River steady, trending down

As we regularly do, the Department of Planning, Public Works and Parks 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 in the upper Missouri River basin. So far, that has not translated into a significant concern in the lower basin, in which Chesterfield exists.

I've provided the current river gauge hydrograph for the Hermann and St. Charles gauges below.

The Hermann Gauge read 24.69 this morning at 7:30 am, is forecasted to hold steady for a couple of days, then slowly trend downward. Flood stage at Hermann is at gauge reading 21, but moderate flooding occurs at gauge reading 26.

St. Charles read 27.04 this morning at 7:30 am and is expected to hold relatively steady for the next several days.

Obviously, at these readings, there is no imminent issue or concern with the Monarch-Chesterfield levee. The agricultural levee is at a level which protects to a St. Charles gauge reading between 33 and 35. The main levee provides protection in excess of a gauge ready of 47. The river is not even touching the levee base on the river side.

We provide this information to re-assure interested persons that the City, Levee District, County and the Corps are all sharing information.
As you might also be aware, the Corps has been hosting a daily Missouri River Joint Information Conference Call Report
I've provided some interesting excerpts from yesterday's conference call, July 10, 2011
Current Weather Conditions
An organized weather pattern has the potential for heavy rains across much of the Missouri River basin. The current system will move South Southeastward across North Dakota to Eastern South Dakota. Another Thunderstorm will likely move across Colorado into Nebraska and Western Iowa. This system will bring ¼" to ½" of rainfall. On Monday to Tuesday there is a chance for heavy rain in Central to Southern South Dakota and Central Nebraska. This area will likely see 1" to 2" of rainfall with some local areas seeing more. More storms will move into Nebraska, South Dakota and western Iowa on Tuesday night to Wednesday.
Water Release and Reservoir Information:
The Reservoir Control Center will adjust releases with ever changing conditions. Daily planned releases will be posted each day on the Division website around 4:00-4:30 each day.
Current plans for the reservoirs are as follows:
Fort Peck 45,000cfs today then to 40,000 cfs on Friday. Fort Peck continues to decline 0.1 ft per day
Garrison 140,000 cfs today and Monday then to 135,000 cfs on Tuesday and to 130,000 cfs on Thursday. Garrison will stay level for the weekend then start to decline slowly.
Oahe 150,000 cfs today and and Monday then to 145,000 cfs on Tuesday. Oahe leveled off near crest at a level 0.6 ft. below the top of the spillway gates and should start a slow decline in the coming days.
Big Bend 150,000cfs today and hold
Randall 156,000cfs today, then continue to step up to 157,000 cfs depending on Gavins Point pool level. Randall remains near crest and will begin to decline next week.
Gavins Point 160,000 cfs today and hold.
Currently, There are No Plans to Increase Releases From Gavins Point above 160,000 cfs.
Peak Releases are expected to stay high well into August.
Snow Pack Update:
The snow pack is continuing to melt as expected. The snow above Fort Peck peaked at 141% of normal and is now down to 8% of normal. The snow in the reach between Fort Peck and Garrison (primarily the Yellowstone basin) peaked at 136% and is now down to 7%. The snow in the North Plate basin pecked at 150% of Normal and is currently down to 10% and the snow pack in the South Platte Basin peaked at 150% of Normal and the melting in this reach is complete.
The Missouri River is closed to all traffic from River Mile 386 just downstream of Leavenworth to Gavins Point Dam. The KC District EOC is Current at Level II, subject to changes based on river conditions.
The KC District is conducting daily recon flights to survey River conditions. Today the recon team looked at non-federal levees downstream of Kansas City, Missouri.

St Chuck

Hermann