FLOODS (Record)

A flooded parking lot at Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino reminds residents of past floods.

FLOODS (Record) The highest flood to wreak havoc on Dubuque occurred on April 26, 1965, when the river crested at 26.81 feet. Depths of water reached seven feet on some streets. Schools closed as dozens of students joined other citizens to fill millions of sandbags. The damage led to the construction of a five-mile FLOOD WALL along the riverfront. Other record floods in Dubuque include:

Aerial view showing downtown flooding in 1965

Flooding near the Julien Dubuque Bridge--note sandbags

Date-----------------River Crest

April 23, 1969-------------23.1ft.

May 6, 1975---------------22.8ft.

April 25, 1952-------------22.7ft.

April 22, 1951-------------22.7ft.

October 6,1986-----------21.7ft.

October 24-25, 1881----21.2ft.

September 20, 1938----20.6ft.

Dubuque's history of flooding may be considered to begin on July 4, 1876 when a flash flood wiped out Rockdale along the banks of CATFISH CREEK. Witnesses claimed it took only 30 minutes for the waters to wipe out the village and kill 41 people.

The flood at UNION PARK on July 9, 1919 caused the death of five people. Although the park was rebuilt, the former grandeur of the site was never recaptured.

On March 22, 1920 the MISSISSIPPI RIVER rose 4.5 feet in 48 hours in Dubuque. Citizens were warned about thousands of rats driven from the sewers by the rising waters. Trees were filled with carcasses of livestock by the receding waters.

April 22, 1951 flood around the Page Hotel. Unpublished photo courtesy: Bob Reding

April 22, 1951 flood showing the Adams Company. Unpublished photo courtesy: Bob Reding

The record 1965 flood left the Packers, Dubuque's professional BASEBALL team, without a home field for forty-one days. Home games were played in Cascade or Dyersville for nearly one-fourth of the home season. (Photo Courtesy: http://www.dubuquepostcards.com)

The small marker on this building at 5 Jones Street is really a marker of history.

This is why the marker has importance.

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Source:

175 Years, Volume Three, Telegraph Herald, September 15, 2008