GEI Consultants analyzes stability of levee and floodwall system for Iowa city

GREEN BAY, WIS. — GEI Consultants Inc., a geotechnical, environmental, water resources, and ecological science and engineering firm, announced that it has been chosen by the city of Dubuque, Iowa, to perform a structural analysis of the Dubuque Levee and Floodwall System. The 5.6 mile-long levee system, originally completed in 1973, runs along approximately 1,100 acres of industrial, commercial, and residential property. The flood control system is comprised of approximately 7,100 feet of floodwall, more than 20,000 feet of earthen levee, a miter-gate closure into Dubuque Harbor, four pumping stations, and three primary flood detention ponds.

GEI’s team of geotechnical and structural engineers will evaluate the stability of the water-retaining embankments and floodwalls for the entire levee system. Demonstration of adequate stability and seepage control for all project elements under the design flood is required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for levee accreditation under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) regulations. The city of Dubuque signed a two-year Provisional Accredited Levee (PAL) agreement with FEMA, which expires in May 2011. Per this agreement, the city must certify compliance with the NFIP regulations that the levee system provides 100-year flood protection for its community prior to the May deadline.

GEI has extensive experience with dam and levee safety evaluations, levee accreditation, and remedial design of water retaining structures and has successfully performed numerous FEMA levee accreditation projects nationwide. Tasks will include a subsurface exploration program and an embankment and foundation stability analysis.