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A faster floodgate planned for Des Moines Water Works

This floodgate at George Flagg Parkway and Fleur Drive is the largest and one of the oldest in the city’s levee system. Photo: Jason Clayworth/Axios A floodgate near George Flagg Parkway and Fleur Drive would be replaced under a plan being developed by Des Moines city staffers. Why it matters: It would provide faster protection for Des Moines Water Works — the state's largest water utility — as well as some commercial buildings in the area. State of play: The project is an attempt to prevent a repeat of the that flooded 10 states and caused in damages. Hundreds of thousands of central Iowa residents were left without safe drinking water for about a month after Water Works flooded. Flashback: The current gate was installed in 1996. It uses panels that require assembly and as much as seven hours to put into place, Peter Zemansky, a city spokesperson tells Axios. What's happening: Last week, the city council nearly $350,000 to design a roll gate system that could close and seal that section of levee in less than 30 minutes. in other types of downtown levee improvements that include increasing the height are already underway. What's next: Design and study work associated with the new gate will take place in coming months.It is anticipated to cost around $2 million and be installed in the next few years.The Water Works floodgate will look like this one at 2100 Saylor Rd. that protects Des Moines' Union Park neighborhood. Photo: Jason Clayworth/Axios Get more local stories in your inbox with .Subscribe Support local journalism by becoming a member.

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