 Then and now, flooding frequently dampens, but has not broken the residents' spirits.Unpredictable waters of the Raccoon River and Walnut Creek have often exceeded their banks due to large amounts of rain in the summer and snowmelt in the spring, filling the streets and damaging homes and businesses.In 1950 West Des Moines had a population of 5,615, but the city grew as many new housing subdivisions were built.