RELATED:SOUTH SIOUX CITY -July 23, 2011 - At the same time the Missouri River is rushing past South Sioux City's riverfront levees and causing a couple companies with still-unannounced industrial development projects to leave them up in the air for now, City Administrator Lance Hedquist said the flooding at least has one bright side.
Two important parts of the city remain high and dry: the Roth Industrial Park -- home to Beef Products Inc., Solbar USA (formerly Green Planet soy processing) and Omega Industries, among others -- and the 100-acre site the city has been developing as a Power Park to attract companies with massive amounts of data to store or process.
There is "not a drop of water," he said, of both locations. The city spent more than $640,000 several years ago to raise low spots in the Power Park site in order to get the land out of the 500-year flood plain in time to be identified that way on the Army Corps of Engineers' new maps.
The flooding nearby gave the city a chance to take photographs from the air and the ground showing that even when the river rises, those sites are dry.
Hedquist said that prospective companies sometimes ask about flooding, with the river so close. But, thanks to the current flood -- and the timely photographs they can see proof that neither site will flood, even when the river rises.
http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/article_dc1e26a7-fbd9-59af-bc0b-dc18b00e1e69.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed
YouTube: ROTH INDUSTRIAL PARK, SIOUX CITY, NEBRASKA
GOOGLE LAT LONG BLOG | UPDATED IMAGERY OF MISSOURI RIVER FLOODING
Spreading sinkhole in Council Bluffs IA tied to sewer collapse due to Missouri River flooding raising water table
A large sinkhole in Council Bluffs started as a dip in the road and just kept growing.
The sinkhole now measures 20 feet wide and 10 feet deep. It spans the width of a street and has started destroying a driveway. Repair costs could run close to $220,000.
City spokesman Don Gross linked the sinkhole to the collapse of a sewer, which happened when Missouri River flooding raised the water table.
$26 million for Omaha's International Eppley Airfield Missouri River flood fight
PLATTE RIVER RISES
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. - Saturday July 23, 2011 — The rising waters of the South Platte River aren't causing much of a concern for local forecasters.
Brian Hirsch, meteorologist in charge at the National Weather Service in North Platte, said the river was at 10.24 feet as of 1 p.m. Friday. Flood stage is 13 feet.
"I don't think we'll get to that level," Hirsch said. Last year the river peaked at 11.44 feet on June 24.
"We typically see it rise around the beginning of July, so we're several weeks late," Hirsch said. He attributed the delay to the fact that it took longer this year for the snow to melt in Colorado.
Runoff from the mountains feeds the river. It worked out well that the rise came later, because it gave irrigation a chance to pick up.
"That's taken the worst of it off for us," Hirsch said. "We're not looking for the river to go much higher — maybe 10.5 feet by Saturday, then we'll see it sharply drop off under 10 by Sunday evening. When everyone gets back to work Monday and crosses the bridge, it should be closer to 9 feet."
The North Platte River is also expected to rise slightly.
"It has fallen quite a lot," said Hirsch. "It's at about 6.2 feet, and we don't see it going much above 6.5 feet, where it will stay through Oct. 1. Central dropped the inflows just a little bit to help take the bite off the South Platte."
River levels at Brady were at 8.2 feet Friday afternoon. Flood stage there is 7.5 feet.
"They're managing to keep it at minor flooding," Hirsch said. "It will probably reach 8.4 feet on Sunday and won't fall below flood stage until Wednesday. If they wouldn't have taken a little bit off the North Platte, it would have pushed them closer to 9 feet."
OMAHA.COM | Latest on the Missouri River Flooding - July 23, 2011
Berm repaired: A flood berm that collapsed last month at the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station has been replaced. The Omaha Public Power District said Friday that the berm is keeping Missouri River floodwaters away from the plant. The 2,000-foot berm collapsed June 26, allowing water to surround the auxiliary and containment buildings. OPPD has said the berm was an extra protection not required by its flood plan, and federal regulators said the failure caused no threat to the public. The nuclear plant was shut down in early April for refueling and remains off line because of flooding.
Take a picture: Residents affected by floodwaters are urged to take photos and document property damage before making repairs. Homeowners should keep receipts for cleaning supplies, materials and contracted repair work, the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency said. Gov. Dave Heineman has asked the federal government to approve individual assistance in 33 counties where homes are damaged. If that request is approved, good record-keeping will help, NEMA officials said.
New heights: Construction on Interstate 29 south of Blencoe should be completed in time for weekend travelers, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation. The southbound lanes have been elevated about 1 foot to keep floodwaters at bay.
Then there was one: The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency now is staffing only one flood telephone hotline. Information is available at 855-211-2453 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Almost reopened: Iowa roads officials say work to protect the Highway 175 bridge between Onawa, Iowa, and Decatur, Neb., from erosion by floodwaters was completed Friday. However, the bridge will remain closed until it has been inspected and deemed safe for travel.
Danger zone: Residents are asked to wait until authorities declare that a flood zone is safe before returning to their homes, said the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency. Homes or buildings with water damage are hazardous, officials said.
Grants available: Applications for disaster relief grants are available on the Pottawattamie County Community Foundation website, www.ourpccf.org, or by calling 712-256-7007. Grants are available to individuals and agencies and government entities. Individuals and groups working together may apply for up to $500 assistance for a specific need related to the disaster, such as moving expenses, pump or generator purchase, appliance replacement or repairs, household repairs and furnishings. Agencies and government entities may be awarded up to $2,000. Depending on the level of donations, that amount may be increased. Donations can be made in support of the flood relief effort at www.ourpccf.org.
Railroading: Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway isn't waiting for floodwaters to recede to get a critical stretch of track reopened in northwest Missouri. The line from Lincoln to Kansas City has been closed since mid-June by flooding around Big Lake, Mo. Andy Williams, BNSF spokesman, said Friday the company is building four bridges and elevating the track where it crosses the Missouri River valley. The work is being done along 3.5 miles of track between the river and the town of Fortescue. The line is used to transport coal from Wyoming to the Kansas City area, and to carry other cargo.
Down came the rains: The Missouri River at Omaha is expected to rise to 36 feet by Monday, because of rains in the Big and Little Sioux River basins. The National Weather Service estimates that the water level will decrease to 35 feet by Wednesday. Flood stage at Omaha is 29 feet.
Pumps in place: Omaha officials said all of its water pumps are in place and capable of removing up to 1 billion gallons of water from the city and into the Missouri River.
Sandbagging resumes: Sandbagging efforts in Omaha were put on hold during the heat wave, but volunteers are needed next week. Sandbagging shifts will resume Thursday at 18th and Cass Streets.
RadiationNetwork.com
Missouri River Dams and River Levels Flood Map
US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS RELEASES NEW FORECAST SCHEDULE OF RELEASE - 6 MAINSTEM MISSOURI BASIN DAMS
Updated Daily
NOAA Hydrologic - Water Level at Gavins Point Dam, near Ft. Calhoun and Cooper Nuclear Plants
http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/river.php?wfo=abr&wfoid=18696&riverid=203276&view=1%2C1%2C1%2C1%2C1%2C1%2C1%2C1&toggles=10%2C7%2C8%2C2%2C9%2C15%2C6&pt[]=145640&pt[]=142853&pt[]=144098&pt[]=144183&pt[]=142396&pt[]=143355&allpoints=143990%2C145585%2C145025%2C145026%2C144876%2C145027%2C143234%2C143184%2C145519%2C145640%2C144217%2C142150%2C142780%2C142853%2C145202%2C141586%2C144582%2C143543%2C144796%2C144098%2C144240%2C141320%2C141614%2C142968%2C144183%2C142574%2C143478%2C142193%2C142760%2C142003%2C142610%2C142396%2C144496%2C147345%2C141899%2C143355%2C142050%2C141570%2C144165%2C143476%2C141703%2C142023%2C144123%2C141863%2C143539%2C143436%2C141917%2C143009%2C142688%2C142640%2C143925%2C143734%2C142729%2C143790%2C142668%2C141962%2C142132&data[]=hydrograph&submit=Make+my+River+Page!
GARRISON DAM - NORTH DAKOTA
FT RANDALL DAM - NEAR CHAMBERLAIN SD
GAVINS POINT DAM - NEAR YANKTON SD
RESERVOIR CONTROL CENTER REPORTS
Link to daily report:
The Cave's Archive: NW DIVISION OF THE US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS RESERVOIR CONTROL CENTER DAILY REPORT
Link: THE CAVE'S OVERFLOW - Archive of the Cave's Daily Flood of 2011 Updates
