Illinois River Receding; Public Works To Clean, Disassemble Floodwall

Press release from the City of Peoria:

June 8, 2020

Flooding at the Illinois River at Peoria could be behind us as the water continues to steadily recede. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website, rivergages.com reports water levels around 18.9 feet as of 7 a.m. today, Monday, June 8.

The water is anticipated to fall below the 18-foot flood stage level as early as Wednesday, June 10. Still, the City is not in the clear. A National Weather Service issued flood warning remains in effect and it could take several more weeks for the river to return to 13 feet, which historically, has been recorded as the normal stage for the water.
The Wall: What’s Next?
Public Works Operations Division crewmembers will begin cleaning pavement and surfaces at the Peoria Clocktower on Main Street where the Spirit of Peoria riverboat is docked, and then move south beginning today, Monday, June 8. Workers will be cleaning the road, sidewalks and Martinis On The Water parking lot. The infrastructure was submerged in river water for several weeks and benches, trash cans and hand railings will all be hosed down and disinfected. Crews will also reconvene their efforts to deconstruct the sandbag floodwall on the frontside and backside of River Station. The team will begin with sections that are closest to the Martinis parking lot.

Due to the nature of the work, crewmembers will be operating heavy equipment and machinery. Residents and visitors should avoid the site and not cross any barricades or enter work zones surrounding River Station.

Questions?
Contact Peoria Public Works at publicworks@peoriagov.org.

This press release was produced by the City of Peoria. The views expressed here are the author’s own.