Communities along the upper Mississippi River have seen a major uptick in heavy rains and flooding in the last decade. Residents, environmentalists, engineers and government agencies agree that they need a coordinated strategy to manage flooding. That could be particularly important in coming years, as scientists predict that climate change will likely bring more heavy rain to the region. However, environmentalists and engineers disagree on what flood controls should be taken. Some say that the answer lies in improving structures, namely levees, to protect residents and valuable property from being damaged. Others point to research that shows that levees can constrict rivers and worsen flooding. Local, state and federal officials and conservation groups attended a summit in Dubuque, Iowa, this week to air out their concerns about flooding and discuss solutions. “Different stakeholders who may have been disagreeing for some time are ready to meet in the same room and have this
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