With spring, and another possible record spring flood approaching, the city of Moline is getting ready. Workers are inspecting and servicing equipment, and making sure everything's prepared.
Interim Public Works Director, Rodd Schick, says most of the preparations are the same every year at this time. But during last year's long, and record-setting flood, the river nearly covered one of the city electrical pumps.
"We're evaluating how we can elevate those electrical connections so that if we get a repeat of last year, we won't have that problem. We can maintain that pump's operation."
The high water also limited access to some of Moline's pumps so some have been re-located to make sure they can be maintained no matter how high the river gets.
Schick says one of the "low spots" the city has to protect is under the old I-74 bridge. Last year, at the same time the storm drains were closed to keep the river out, heavy rain fell.
"The pump system that we have, the permanently staged pumps that are electric powered that are there, that run much like a sump pump does in your basement, those in that particular area are not able to completely keep up with that stormwater that's coming and also some of the infiltration.
And he says people forget the Rock River also set records last year - Moline had to close some roads, and try to protect the Green Valley Sports Complex.
