Almost all of the major problems associated with the most recent flood in Ames could have been avoided if both the university and the city would have denied permission to build athletic, educational and commercial structures on flood plains.

With all the expertise in this community, how could this have happened? Top administrators at Iowa State and the Board of Regents approved these ill-advised, risky projects; the decision-makers at Ames City Hall elected to ignore sound technical advice and common sense in the interest of promoting economic development.

Of course, the structures that have been built will be a continuing burden for many generations; the most we can do is be prepared to ameliorate the effects of recurring floodwaters.

Someone once observed that the only thing we learn from history, is that we don’t learn from history. However, we can turn over a new leaf in this community and demonstrate that we are indeed educable. Both the university and the city can commit to never again bowing to expediency or political pressures, and they can adopt irrevocable policies that deny permission to build structures on flood plains.