Mississippi River may reach levels not seen since 2002

Heavy rains and flooding in Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Minnesota will send the Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau up to levels near those last seen in 2002 and just four feet below the record crest, according to official predictions.

The National Weather Service predicted Thursday morning that the river will crest at 44.5 feet on June 24. The highest level seen this year was 41 feet on March 24, a week after massive rains in our area resulted in severe flash flooding.

The river level was 36.5 feet at 11 a.m. Thursday, up six inches in the past 24 hours. The rise to 44.5 feet will be slow, with the river expected to reach 38 feet by Monday.

River levels at the predicted height could severely damage recently planted corn and soybean crops along creeks and drainage ditches as well as harm wheat crops that have not been harvested.

A crest of 44.5 feet would also require floodgates on North Main Street and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad to be put in place. Cape Girardeau's wastewater treatment plant south of downtown would be forced to pump the city's sewage directly into the Mississippi River.

Current plans are in place to close floodgate at Broadway on Water Street on Friday afternoon.

For updates, check back at semissourian.com or read Friday's Southeast Missourian.