Valley Watch Update

Valley Watch

In accordance with the City of Chesterfield's operations plans, we have initiated the Valley Watch phase.

Given the news related to the storms, flooding and river levels, amount of news regarding flooding, levees, and severe weather; this shall serve as an update to provide the current and near term predicted levels for the Missouri River. Public Works Staff monitors river conditions continuously and as conditions warrant, we will initiate reports and advisories in accordance with the City's adopted flood watch\warning system.

As you can see from the chart below, the St. Charles gauge (which is approximately one-half Day downstream from Chesterfield Valley) was read at 32.9 feet am this morning. The Missouri River crested in St. Charles this last Sunday, and is expected to continue trending downward. These projections Included expected\predicted precipitation for the next 24 hours.

In accordance with the established Valley Watch\Warning protocols, the Valley Watch stays in effect until the St. Charles gauge reading falls to 30 or below. If the current predictions are accurate, that is expected to occur on Thursday, 6/6/2013.

The Hermann gauge, which is approximately one day upstream of the City, is used as a predecessor indicator of what is heading our way. The Hermann gauge had a reading of 30.9 this morning, and crested last Saturday at 33.14. As with the St. Charles gauge, forecasts are for a continuous drop during the next week.

Despite our expectations otherwise, the agricultural levee, located on the north side of the main Monarch-Chesterfield levee, north of Highway 40/64 did not overtop. It was extremely close and overtopping was prevented only due to some interim measures employed by the Monarch Levee District. While overtopping of the agricultural levee does not constitute any imminent threat to the main levee, it is a significant event that is visible and often misinterpreted. A significant portion of the Monarch-Chesterfield Levee Trail is already closed due to the construction of the new Missouri River Bridge. However, as river levels increase, it may be necessary to close other sections in order to provide for the best river monitoring and response scenarios.

I hope this information is useful.St Charles GaugeHermann Gauge

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