to come."

The Woodwell Climate Research Center says its study focuses entirely on flood risks and does not take into account the effect of climate change, saying, "It is unclear how climate change with impact other aspects of Decorah."

But the main conclusion of the study is "The main Decorah levee system along the Upper Iowa River is estimated to protect against the 500-year flood event."  The study says the area near the College Drive bridge is a weak point, since it is less than one foot above the 500-year flood water level.  However. the study says there will be minimal changes in the risk of flooding in Decorah through the year 2090.