Flooding along the upper Mississippi River is affecting navigation, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
"High river levels have forced us to close two of our locks and dams. Lock and Dam 24 and 25 are both closed right now," said Mike Peterson, chief of public affairs.
"But there’s not a lot of river navigation going on along the upper river right now because upstream of us there is a whole lot of closed locks and dams."
Flood crests on the Mississippi are expected over the next week, but Peterson is not expecting much higher levels.
The Corps has dispatched two flood fight teams, with one working in the St. Charles area and the other in Elsberry.
"We do see forecasted levels that may overtop some of the agricultural levees in our area. But none of the major areas, major populated areas, are threatened," said Peterson.
The Corps has already issued more than 180,000 sandbags to help hold the floodwaters back.
River to Rise in St. Louis
The high water along the upper Mississippi has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a flood warning for St. Louis.
It is expected to take effect Wednesday night, with the river poised to crest near 32.5 feet Saturday. The flood stage at St. Louis is 30 feet.
The Army Corps of Engineers maintains an online table of river and reservoir levels in its St. Louis District.
