Missouri River Authorities Keeping Tabs on Water Levels
/Heavy rains across Eastern South Dakota, Northeastern Nebraska and Northwest Iowa have swollen tributaries, and are causing the Missouri River to flood. Inflows from major tributaries are filling the Lewis and Clark Reservoir (Gavins Point Dam), reports Tom Waters, chairman of the Missouri Levee & Drainage District Association. The river also could be carrying a high load debris gathered from areas it has not reached for some time.
Flooding is expected from Sioux City, Iowa to Hermann, Missouri with moderate flooding north of Kansas City and minor flooding below. “With rain still in the forecast, river forecasts may change,” Waters says. “Now is the time to inspect floodgates, levees and other flood control infrastructure. We have not seen the river this high for quite a while,” he adds.
Good News
Authorities note that all the levees in the Kansas City District have been repaired following the 2019 Flood Event, and are ready to perform as desired. The District has 3.7 million sandbags placed at various locations throughout the area. It is currently providing technical assistance in Northwest Missouri.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is holding a daily call [that started June 24] with stakeholders and those impacted, including congressional representatives, tribal, state and local government officials as well as levee sponsors, emergency managers and the media. “With conditions rapidly changing and additional rainfall happening, and in the forecast, we want you to be able to stay up to date on emergency response and assistance,” says Shane Kinne, executive director of the Coalition to Protect the Missouri River. The conference calls run from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm CDT.
Join In
To participate in these daily conference calls:
Meeting number (access code): 2823 047 5236
Meeting password: JitJnJc*778
Tap to join from a mobile device (attendees only)
Or join by phone:
+1-844-800-2712,,28230475236## US Toll Free
+1-669-234-1177,,28230475236## US Toll
Additional information is available on the Missouri Levee & Drainage District Association website: www.molevees.org.