Spring Flood Outlook 2010
Sunday, February 28, 2010 (06:19:36)

Posted by BiStateWX

The latest Spring Flood Outlook is out and it's not looking too good for some areas of Eastern Iowa.

The Full Story from the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Davenport, Iowa:

There is a greater than normal risk of spring flooding across eastern Iowa, northwestern Illinois, and far northeastern Missouri. This spring flood risk has increased since the previous outlook from January 29th. Current conditions of above normal snow depths and the associated water equivalent, high soil moisture, and above normal stream level conditions at the time of this outlook, provide favorable conditions for heightened flood chances across the outlook area.

Mainstem Mississippi River: Based on the conditions at the time of this outlook, there is an increased likelihood of minor to moderate category spring flooding along the mainstem Mississippi River. This includes the reach of the Mississippi from near Dubuque downstream toward Gregory Landing. Within this section of the Mississippi River, there is an enhanced risk of moderate to major category flooding from near Rock Island downstream toward Burlington.
Tributaries to the Mississippi River: The conditions at the time of the outlook point to an enhanced risk of moderate to major category spring flooding mainly on the downstream portions of the tributary rivers across eastern Iowa and far western Illinois. This includes downstream portions of the Wapsipinicon, Cedar, Iowa, Skunk, and Rock Rivers, especially nearer to the Mississippi River. Elsewhere along area tributary rivers across eastern Iowa, northwestern Illinois, and extreme northeastern Missouri, there is an increased likelihood for minor to moderate category flooding this spring.

Flood Category definitions:

Minor Flooding - minimal or no property damage, but possibly some public threat or inconvenience.

Moderate Flooding - some inundation of structures and roads near streams. Some evacuations of people and/or transfer of property to higher elevations may be necessary.

Major Flooding - extensive inundation of structures and both primary and secondary roads. Usually significant evacuations of people and/or transfer of property to higher elevations.

The next Spring Flood and Water Resources Outlook will be issued on Friday, March 5, 2010.

Chances For Major Flooding By River:

Mississippi River:
67% Chance of Major Flooding Occuring at Lock & Dam #16 (Muscatine, IA)
68% Chance of Major Flooding Occuring at Lock & Dam #17 (New Boston, IL)
59% Chance of Major Flooding Occuring at Keithsburg, IL
54% Chance of Major Flooding Occuring at Burlington, IA

Wapsipinicon River:
63% Chance of Major Flooding Occuring at DeWitt, IA

Cedar River:
45% Chance of Major Flooding Occuring at Cedar Falls, IA
41% Chance of Major Flooding Occuring at Cedar Rapids, IA
62% Chance of Major Flooding Occuring near Conesville, IA

Iowa River:
41% Chance of Major Flooding Occuring at Marengo, IA
59% Chance of Major Flooding Occuring at Columbus Junction, IA
57% Chance of Major Flooding Occuring at Wapello, IA

Rock River:
41% Chance of Major Flooding Occuring at Joslin
52% Chance of Major Flooding Occuring at Moline

Des Moines River:
80% Chance of Major Flooding Occuring at Humboldt
68% Chance of Major Flooding Occuring at Fort Dodge
90% Chance of Major Flooding Occuring at Stratford
42% Chance of Major Flooding Occuring at Des Moines
14% Chance of Major Flooding Occuring at Ottumwa

North Raccoon River:
82% Chance of Major Flooding Occuring at Perry