Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
FLOODS (Record)
FLOODS (Record) The highest flood to wreak havoc on Dubuque occurred on April 26, 1965, when the river crested at 26.8 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 FLOODWALL along the riverfront. Other record floods in Dubuque include:
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.
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)