Corps of Engineers prepares for rising river levels

Published May 31, 2013

 

ST. LOUIS – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis District is responding to flooding on the Mississippi River by activating its Emergency Operations Center in St. Louis and closing locks on the Mississippi River.

With high water forecasted over the next week on the Upper Mississippi River, the Corps activated its Emergency Operations Center in St. Louis today. The EOC activation allows the Corps to provide teams and resources to support local flood fighting efforts. Corps personnel have contacted affected levee districts to coordinate flood fighting activities and ensure supplies such as sand bags, pumps and plastic are available if needed.

Barge traffic on the river will also be impacted by high water as Lock and Dam 24 in Clarksville, Mo., closed to navigation today. Lock and Dam 25 at Winfield, Mo., will close to navigation tomorrow. Lock closures are essential to protect critical components and facilities from flood waters and be able to restore services as quickly and economically as possible after water levels recede.

Based on the most recent forecasts from the National Weather Service, Mel Price Lock and Dam in Alton, Ill., and Locks 27 in Granite City, Ill., are not currently anticipating closures.

For more information, visit http://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/


Contact
Mike Petersen
314-331-8002
michael.w.petersen@usace.army.mil

Release no. 13-047