Chesterfield Valley Watch 2015-12-31

Heavy rainfall in the Midwest and St. Louis area has resulted in the Missouri River rising above flood stage.  The City of Chesterfield enacts its “Valley Watch” when the Missouri River reaches a level of 29 or higher as measured at the Hermann, Missouri gauge.  A “Valley Watch” is intended to initiate a heightened level of awareness for Chesterfield Officials, the Monarch – Chesterfield Levee District, and property owners within Chesterfield Valley.  

Please note that at this time the level of the Missouri River only warrants the issuance of a “Valley Watch”.  A “Valley Advisory” is not initiated unless the Missouri River, as measured at the Hermann, Missouri gauge, reaches a level of 36. Please be advised that a river level of 36 roughly correlates to a surface elevation which is five to ten feet below the top of the levee.      

12/31/2015:  As of the morning of December 31, 2015 the Missouri River level as measured at Hermann was 33.5 feet.  The river crested Tuesday at a level of 34.8.  All flash flood watches and warnings have expired.  All roads in Chesterfield are open with the exception of Eatherton Road from Centaur Road to Wild Horse Creek Road / 109 (due to slope failure on the east side of Eatherton).  Drainage areas in Chesterfield Valley are holding water as the pump stations work to pump water from the levee protected area.  It will take several days for the water to be pumped from Chesterfield Valley.  The Monarch – Chesterfield Levee District continues to monitor the situation closely and is working to ensure that all the pumps are operating optimally. 

The Missouri River at St. Charles was at a stage of 34.9 at 8:00 am on December 31, 2015.  The Missouri River crested at 35.0 in St. Charles on Wednesday.  The river level is expected to fall slowly, receding to a level of 30.0 on January 3.  The Chesterfield Valley Watch will not be updated again unless conditions change or the Missouri River does not recede as expected.