Burlington, Iowa, has weathered several major floods including 2008 at approximately 26 feet, 1993 at approximately 21.5 feet, 1973 at just under 18 feet and 1965 at just over 17 feet.
The Mississippi River is the eastern border of the town of Burlington, Iowa. Several tributaries join the Mississippi River approximately 30 miles north of Burlington, including the Iowa River.
Approximately 4.5 miles north of Burlington is Lock and Dam number 18 which aids in flood control. The main stem levee system for the Mississippi River is 2,203 miles long and is designed to keep the flood in the levee channel.
