Iowa State University Flood Mitigation

Iowa State University retained Ayres to develop a strategy for flood mitigation and dry flood proofing strategies for the Lied Recreation Center, the Cooling Towers, and the ISU Family Resource Center.

Dry flood proofing is a method of protecting facilities in which floodwaters are allowed to reach the building surface, but exterior openings are sealed to resist water entry. In areas where dry flood proofing would not adequately protect the building site or could not be installed quickly enough, a hybrid approach was developed combining dry flood proofing with permanent flood proofing, or measures constructed outside the building envelope. Ayres considered a number of variables in the process of evaluating flood mitigation alternatives. A hybrid solution was developed for the Lied building, including some perimeter landscape berming, stop logs, and flood shields at entryways. The solution chosen for the Cooling Towers and the Family Resource Center is primarily permanent flood protection with some stop logs at road and sidewalk openings.

Ayres met with staff at each building and provided exhibits and approximate costs for the flood mitigation alternatives, and alternatives were chosen. The final product for the University included exhibits detailing the selected alternatives and cost estimates.

• Flood Protection