Mississippi River expected to crest at highest level since 2002

The Mississippi River rose in a rush Tuesday, gaining more than 6 feet on the Cape Girardeau gauge in a little more than 18 hours as it surged toward a predicted crest Sunday that would be the highest level since 2002.

Widespread rain across Missouri and Illinois, pumping water into a river already running high because of runoff from recent heavy snows and ice storms, will force the closing of both Cape Girardeau flood gates if the predicted crest of 40 feet holds true.

The gate at Themis and Water streets will be closed today, said Andy Juden, president of the Main Street Levee District. The gate at Broadway and Water Street will likely be closed Thursday, he said, but district officials will keep a close eye on the river, leaving the gate open if it appears the crest will not be reached and closing it early if the river rises faster than expected.

The water reaches the Themis Street gate at 35.5 feet on the Cape Girardeau gauge; water reaches the Broadway gate at 39 feet. At 10 p.m. Tuesday, the gauge reading was 31.9 feet.

Juden said he knows to keep his eye on forecasts during a high water event. "River forecasts after this much rain is somewhat ambiguous," he said. The Corps of Engineers "has indicated to me I will have a better forecast tomorrow. They have a tendency to err on the high side, which is fine."

The river reached flood stage last week at Cape Girardeau, reaching 34 feet. In 2002, the river crested at 45.68 feet at Cape Girardeau. The highest level ever recorded at Cape Girardeau occurred Aug. 8, 1993, when the river climbed to 48 feet.

During the high water last week, a circuit breaker in the Water Street pump house shorted out, Juden said. The circuit breaker is repaired, and the pumps can deliver storm water to the river even at the rates seen Tuesday afternoon in downtown Cape Girardeau, he said.

The district has been pushing to obtain federal money for floodwall repairs, but Juden said there would be no danger even during a repeat of the 1993 flood levels.

Asked when he would worry about a floodwall failure, Juden said: "When it overtops, which is 54 feet on the Cape Girardeau gauge. And you have to realize, when you talk about overtopping the floodwall that you would be losing so many levees along the river that it wouldn't happen."

Levees on the Illinois side can withstand a 52-foot river level, he noted.

rkeller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126

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