The 1st flood, the one I witnessed from inside Hilton (I believe around 78 but I cant remember for sure) there were three huge pumps in one of the lower mechanical rooms of Hilton, as well as foundation drains running around the entire circumference of the building. The pumps were 480V/3 phase units, I think 75 horsepower each, but not sure on that. They had a concrete pit underneath, approximately 15 feet deep as I recall, which drained all storm and ground water from the "bowl". Actually, during that first flood, one pump was out of service, as a new 20' long shaft had to fabricated for the pump as it had been bent when some debris (unknown source) had gotten into the pit and the pump motor had bent the 2" shaft and it had to be replaced; so only two pumps were operational at that time. actually during "Normal weather, only one ran, and then irregularly as the pit filled. But the two were adequate to keep Hilton from any major flooding (They each had 8" discharge lines directly to now "Ioway" creek. The main concern I had was loss of power, as the main substation for South campus also resided in Hilton, on the main floor level, and the emergency generator was also by that substation. The pumps were NOT connected to it though, I think that was accomplished prior to the next flood, by which time I had left Ames. Thankfully I was not part of that.
PS: the bball floor was out and stored on 2x4 stringers! So it was OK.
