ON BEHALF OF Monarch-Chesterfield Levee District: Agricultural levee protecting undeveloped ground in Chesterfield Valley, Missouri expected to be overtopped; developed areas not threatened

Officials of the Monarch-Chesterfield Levee District report today that Missouri River levels near Chesterfield, Missouri are forecasted to reach 34.5 feet at the St. Charles Gage on Wednesday, May 3rd. The forecast level is approximately 5.5 feet below levels experienced in the 1993 flood.  Based on this forecast, officials anticipate the Missouri River will overtop an agricultural levee located north of the Monarch-Chesterfield Levee, which is north of Interstate Highway 40/64 in an area known as “Chesterfield Valley”. The agricultural levee is privately maintained and provides flood risk mitigation to undeveloped agricultural, recreational/conservation areas north of the Monarch-Chesterfield Levee.  The Monarch-Chesterfield Levee and the approximately 4,700 acres of developed land within the levee system will not be affected by the flooding based on the current forecast.  The Levee District reports that the height of the Monarch-Chesterfield Levee system has been raised between 5 and 7 feet since 1993 and widened by as much as 300 feet.   Based upon the forecast crest, the water should be 12 to 14 feet from the top of the main levee.   "If you hear of flooding in Chesterfield Valley," reports Henry Dubinsky, President of the Levee District, "it is the agricultural levee.  The main levee system should not be tested by this flood event."

The Monarch-Chesterfield Levee District is the local agency that oversees the levee system in Chesterfield Valley, Missouri.

Questions should be directed to David Human at 314-480-1710, 314-452-1960 (cell) or david.human@huschblackwell.com