Missouri River Conditions in Chesterfield

As we regularly do, the Department of Planning & Public Works monitors river levels.

It should be noted that we are in continuous contact with the Monarch-Chesterfield Levee District and the Corps of Engineers has contractors on-site in the Chesterfield Valley due to their current levee improvement projects. As such, should a significant concern arise, those forces could be mobilized in flood fighting efforts immediately.

There is significant flooding on the upper Missouri River. The corps, through their reservoir management program, is in the process of increasing the discharge from the Gavins Point reservoir some 20,000 to 30,000 cubic feet per second (CFS) to a total discharge of 150,000 CFS. The Corps, the Levee District, and the City have this information and utilizes it as part of our ongoing monitoring and response program.

I've provided the current river gauge hydrograph for the Hermann and St. Charles gauges below, and clearly the short term projections are actually at or below flood stage. Those of us responsible for keeping aware of the potential hazards, are much more concerned with the longer term potential for flooding. Typically, I would also provide the downstream gauge information at St. Charles, but unfortunately, it is not available at the time of this message.

At this point, we will continue to monitor river levels and provide period updates. Please recognize, that per the City's Valley Watch system, we are not in the "watch" stage. However, we obviously are keeping an eye on the river and will share information as it becomes available. The current and planned discharges along the Missouri River would not create a significant concern at this point. However, these discharges are very sensitive to additional rainfall in the Missouri River Basin. Again, that is why it is important that we continue to be vigilant and maintain a heightened level of awareness. Strictly to ensure that we have the most recent and up to date information.

The Monarch Chesterfield Levee District is hosting an informational public meeting at the City's Public Works Facility tomorrow evening, at 5 pm. That is Wednesday, June 8th, 2011, and the meeting is being held at 165 Public Works Drive. This is directly west of the Wehrenberg Galaxy Theater in Chesterfield Valley.

Again, rest assured that Public Works Staff monitors river conditions continuously and should conditions warrant, we will initiate reports and advisories in accordance with the City's adopted flood watch\warning system.