Decorah Street Department

04/23/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Decorah
Press Contact: Michael O’Hara, Public Works Director

Water Street Traffic Signals Transition to Flashing Red Mode

Decorah, IA (April 23, 2026) – Starting Monday, April 27, 2026, traffic signals throughout Water Street will be set to flashing red mode to ensure optimal traffic flow and prevent intersection gridlock during the Heivly Street and Highway 9 reconstruction projects. The Highway 9 project is currently in the preliminary site preparation phase. As work transitions into full-scale construction, we are anticipating a significant increase in downtown traffic.

Motorists must treat all flashing red lights as all-way stops. Drivers should approach each intersection with caution, yield to those who arrived first, and proceed only when the path is clear. Under Iowa law, motorists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in all marked and unmarked crosswalks.

Please contact City Hall at 563-382-3651 with any questions.

This is an official city press release. Modifications of any kind are prohibited without the express written consent of the author. Any reprint or broadcast of this information must include this entire communication.

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04/23/2026

Just a little over 3 weeks out! Come join us!

04/14/2026

The City of Decorah Wastewater Treatment Department is accepting applications for Seasonal Laborer. This is a temporary seasonal position. Duties include mowing, trimming, edging, painting and assisting with maintenance on equipment. Valid driver’s license required. …

04/14/2026

04/14/2026

The Decorah Police Department is excited to announce its partnership with the Elks Club Lodge 443 for its 5th annual Cops n’ Rodders Car & Bike Show!

Please join us Saturday, May 16th from 9am-1pm on Water Street to appreciate the hard work and creativity in the preservation, restoration, and modifying of area classic and unique cars and bikes.

A huge thank you to our generous sponsors: T Bock’s, Koreana, Lori & Rich Bollman, Copyland, Crown Electric, Decorah Auto Body, Hovden Oil, Jeff & Leah McCrea, Kirkeby Welding, KVIK Radio, Lulu & BB’s Pet Market, Mediacom, Mracek Plumbing, Heating & Electric, Sundance Travel, Vic Pinckney, Mike Voltmer, and Decorah Elks Lodge 443

Proceeds go to Iowa C.O.P.S (Concerns of Police Survivors). Registration is $10 per car or bike, no pre-registration required. Free to the public, donations appreciated!

03/20/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Decorah Street Department
Press Contact: Michael O’Hara, Public Works Director


New Traffic Pattern at Water and Court Street Intersection

Decorah, IA (March 20, 2026) – Starting Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at approximately 10:00 am the traffic signals at the intersection of Water and Court Street will be deactivated and bagged. Since the traffic lights are deactivated, West and East bound traffic on Water Street do not need to stop. Drivers are reminded under Iowa law that motorists must yield the right of way to pedestrians who are within a marked or unmarked crosswalk. All motorists traveling North on Court Street must come to a complete stop at the newly installed stop sign and yield to pedestrians and traffic on Water Street before entering the intersection.

The decision to deactivate the signals at the intersection of Water and Court Street follows a recent vehicle hitting and severely damaging the traffic control cabinet. A full replacement is expected to exceed $20,000. We are concerned that addressing the current damage may uncover hidden infrastructure issues within the 30-year-old system, resulting in a much larger and unpredictable financial cost. We are implementing this new configuration as a practical alternative. This will allow us to fully evaluate the efficiency of the new traffic flow pattern before committing to a significant reinvestment in the traffic signal infrastructure.

We appreciate the community’s patience as we explore this cost-effective option for the intersection.

Please contact City Hall at 563-382-3651 with any questions.


This is an official city press release. Modifications of any kind are prohibited without the express written consent of the author. Any reprint or broadcast of this information must include this entire communication.

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03/14/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Decorah Street Department
Press Contact: Michael O’Hara, Public Works Director, 563-382-2157


Snow Emergency Declared
Starting Sunday, March 15 at 1 p.m.
Ending Tuesday, March 17 at 4 p.m.


Decorah, IA (March 14, 2026) – The City of Decorah is notifying residents that a Snow Emergency will be in effect starting Sunday, March 15 at 1 p.m. and will remain in effect until Tuesday, March 17 at 4 p.m.

The City’s snow emergency parking policy requires that on even-numbered calendar days, all vehicles shall be parked on the side of the street where buildings have even numbers. On odd-numbered calendar days, all vehicles shall be parked on the side of the street where buildings have odd numbers. All vehicles need to be parked on the correct side of the street by 12:01 a.m. Sometime between 8:00 p.m. and midnight, residents can move their vehicles to the other side of the street in anticipation of the following day’s parking requirement.

The city is also reminding residents that snow must be removed from sidewalks within 24 hours after a snow event.

Snow from driveways, sidewalks, and/or parking lots cannot be deposited into City streets or alleys unless prior approval is received from the City.

Please contact the Street Department at 382-2157 with any questions.


This is an official city press release. Modifications of any kind are prohibited without the express written consent of the author. Any reprint or broadcast of this information must include this entire communication.

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02/19/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Decorah Street Department
Press Contact: Michael O’Hara, Public Works Director, 563-382-2157

Snow Emergency Declared
Effective: Friday, February 20 at 12:01 a.m. (Midnight Tonight)
Until: Saturday, February 21 at 12:00 p.m.

Decorah, IA (February 19, 2026) – The City of Decorah is notifying residents that a Snow Emergency will be in effect starting Friday, February 20 at 12:01 a.m. (midnight tonight) and will remain in effect until Saturday, February 21 at 12:00 p.m.

The City’s snow emergency parking policy requires that on even-numbered calendar days, all vehicles shall be parked on the side of the street where buildings have even numbers. On odd-numbered calendar days, all vehicles shall be parked on the side of the street where buildings have odd numbers. All vehicles need to be parked on the correct side of the street by 12:01 a.m. Sometime between 8:00 p.m. and midnight, residents can move their vehicles to the other side of the street in anticipation of the following day’s parking requirement.

The city is also reminding residents that snow must be removed from sidewalks within 24 hours after a snow event.

Snow from driveways, sidewalks, and/or parking lots cannot be deposited into City streets or alleys unless prior approval is received from the City.

Please contact the Street Department at 382-2157 with any questions.

This is an official city press release. Modifications of any kind are prohibited without the express written consent of the author. Any reprint or broadcast of this information must include this entire communication.

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01/21/2026

1 / 1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Decorah Street Department
Press Contact: Michael O’Hara, Public Works Director, 563-382-2157

Snow Emergency Declared
Starting Thursday, January 22 at 12 a.m.
Ending Friday, January 23 at 12 p.m.

Decorah, IA (January 21, 2026) – The City of Decorah is notifying residents that a Snow Emergency will be in effect starting Thursday, January 22 at 12 a.m. and will remain in effect until Friday, January 23 at 12 p.m.

The City’s snow emergency parking policy requires that on even-numbered calendar days, all vehicles shall be parked on the side of the street where buildings have even numbers. On odd-numbered calendar days, all vehicles shall be parked on the side of the street where buildings have odd numbers. All vehicles need to be parked on the correct side of the street by 12:01 a.m. Sometime between 8:00 p.m. and midnight, residents can move their vehicles to the other side of the street in anticipation of the following day’s parking requirement.

The city is also reminding residents that snow must be removed from sidewalks within 24 hours after a snow event.

Snow from driveways, sidewalks, and/or parking lots cannot be deposited into City streets or alleys unless prior approval is received from the City.

Please contact the Street Department at 382-2157 with any questions.

01/21/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Decorah Street Department Decorah, Iowa Issued: March 4, 2025 Press Contact: Michael O’Hara, Public Works Director, 563-382-2157 Snow Emergency in Effect Starting Tonight Decorah, IA (March 4, 2025) – The City of Decorah is notifying residents that a snow emergency will be ...