MUSCATINE, Iowa — A team of engineers from Muscatine’s Stanley Consultants have taken in a first-hand view of the flood damage in Iowa City.

The Iowa River flooded both the east and west campus at the University of Iowa and affected its hospitals and clinics last week, causing the shut off of the University’s combined heat and power plant.

The power plant provides 30 percent of the University’s electrical power and provides steam which is used to sanitize medical and dental supplies at the hospitals and clinics.

Mechanical engineer, Tim Schmitt, electrical engineer Vern Mcallister and project manager Tom Hickey of Stanley Consultants worked through last weekend on an engineering plan to set up a pair of temporary boilers to return steam power to the University.

Steve Parrott, director of University relations, said the other 70 percent of the University’s electrical power is contracted through                      Mid-American Energy.

The facility that houses the  combined heat and power plant was flooded from underneath through the various utility and steam tunnels, which made operation of the plant dangerous.

The shut down had been anticipated, said Russ Price, project principal for Stanley Consultants.

The University contacted Stanley Consultants on Tuesday, June 10, and asked engineers to begin designing a project that would use temporary boilers, Price said.

University officials hoped they could keep their regular plant open until the boilers were ready, said Price, but when the call came Saturday, his team was ready to step things up.

“We have worked for the University for more than 50 years,” Price said of Stanley Consultants. “We have an

excellent working relationship with them. When they call, we do it.”

 The two boilers were shipped from the Indeck Power and Equipment Co. out of Chicago.

Price said the hospitals and clinics, located on the east campus, are the priority, and he hoped that boiler would be ready by this weekend.

There are two more temporary boilers already installed at the University but they are underwater. Price said his team is going to determine whether or not those boilers can be operated as well.

People who have appointments at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics next week may want to confirm those appointments, Price said.

Parrott said many of the University’s summer camps have been delayed or cancelled and summer school classes will begin one week late on Monday, June 23. The University will open the           2008-09 academic year on schedule on Monday, Aug. 25, Parrott said. 

Reporter contact information

Cynthia Beaudette 563-262-0527

cynthia.beaudette@muscatinejournal.com