The University of Iowa Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research will hold a community flood seminar at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 21 at the State Historical Building in Des Moines. The event, titled “Anatomy of the Iowa Floods: Preparing for the Future,” has been designed to foster better understanding of the 2008 Iowa floods and how Iowa residents, as well as local, regional and state leaders can better plan and prepare for future flooding.

The Oct. 21 program, which is free to the public, will include city officials representing Des Moines, Ames and Cedar Falls sharing the flood protections measures on which they are working. Additionally, there will be presentations on trends in Iowa precipitation; trends in stormwater run-off; floodplain management strategies; water quality; holding more water in the watershed; and a review of related state public policy issues. The presentations will be followed by a question and answer session.

Following the seminar, refreshments will be served and a limited number of free copies of the book, “A Watershed Year: Anatomy of the Iowa Floods of 2008,” will be available to attendees. Presenters also will be available to visit with attendees.

The Center began holding seminars, titled “Anatomy of Iowa Floods: Preparing for the Future,” around the state in March of 2010. The Oct. 21 event will be the 11^th seminar held by the Center this year.

The seminar is being hosted by the University of Iowa Center for Global & Regional Environmental Research, Rebuild Iowa Office, Iowa Flood Center, University of Northern Iowa Center for Energy and Environmental Education, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University Extension, Iowa League of Cities and the Iowa State Association of Counties.

Flood Seminar Schedule, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Welcome: Mayor Frank Cownie, Polk County Supervisor Robert Brownell and Jerry Schnoor, Co-director, University of Iowa Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research
Trends in Iowa precipitation: Chris Anderson, PhD, Scientist, Assistant Director, Climate Science Initiative, Iowa State University (ISU)
Trends and strategies in water run-off: Rick Cruse, Professor of Agronomy, ISU, Director, Iowa Water Center
City of Des Moines: Bill Stowe, Public Works Director, Des Moines
City of Ames: Bob Kindred, Assistant City Manager, Ames
City of Cedar Falls: Kamyar Enshayan, Cedar Falls City Council
Holding More Water In the Watershed: Wayne Petersen, Urban Conservation Program Coordinator, IDALS
Public policy initiatives: Susan Judkins Josten, Intergovernmental Affairs Director, Rebuild Iowa Office
Question and answer session

Media Contact:
Joe Bolkcom, Outreach and Community Education Director, Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, Phone (319) 353-2681 (o) or (319) 330-9541 (c)