The flood in Oakville, Iowa

On June 14, 2008, the Iowa River breached its levee just west of Oakville, Iowa. The town and local farmland were inundated by water. Most buildings in the town were flooded by 4-10 feet of water while farms had up to 25 feet of water covering them. Approximately 21,000 acres were involved. The flood waters reached from the rivers north and east of Oakville to near the blue lines on the map.

On June 15, 2008, the Iowa River was running the entire length of the bottom land to what is known as the Big Ditch. If the levee here had broken, the water would have rushed to Burlington, located 20 miles south of Oakville.

Oakville was cut off with Highway 99 covered west and south of town. The paved county "K Road" and all other gravel roads were also covered by water. The Iowa River was creating a new channel for itself through the farmland.

By June 23, 2008, water was still running over Highway 99. Residents were not allowed into town until June 26.