2016 Midwest Spring Flooding Outlook

Spring is Just Around the Corner 


With the rainy season just around the corner, it's time to start thinking about how the weather will affect us this spring. Flooding is generally a concern this time of year; in addition to the excess rainfall that typically occurs throughout the coming months, snowmelt is also a concern. The first of the 2016 spring flood outlooks have been released from the National Weather Service. Let's take a look at the spring flooding potential for the Rock Island District in the Midwest, which includes the states of Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin.

Spring 2016 Flood Potential Outlook 


The spring 2016 probabilistic flood potential outlook for the Upper Mississippi River Basin was issued by the National Weather Service on February 18. The outlook covers the period from February 21 to May 21 and provides a statistical assessment of flood potential due to snowmelt and normal spring thawing conditions. While the actual extent of flooding will depend on the timing and rate of snowmelt, as well as the amount of rainfall that occurs, the flood probabilities are based on current hydrologic conditions including snowpack, soil moisture, streamflow, etc. These conditions are then simulated using a broad spectrum of spring weather conditions from the climate record of 1949 to 2012.

Current Snowmelt Flood Potential 


Generally, the spring snowmelt flood potential is near to above normal along tributary and mainstem rivers within the Rock Island District through late May. More specifically, the probabilities show an increased or above normal risk for flooding within portions of the Des Moines, Cedar and Iowa River basins in Iowa, the Rock River Basin in Illinois, and the Mississippi River, mainly downstream of Lock and Dam 16 into the St. Louis District.

Snowmelt Flood Risk

The spring snowmelt flood risk is currently near normal for the Illinois River basin, as well as the Maquoteka, Wapsipinicon and Skunk River basins in Iowa and the tributaries in northeastern Missouri.   
  • SOIL MOISTURE - Soil moisture conditions are much higher than normal for this time of year across the entire Rock Island District, in large part from a significantly warm and wet November and December. 
  • STREAMFLOWS - Streamflows have also been above to much above normal this winter across the majority of the District, including across Iowa and northwest Illinois. Streamflows have returned closer to normal for the Illinois River basin and northeastern Missouri over the recent weeks. 
  • SNOWPACK - The current snowpack and associated liquid water content varies across the Rock Island District, from above normal in central and north central Iowa, to near or below normal across the rest of the District. Further to the north in the upper portions of the Mississippi River drainage area, the snowpack and liquid water content is below normal across central and northern portions of Minnesota and Wisconsin. 
The combination of these current hydrologic conditions points to a generally near to above normal spring snowmelt flood potential for the District.

Flood Protection from Big Bags USA®


If you're concerned about the flooding potential in your area this spring, Big Bags USA® can help! We are ready to help federal, state and local agencies be prepared for whatever mother nature decides to throw at us this spring. Our flood barrier systems can handle the highest demands at a fraction of the cost normally associated with rapid deployed systems. Give us a call today at 800-337-0537 for more information on our protective flood barriers.

If you have an immediate need for our systems, or have any questions for us, please Call us Toll Free at 1-800-337-0537 or visit www.BigBagsUSA.com.


D.R.I.P.S.
Disaster Relief & Innovative
Protection Systems, LLC
(573) 480-6699

Let's Connect!

ALWAYS READY TO HELP LOCAL, STATE, & FEDERAL AGENCIES ... BE PREPARED!

Location: Camdenton, MO 65020, USA

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