Iowa Flood Center

What Iowa Flood Center does

The Iowa Flood Center (IFC) is a state-funded research center within the University of Iowa's College of Engineering, established in 2009 and based in Iowa City. Its mission is to develop science-based tools, data, and expertise that help Iowans understand and reduce flood risk. IFC serves Iowa's emergency responders, decision-makers and community leaders, home and business owners, educators, students, and the general public through a portfolio of free public services rather than a commercial product line.

IFC's core technical platform is the Iowa Flood Information System (IFIS), a free, Google Maps-based web platform delivering real-time stream levels, flood alerts, and hydrologic forecasts statewide. Underlying IFIS is a proprietary network of nearly 300 stream-stage sensors designed, built, and deployed by IFC that measure river levels every 15 minutes, complemented by hydrologic weather stations that support flood and drought prediction. IFC also produces high-resolution statewide flood maps for every Iowa stream and scenario-based flood inundation maps. Adjacent service lines include Flood Forecasting, the Iowa Watershed Approach for mitigation planning, Missouri River Flood Information System (MRFIS) extending beyond Iowa, Iowa On-Road Structures for road-infrastructure flood risk, and CIROH-affiliated interdisciplinary research.

IFC does not operate a commercial revenue model. It is funded through state appropriations from Iowa, University of Iowa institutional support, and federal grants, including involvement with CIROH. IFIS and supporting maps are provided free of charge to all Iowans, and the center supplements this with K-12 educational resources, community STEM events, publications, and active social media and newsletter distribution. Distribution is entirely self-serve through the IFIS web platform, with no disclosed enterprise pricing, subscription tiers, or paid customers.

Name

Iowa Flood Center

Legal name

Iowa Flood Center

Website

https://iowafloodcenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Iowa Flood Center is a University of Iowa research center that operates a free statewide flood-monitoring, forecasting, and mapping platform (IFIS), backed by nearly 300 stream sensors, serving emergency responders, community leaders, and the public in Iowa.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Flood Monitoring and Forecasting Services

NAICS

Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (924)

SIC

Totalizing Fluid Meters & Counting Devices (3824), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEUANAEAH

Flood Risk Modeling, Mapping & Forecasting (Hydrology/Hydraulics, Digital Twins)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Water & Wastewater Utilities/Stormwater & Floodwater Management (Drainage, CSO, Flood Control)

SECONDARYEUANAEAK

Real-Time Monitoring & Smart Stormwater (Sensors, SCADA/IoT, RTC)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Water & Wastewater Utilities/Stormwater & Floodwater Management (Drainage, CSO, Flood Control)

SECONDARYEUANAEAJ

Urban Flood Resilience & Adaptation Planning (Climate, Nature-Based Solutions)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Water & Wastewater Utilities/Stormwater & Floodwater Management (Drainage, CSO, Flood Control)

SECONDARYBPAHAJAJ

Water, Wastewater & Stormwater Compliance

Business & Public Services/Professional Services (Legal, Accounting, Consulting)/Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) Consulting

Keywords

• Flood monitoring services
• Hydrological data analysis
• Flood forecasting systems
• Watershed management services
• Flood mapping services

Headquarters

HQ city

Iowa City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Others

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Iowa Flood Center develops and operates the Iowa Flood Information System (IFIS), a free Google Maps-based web platform that delivers real-time stream levels, flood alerts, forecasts, and hydrologic condition data for the entire state of Iowa. It backs IFIS with a self-built network of nearly 300 stream-stage sensors reporting every 15 minutes, hydrologic weather stations, and high-resolution statewide flood maps including scenario-based inundation maps. Beyond IFIS, IFC delivers flood monitoring, flood mapping, flood forecasting, watershed management, the Iowa Watershed Approach for mitigation, the Missouri River Flood Information System, Iowa On-Road Structures, CIROH interdisciplinary research, and education/outreach programs for K-12 and the public.

Product overview

The Iowa Flood Center (IFC) operates as a research and service organization within the University of Iowa College of Engineering, providing a platform of science-based flood monitoring, forecasting, and mitigation services. The core product is the Iowa Flood Information System (IFIS), a Google Maps-based web platform that delivers real-time stream levels, flood alerts, and hydrologic condition data statewide. This is supported by an extensive network of nearly 300 stream-stage sensors and hydrologic weather stations. The product portfolio includes Flood Monitoring (sensor network), Flood Mapping (high-resolution statewide flood maps and inundation scenarios), Flood Forecasting, Hydrologic Monitoring Network, Watershed Management services, and the Iowa Watershed Approach for flood mitigation strategies. Additional services include the Missouri River Flood Information System (MRFIS) extending beyond Iowa, CIROH for interdisciplinary research, and Education & Outreach programs including K-12 resources and publications. The organization serves Iowa's decision-makers, emergency responders, community leaders, and the public with science-based tools for flood preparedness and resiliency.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Iowa Flood Information System (IFIS): A free, Google Maps-based web platform that communicates real-time information about stream levels, flood alerts and forecasts, and hydrologic conditions for the entire state of Iowa.

Products and services

• Iowa Flood Information System (IFIS) A free, Google Maps-based web platform that communicates real-time information about stream levels, flood alerts and forecasts, and hydrologic conditions for the entire state of Iowa. It is available to all users statewide.
• Flood Monitoring Service leveraging nearly 300 stream-stage sensors designed, built, and deployed by IFC that measure river levels every 15 minutes, complemented by hydrologic weather stations that improve flood- and drought-prediction capabilities.
• Flood Mapping High-resolution statewide flood maps for every Iowa stream, along with scenario-based flood inundation maps that keep individuals and communities safe and informed — protecting lives, property, and critical infrastructure.
• Iowa Watershed Approach (Flood Mitigation) IFC staff and researchers provide leadership and technical expertise supporting collaborations with local, state, and federal partners to develop and implement watershed-based strategies to mitigate flood damage and increase resilience.
• Hydrologic Monitoring Network Network of hydrologic monitoring equipment and weather stations that support flood and drought prediction capabilities across Iowa.
• Missouri River Flood Information System (MRFIS) Flood information system providing real-time data and forecasts for the Missouri River region, extending IFC's monitoring capabilities beyond Iowa.
• Iowa On-Road Structures Service related to monitoring and managing flood impacts on road infrastructure in Iowa.
• CIROH (Center for Interdisciplinary River-Human Research) A service providing interdisciplinary research and expertise connecting river science with human systems for comprehensive flood management.
• Watershed Management Technical expertise and support for watershed-based flood management strategies and planning.
• Flood Forecasting Advanced flood prediction services using stream sensors and hydrologic data to provide early warning information.
• Education and Outreach Outreach activities, K-12 resources, and student support programs to educate diverse audiences about flood preparedness and water management.
• Publications Research publications and academic resources produced by IFC researchers on flood science and hydrology.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 300 stream sensors measuring every 15 minutes across Iowa

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Texas Water Development Board: A state-level water and flood planning entity explicitly referenced in IFC's own materials via an endorsement from its Assistant Deputy Executive Administrator of Water Science and Conservation — making it a directly comparable state-mandated water/flood institution.
• Fathom: Fathom is a private flood and climate risk analytics firm producing high-resolution flood maps and risk models globally. It directly competes with IFC's flood mapping and inundation-scenario capabilities in commercial and reinsurance markets.
• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Water Mission Area: USGS operates the national streamgauge network and provides hydrologic monitoring and flood-related science across the U.S. IFC's stream-stage sensor network and hydrologic monitoring services directly parallel USGS's gauge operations, as illustrated by the recent Winneshiek County substitution of a USGS gauge with an IFC sensor.
• National Weather Service (NWS): NWS River Forecast Centers produce flood forecasts, watches, and warnings nationwide. IFC's flood forecasting and IFIS alert platform performs a similar function at the state level, integrating weather and hydrologic data to communicate flood risk to the public and emergency managers.

Emerging players

• Jupiter Intelligence: Jupiter Intelligence provides climate and flood risk analytics for infrastructure, financial, and government customers. It is an emerging commercial alternative to publicly funded flood centers like IFC for organizations needing climate-driven risk data.
• First Street Foundation: First Street Foundation produces property-level flood, wildfire, and climate risk data for the U.S. Its Flood Factor product overlaps directly with IFC's mission of communicating flood risk to the public, albeit via a free nationwide consumer platform rather than a state-funded mandate.

Broad incumbents

• Xylem: Xylem is a major water technology company offering smart metering, network monitoring, and analytics for water utilities. It competes with IFC's hydrologic monitoring and sensor capabilities as part of a much broader water-infrastructure portfolio.
• RMS (Risk Management Solutions, now Moody's): RMS (now part of Moody's) is a leading catastrophe risk modeling firm that produces flood hazard and loss models used by insurers and governments. It competes with IFC's flood risk modeling and mapping work in the broader risk-analytics market.

Regional players

• Harris County Flood Control District: A county-level flood control entity operating a major regional flood warning and mapping system in the Greater Houston area. Comparable to IFC as a sub-state public flood management entity, though geographically focused on a different watershed.

Others

• CIROH (Cooperative Institute for Research on Hydrology): CIROH is a NOAA cooperative institute led by the University of Alabama that advances hydrologic science and forecasting, with IFC explicitly listed as a partner. It is an ecosystem peer rather than a direct competitor, sharing research themes and federal funding streams.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/IowaFloodCenter
• Facebookfacebook.com/IowaFloodCenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iowa-flood-center
• Instagraminstagram.com/iowafloodcenter
• Xx.com/IowaFloodCenter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Iowa Flood Center