Forecasters: River could crest at 44 feet by Thursday

While Mississippi River levels briefly decreased slightly this weekend, it will begin to rise again today, and its expected crest is forecast to peak at 44 feet by Thursday.

As of 2 p.m. Saturday, the river wall was at 42.11 feet, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis District's River and Reservoir daily report.

But the level is scheduled to begin rising after 2 p.m. today and will reach 43 feet by Tuesday. Flood stage in Cape Girardeau is 32 feet.

If the river crests beyond the 43 1/2-foot mark, it will take over the No. 10 spot of historic high-water marks at Cape Girardeau. Holding that position is a crest of 42.40 feet May 27, 1943, according to water.weather.gov.

Originally, the National Weather Service expected the river to crest Wednesday at 43 feet, but Deanna Lindstrom of the service said rising river levels are based on rainfall anticipated in addition to what has already fallen north of the Cape Girardeau area.

She also said the Missouri River basin all drains from St. Louis into the Mississippi River, which affects the south as well.