"Together, we’re tackling one of the most pressing challenges of our time.”
Iowa Flood Information System
The Iowa Flood Information System (IFIS) is a web platform to access real-time information about stream levels, flood alerts and forecasts, and hydrologic conditions for the entire state of Iowa.
From flood forecasting to wildfire smoke alerts, Iowa Engineering is building solutions to protect communities in the face of extreme weather events.
In Iowa, extreme weather is not an abstract concern. It is reality. From historic flooding to wildfire smoke drifting into the Midwest to droughts and heat waves, natural disasters increasingly shape how Iowa’s communities plan, build, and respond.
The College of Engineering is addressing those challenges with a growing body of research that combines scholarship with a deep commitment to serving the state and its citizens.
“An area of pride is our work on the growing threat of extreme weather,” said Ann McKenna, Dick and Judy Smith Dean of Engineering.
Residents of Dubuque, Iowa, have suffered the consequences of flooding for years. Dubuque city officials turned to IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering to ensure a planned $28 million pump station would provide the intended flood mitigation. IIHR scientists built a scale model to demonstrate how the pump station would operate during flood conditions. Physical hydraulic modeling remains a core strength of IIHR.
Areas of expertise
Regional resilience research
Through Iowa Technology Institute, faculty are leading a multi-state NSF EPSCoR project with Arkansas, Kansas, and Nebraska, assessing community-level risks from extreme weather while training the next generation of engineers through hands-on summer programs.
Education and workforce preparation
Engineering faculty are equipping students to design resilient infrastructure through coursework and co-op experiences in hazard mitigation and emergency response, ensuring graduates are ready for an increasingly unpredictable future.
Air quality and wildfire monitoring
Researchers have developed satellite-based tools, including FireAQ, to track wildfire smoke and air quality across the Midwest, work that has positioned Iowa as a key partner on several NASA missions.
Infrastructure and flood control
Through IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering, researchers partner with communities around the world to improve critical infrastructure. A recent project designing a model pump station is supporting a $28 million flood-control effort in Dubuque, Iowa.
Flood forecasting and early warning
Home to the nation’s only academic research center devoted solely to floods, the Iowa Flood Center (IFC) is advancing flood preparedness and resilience initiatives. IFC's Iowa Flood Information System helps residents, emergency managers, and local officials make informed decisions using real-time alerts, forecasts, and interactive maps.
Each of these efforts addresses a distinct and pressing challenge. Together, they reflect the college’s focus on not only publications and grants but on the safety, resilience, and wellbeing of Iowans.