As part of the Senior Design Capstone Course in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, a group of students will develop plans and designs for flood impact mitigation in the city of George, Iowa along Skunk Creek.

The City of George seeks strategies to reduce flooding along Skunk Creek, which flows through the community and serves as a drainage corridor for stormwater. Over time, sediment accumulation, vegetation, and beaver activity have reduced the creek's capacity, contributing to more frequent flooding during heavy rainfall events. Flooding has caused significant damage to public infrastructure and private residences, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach to flood mitigation and watershed management.

This project will evaluate existing within the Skunk Creek corridor and identify opportunities to improve flood resilience while protecting community infrastructure and natural resources. Students will develop recommendations that help the City better manage stormwater, restore creek function, reduce flood risk, and improve long-term maintenance practices.

The design team will:

• Evaluate watershed and drainage characteristics influencing flood behavior.
• Assess the condition and capacity of Skunk Creek and analyze existing stormwater infrastructure and identify opportunities to improve system performance.
• Develop flood mitigation concepts.
• Communicate technical findings through maps, modeling, and implementation recommendations suitable for use by City staff and elected officials.

Project deliverables may include:

• Existing conditions assessment of the Skunk Creek corridor, watershed and drainage analysis
• Flood hazard and stormwater management assessment
• Identification of sediment management and stream maintenance strategies
• Conceptual flood mitigation design alternatives
• Nature-based solutions and stream restoration opportunities
• Final report with engineering design strategies and cost estimates