At Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities, the river is two feet above flood stage and should drop to flood stage early next week (Tuesday around 1 pm).
Hydrologist, Matt Wilson, says river levels will continue to be elevated for a couple of months. And streamflows will be high, too. That means more water flowing by and stronger currents.
“Anytime anybody wants to go down and do anything near or on the river, just be cognizant that there are cleanup efforts underway. And the river is still running high, if not at flood stage. So it is still dangerous.”
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Quad Cities National Weather Service
Wilson says debris is also a hazard in and along the Mississippi. “There might be something that’s still submerged. And because the river is still slightly elevated, it’s not exposed to the surface. But it’s just right below the surface that either a swimmer or somebody in a small personal watercraft could get hung on or even capsized in.”
He does not recommend swimming in the river, but it could be a good time to go fishing.
Roads that have been underwater may not be stable due to erosion. This week, Davenport Public Works found a storm sewer sinkhole on River Drive near the foot of Brady Street. It must be repaired before that part of the street is re-opened.
Mostly minor flooding is occurring on the river from Dubuque downstream to LeClaire, with moderate flooding from the Quad Cities to Gladstone. Burlington is the last location where major flooding continues.
Wilson will take a few, well-deserved days off. Then he’ll start conducting post-flood surveys. You can listen to him discuss what’s involved in the process by clicking the blue, listen/play button above.