The Maquoketa River Basin is located in east-central and northeast Iowa. The basin is oriented in a general northwest to southeast direction and drains 1,879 square miles. The Maquoketa River originates in Fayette County and flows about 150 miles through the cities of Manchester, Monticello and Maquoketa to the mouth at the Mississippi River in eastern Jackson County. The North Fork Maquoketa River, a major tributary to the Maquoketa River with a drainage area of 592 square miles, originates in Dubuque County and flows 97 miles through the cities of New Vienna, Dyersville and Cascade to its mouth in Jackson County. The communities of Manchester, Delaware County; Monticello, Jones County; and Dyersville, Dubuque County have all requested and benefited from the Iowa Flood Center (IFC) bridge sensors and the Silver Jackets project developed rating curves. These bridge sensor sites with rating curves are displayed at the Iowa Flood Information System (IFIS) website at http://ifis.iowafloodcenter.org/ifis/sc/plus/.

Collaborative Investment Opportunity
The on-line availability of this data, where no other data is available, allows flood response teams to use their limited time and resources in a more efficient and effective manner rather than engaging in repetitive, time-consuming field reconnaissance in anticipation of an impending high water flood event. Community resiliency is enhanced by the installation of the affordable bridge sensor technology flood response tool. The installation of eight bridge sensors within a three county area benefits the entire Upper Maquoketa River Basin watershed.
 
Collaborative Solution meets Iowa State Hazard Mitigation Plan Expressed Needs
a) Encourage intergovernmental cooperation, coordination and communication to mitigate against all hazards; '
b) Build support capacity and commitment to prevent or reduce risks from all hazards for protection of Iowa’s residents and their property;
c) Mitigation Measure: Establish procedures, installation, networks, response teams and equipment necessary to issue warnings, alert officials and emergency personnel and inform the public to ensure that they are in place and operational.