Areal Flooding - Missouri River is Flooding. UPDATED 7/1- Pics All Pages. Flash Floods also.

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Areal Flooding - Missouri River is Flooding. UPDATED 7/1- Pics All Pages. Flash Floods also. (Page 1 of 5)

Posted: 5/25/2011 11:06:40 AM EDT

First time I've seen that alert (Regional Flood). About 1 mi south (river-wise) of the Oahe dam. The dam is currently full, water is leaking from the emergency spillway (never been used). Not sure what is up, sounds like they are generating electricity at full output to lower the level of the 250 river miles up stream to Bismark.

With the extra rain over the south, the flooded areas are going to be getting another bit of water, as the Missouri dam system is FULL at this point, so they are opening up the chain of dams. The ironic part is that this time last year and the year before there wasn't much for fishing since the dam was way low on water due to extra discharge for navigation in the Mississippi.

AREAL FLOOD ADVISORY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ABERDEEN SD
208 AM CDT WED MAY 25 2011

SDC065-117-260700-
/O.NEW.KABR.FA.Y.0003.110525T0708Z-110526T0700Z/
/00000.N.RS.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
HUGHES SD-STANLEY SD-
208 AM CDT WED MAY 25 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ABERDEEN HAS ISSUED A

* FLOOD ADVISORY FOR THE MISSOURI RIVER IN FORT PIERRE...
EAST CENTRAL STANLEY COUNTY IN CENTRAL SOUTH DAKOTA...
WEST CENTRAL HUGHES COUNTY IN CENTRAL SOUTH DAKOTA...

* UNTIL 200 AM CDT THURSDAY/100 AM MDT THURSDAY/

* AT 146 AM CDT/1246 AM MDT/...LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS
REPORTED MINOR FLOODING OCCURRING ACROSS THE ADVISORY AREA.

* SOME LOCATIONS THAT WILL EXPERIENCE MINOR FLOODING ALONG THE
MISSOURI RIVER INCLUDE...FORT PIERRE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

WELL ABOVE AVERAGE WINTER SNOWPACK AND RECENT HEAVY RAIN IN THE
NORTHERN ROCKIES AND NORTHERN HIGH PLAINS WILL CAUSE MINOR FLOODING
ALONG THE MISSOURI RIVER IN FORT PIERRE. LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS
REPORTED MINOR FLOODING OVER SEVERAL ROADWAYS ALONG THE RIVER IN
FORT PIERRE. MINOR FLOODING WILL CONTINUE AS THE RIVER LEVEL
CONTINUES TO SLOWLY RISE OVER THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

AS RIVER LEVELS CONTINUE TO GRADUALLY RISE...THE WATER TABLE WILL
RISE NEAR THE SHORES OF THE MISSOURI RIVER...POSSIBLY IMPACTING
BASEMENTS IN HOMES AND BUSINESSES. IF YOU LIVE ALONG THE RIVER
SHORE...MAKE ANY NECESSARY PREPARATIONS TO KEEP YOUR HOME OR
BUSINESS DRY...SUCH AS MAKING SURE YOUR SUMP PUMP IS IN PROPER
WORKING ORDER.

DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE
ROADWAY. THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO CROSS
SAFELY.

––ETA: Found Graph:

Supposed to be in the "Major Flood" by June 2

Map

––ETA: Videos
Flood Report, 10pm 5/28/11
Flooding Worse than expected. Shows Water in town on 5/29 daytime

Posted: 5/25/2011 11:35:53 AM EDT

[#1]

Quoted:
First time I've seen that alert (Regional Flood). About 1 mi south (river-wise) of the Oahe dam. The dam is currently full, water is leaking from the emergency spillway (never been used). Not sure what is up, sounds like they are generating electricity at full output to lower the level of the 250 river miles up stream to Bismark.

With the extra rain over the south, the flooded areas are going to be getting another bit of water, as the Missouri dam system is FULL at this point, so they are opening up the chain of dams. The ironic part is that this time last year and the year before there wasn't much for fishing since the dam was way low on water due to extra discharge for navigation in the Mississippi.

AREAL FLOOD ADVISORY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ABERDEEN SD
208 AM CDT WED MAY 25 2011

SDC065-117-260700-
/O.NEW.KABR.FA.Y.0003.110525T0708Z-110526T0700Z/
/00000.N.RS.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
HUGHES SD-STANLEY SD-
208 AM CDT WED MAY 25 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ABERDEEN HAS ISSUED A

* FLOOD ADVISORY FOR THE MISSOURI RIVER IN FORT PIERRE...
EAST CENTRAL STANLEY COUNTY IN CENTRAL SOUTH DAKOTA...
WEST CENTRAL HUGHES COUNTY IN CENTRAL SOUTH DAKOTA...

* UNTIL 200 AM CDT THURSDAY/100 AM MDT THURSDAY/

* AT 146 AM CDT/1246 AM MDT/...LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS
REPORTED MINOR FLOODING OCCURRING ACROSS THE ADVISORY AREA.

* SOME LOCATIONS THAT WILL EXPERIENCE MINOR FLOODING ALONG THE
MISSOURI RIVER INCLUDE...FORT PIERRE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

WELL ABOVE AVERAGE WINTER SNOWPACK AND RECENT HEAVY RAIN IN THE
NORTHERN ROCKIES AND NORTHERN HIGH PLAINS WILL CAUSE MINOR FLOODING
ALONG THE MISSOURI RIVER IN FORT PIERRE. LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS
REPORTED MINOR FLOODING OVER SEVERAL ROADWAYS ALONG THE RIVER IN
FORT PIERRE. MINOR FLOODING WILL CONTINUE AS THE RIVER LEVEL
CONTINUES TO SLOWLY RISE OVER THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

AS RIVER LEVELS CONTINUE TO GRADUALLY RISE...THE WATER TABLE WILL
RISE NEAR THE SHORES OF THE MISSOURI RIVER...POSSIBLY IMPACTING
BASEMENTS IN HOMES AND BUSINESSES. IF YOU LIVE ALONG THE RIVER
SHORE...MAKE ANY NECESSARY PREPARATIONS TO KEEP YOUR HOME OR
BUSINESS DRY...SUCH AS MAKING SURE YOUR SUMP PUMP IS IN PROPER
WORKING ORDER.

DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE
ROADWAY. THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO CROSS
SAFELY.

we get em quite often in Michigan, actually have one going on right now, LOL

J-

Posted: 5/25/2011 11:38:21 AM EDT

[#2]

four years ago we heard that the drought was so bad that it would take a decade for the river to fill back up..

Posted: 5/25/2011 11:41:47 AM EDT

[#3]

What is an Areal flood advisory? I suppose that is better then an Arealol flood advisory.

Posted: 5/25/2011 11:47:08 AM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:

we get em quite often in Michigan, actually have one going on right now, LOL

J-

Yeah it's going to be a fun 45min 2 hour drive home

Posted: 5/25/2011 11:47:34 AM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
What is an Areal flood advisory? I suppose that is better then an Arealol flood advisory.

From Yahoo Answers:

areal flooding is generally a larger area where due to no blockage but large volume of water rivers/canals burst there banks. usually where more than one water course meets

Posted: 5/25/2011 1:42:04 PM EDT

[#6]

Expanded to cover both sides of the river now. The Pierre side is a few feet higher than the Fort Pierre side.

Combined with the storms down south, I'm wondering what kind of effect this will have on the levees that are seeping already. Adding another 80,000 ft³ to the flow probably won't help much.

FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ABERDEEN SD
352 PM CDT WED MAY 25 2011

SDC065-117-282030-
/O.NEW.KABR.FA.W.0021.110525T2052Z-110528T2030Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
HUGHES SD-STANLEY SD-
352 PM CDT WED MAY 25 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ABERDEEN HAS ISSUED A

* FLOOD WARNING FOR RAPID RIVER RISES IN...
CENTRAL HUGHES COUNTY IN CENTRAL SOUTH DAKOTA...
CENTRAL STANLEY COUNTY IN CENTRAL SOUTH DAKOTA...

* UNTIL 330 PM CDT SATURDAY/230 PM MDT SATURDAY/

* THE MOST RECENT RELEASE SCHEDULE FOR THE GARRISON DAM IN NORTH
DAKOTA AND THE OAHE DAM NORTH OF PIERRE IS FOR INCREASED
RELEASES...WHICH WILL MEAN RISES IN THE MISSOURI RIVER. THESE
INCREASED RELEASES ARE DUE TO HEAVY RAINFALL THIS PAST WEEKEND
THAT FELL IN EASTERN MONTANA AND WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA...AS WELL AS
CONTINUED SNOWMELT OVER EASTERN MONTANA. GRADUAL RISES IN THE
RIVER FROM OAHE DAM TO SOUTH OF THE ROSSEAU AREA WILL OCCUR OVER
THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS...WITH MORE SIGNIFICANT RISES POSSIBLE
OVER THE WEEKEND.

THE MOST RECENT RELEASE SCHEDULE FOR BOTH THE GARRISON AND OAHE DAMS
TO INCREASE RELEASES TO 85 THOUSAND CFS BY MONDAY MAY 30TH. THE
STAGE ON THE MISSOURI RIVER AT PIERRE WAS AT 13.28 FEET WEDNESDAY
AFTERNOON. THE HIGH RELEASES MAY EVENTUALLY TAKE THE RIVER TO RECORD
LEVELS FROM OAHE DAM SOUTHWARD.

THE HIGH RELEASES FROM GARRISON DAM AND OAHE DAM ARE EXPECTED TO
BE MAINTAINED THROUGH JUNE. MELTWATER FROM THE ABOVE AVERAGE
SNOWFALL OVER THE MISSOURI HEADWATERS IS EXPECTED TO KEEP RIVER
LEVELS HIGH IN THESE RIVER BASINS THROUGH JUNE AND INTO EARLY JULY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

LAND OWNERS ON THE MISSOURI RIVER SHOULD PREPARE FOR ADDITIONAL
RISES IN THE RIVER LEVEL.

DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE
ROADWAY. THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO CROSS
SAFELY.

Posted: 5/25/2011 1:49:09 PM EDT

[#7]

I was raining so hard here about 10 minutes ago that I could not see the Court Building from by desk window. The court building BTW is about 40 yards away and is about a 40k sq/ft building, LOL

J-

Posted: 5/26/2011 12:25:33 PM EDT

[#8]

Update:

Things are sounding worse for folks in Pierre, Fort Pierre. Telling some residents to evacuate by Saturday, plan to be out until at least mid-summer. This dam was built from 1948 to 1962. Previous peak water flow before this event for this dam was 59,300 FPS in 1997.

On Saturday, May 28, the Corps will increase water flow from the Oahe Dam to 85,000 cubic feet per second (CFS). Subsequent flows will later increase as follows:
• 90,000 CFS on Saturday, June 4.
• 95,000 CFS on Sunday, June 5.
• 100,000 CFS on Monday, June 6.
As the snowmelt continues into late June and early July, the water flow will increase to 110,000 CFS and may reach 120,000 CFS.

Posted: 5/27/2011 4:22:38 PM EDT

[#9]

Yeah, heard they are piling up sandbags along streets near the water, people on the river side of those need to get out.

Never thought that'd happen in my life. Never thought I'd see all the spillways opened either.

Posted: 5/27/2011 4:31:49 PM EDT

[#10]

Shit is about to get areal. Stay safe.

Posted: 5/27/2011 4:41:24 PM EDT

[#11]

lake sakakawea is full too.

Bismarck, ND is facing a 500 yr flood. They're going to be building levees to protect some homes but many will be lost.

Garrison dam is going to be opened up enough to raise the Missouri to 21 feet.

http://www.kfyr.com/pages/flood.html

http://www.bismarcktribune.com/news/local/article_f78e24e2-88bc-11e0-b204-001cc4c03286.html

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will accelerate the release of
water from Garrison Dam, and the Burleigh County Commission has
approved several levee projects to protect more homes from the
flooding Missouri River.

At a special Burleigh County Commission meeting Friday
afternoon, Todd Lindquist, operations manager at the Garrison Dam,
said releases will go up to 85,000 cubic feet per second on Monday
as planned. However, they will increase again to 90,000 cfs on June
4, 95,000 on June 6 and 100,000 on June 7. Lindquist did not have a
date of when releases will go up to 105,000 cfs.

Levees are being built to protect many areas for flows of up to
120,000 cfs, which would put the river at an estimated 20 feet.
Flood stage for the Missouri River at Bismarck is 16 feet. The
river held steady most of Friday at 15.79 feet.

All that shit is coming down to you in Oahe.

Posted: 5/27/2011 7:56:05 PM EDT

[#12]

Same thing 250mi downstream, we'll be taking all of your output and sending it on down to the next full dam. It's gonna be an UGLY June.

http://www.ksfy.com/story/14743329/contract-awarded-for-pierre-fort-pierre-levees

The Army Corps of Engineers has completed the bid process and awarded the bid for the construction of emergency levees in the Pierre-Fort Pierre area. As of this evening, work on the levees has already begun. The contract requires that construction be complete by Tuesday, June 2.

Levees will be constructed to protect the shoreline south of the Missouri River bridge, on both the Pierre and Ft. Pierre sides of the river. No levees will be constructed north of the Missouri River bridge.

"The construction of these levees is an important step, but property owners should not rely on the levees getting finished in time or holding back the water once in place," said Governor Dennis Daugaard. "Weather and equipment can be unpredictable, and property owners should not abandon individual measures to protect their own property."

Engineers from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers worked through the night Thursday to design the levees. The levees' primary purpose is to protect public infrastructure; however, a secondary effect will be to also protect private property. The levees will be designed to prevent flooding from a release of water from Oahe Dam of up to 125,000 cubic feet per second (CFS), or a water level of 1,434 feet above sea level.

Details about the construction firms who won the bid, as well as the bid price for the Pierre and Ft. Pierre levees, will be made available Saturday morning. The project will be funded by the Army Corps of Engineers.

That still isn't going to save a few "Riverfront developments" in Pierre, especially the Northward ones, the houses with boat garages attached to their awesome houses.

The "On The River" development with the canals for boats on the Ft Pierre side by the RR Bridge is pretty much going to be a writeoff.

Water will be going over the causeway between Pierre and LaFromboise island by Sunday, Farm Island state park has been closed for the duration.

And fishing will suck for this year too, from all the mud and debris in the water.

Posted: 5/28/2011 9:10:37 AM EDT

[#13]

Still not on any mainstream media.

South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard says 2,000 residents in the Pierre-Fort Pierre area could be displaced by Missouri River floodwaters. He says that many residents are expected to see their homes flooded or surrounded by water and inaccessible. The flooding could last for as long as a couple of months.

Dams upstream on the Missouri are releasing record amounts of water because they're swollen by spring snowmelt and heavy rains.

There has been some confusion in the community but that no evacuations have been ordered. However, many residents are expected to leave their homes ahead of the floodwaters.

Red Cross officials have opened an emergency shelter in a Pierre school for displaced residents.

In a city of 14,000, 2,000 is a big chunk.

Posted: 5/28/2011 9:20:07 AM EDT

[#14]

This is a huge mess and will be so for many weeks. There aren't enough sandbags in SD to cover all of the areas that will be innundated by the floodwaters.

Posted: 5/28/2011 9:22:24 AM EDT

[#15]

This is supposed to last till at least july-august time frame also. The winter run off from Montana hasn't even started. Its very crazy in Bismarck right now

Posted: 5/28/2011 10:00:31 AM EDT

[#16]

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/sd/nwis/uv?cb_00065=on&format=gif_stats&period=7&site_no=06440000

Not sure if this will work, didn't find the graphs used fro the Mississippi river flood.

The flow is about 30% of max, it is expected to peak on Monday now.

Normal River Level is 1420 ft ASL. Expected to reach 1434 ft ASL (14 feet higher), most areas are only built to 5-8 feet higher based on Corps flood estimates since the dam was built.

The COE will be buying any property damaged, or paying for damages. They are also sorry, if that helps.

Posted: 5/28/2011 10:08:24 AM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:

Still not on any mainstream media.

South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard says 2,000 residents in the Pierre-Fort Pierre area could be displaced by Missouri River floodwaters. He says that many residents are expected to see their homes flooded or surrounded by water and inaccessible. The flooding could last for as long as a couple of months.
Dams upstream on the Missouri are releasing record amounts of water because they're swollen by spring snowmelt and heavy rains.
There has been some confusion in the community but that no evacuations have been ordered. However, many residents are expected to leave their homes ahead of the floodwaters.
Red Cross officials have opened an emergency shelter in a Pierre school for displaced residents.

In a city of 14,000, 2,000 is a big chunk.

That sounds like more than just an "UGLY june'.

Posted: 5/28/2011 2:44:47 PM EDT

[#18]

Other graphs weren't updating, maybe this one will

Volunteers are filling sandbags, Hwy 34 to Pierre is nearly closed due to traffic of dump trucks.

I believe I'm heading there tonight/tomorrow to help a bit. I'll get and post pictures. Water is currently at about 1432 ft ASL, a couple streets and most all of the islands in the river are now submerged by a few feet.

This gauge is now broken, unsure of the data it will be giving:

Posted: 5/28/2011 2:55:26 PM EDT

[#19]

Might I ask how you figure the level is at 1432 right now?

Not questioning you, just wondering... Did you do Gage height plus Gage reading?

I was up there to bag some stuff for work. Very crazy, going to be quite ugly... But if it is suppose to only come up 2 more feet it might not be as bad as I was picturing in my head..

Posted: 5/28/2011 3:02:22 PM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/sd/nwis/uv?cb_00065=on&format=gif_stats&period=7&site_no=06440000

Not sure if this will work, didn't find the graphs used fro the Mississippi river flood.

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwisweb/graph?agency_cd=USGS&site_no=06440000&parm_cd=00065&period=7&format=gif_stats

The flow is about 30% of max, it is expected to peak on Monday now.

Normal River Level is 1420 ft ASL. Expected to reach 1434 ft ASL (14 feet higher), most areas are only built to 5-8 feet higher based on Corps flood estimates since the dam was built.

The COE will be buying any property damaged, or paying for damages. They are also sorry, if that helps.

Why should the taxpayers be on the hook for flooding?

Posted: 5/28/2011 3:20:29 PM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:
Might I ask how you figure the level is at 1432 right now?

Not questioning you, just wondering... Did you do Gage height plus Gage reading?

I was up there to bag some stuff for work. Very crazy, going to be quite ugly... But if it is suppose to only come up 2 more feet it might not be as bad as I was picturing in my head..

Gauge Height + Reading matches the water over the causeway being at knee level.

I was looking at two different gauge bases, it's 1429 right now.
Gage datum 1,414.26 feet above NGVD29 For this graph:

Previous High Water since the dam was bulit was 1997 at 11.65 ft.
Latest reading today is 15.14ft
Water Level Above Sea Level is 1429.4 ft

5 ft to go for the currently anticipated crest of 1435 ft next weekend.

Posted: 5/28/2011 3:22:15 PM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:
This is supposed to last till at least july-august time frame also. The winter run off from Montana hasn't even started. Its very crazy in Bismarck right now

This is something to keep your eyes on folks. We have had record snow pack this year in the mountains, a late winter storm that dumped a shit ton more in late April and it has been raining here for almost a week straight. We are experiencing flooding in several areas of the state I believe the Roundup area is being hit the hardest. I live less than three blocks from the Missouri here in Great Falls, It is the highest I can ever recall seeing it. All this water has to go somewhere. My prayers for everyone downstream that will have to deal with this.

Posted: 5/28/2011 3:33:41 PM EDT

[#23]

Hate to kick folks when they are down, but, the Shoshone and Big Horn Rivers are dumping massive amounts of water from their resovoirs right now because of 150-200% snowpacks. Both tributaries of the Missouri.

Posted: 5/28/2011 10:37:49 PM EDT

[#24]

I don't think there will be the "Big City" problems in Pierre, luckily.

Volunteers fill sandbags, SD National Guard inbound

Sandbagging in Pierre and Fort Pierre goes non-stop for 52 hours and counting, as floodwater continues creeping into both towns. City officials hope to step up those efforts as the Army Corps of Engineers increases the amount of water being released from the Oahe Dam.

Truck after truck after truck haul sand to the site near Pierre's landfill––114 tons the first day alone. People in Pierre pull together, whether their home is in danger or not, to see the capital city through the coming crisis.

"We ran all through the night. We had volunteers throughout the night, and we will go through the night the next couple of days," said Val Keller, the solid waste manager for the City of Pierre. She's running the operation because it's at one of her buildings.
...... <continued at link with video>

Posted: 5/29/2011 5:19:13 AM EDT

[#25]

Announced they are releasing 150,000 cfs by mid June at garrison dam. "The corps intends to release 85,000 cfs on Monday, 105,000 cfs on Wednesday and 120,000 cfs on Thursday, said Todd Lindquist, the operations manager for the Garrison Dam." http://www.bismarcktribune.com/news/local/article_b8ae9354-897c-11e0-b909-001cc4c002e0.html

Posted: 5/29/2011 5:29:28 AM EDT

[#26]

Quoted:

Quoted:
What is an Areal flood advisory? I suppose that is better then an Arealol flood advisory.

From Yahoo Answers:

areal flooding is generally a larger area where due to no blockage but large volume of water rivers/canals burst there banks. usually where more than one water course meets

I think someone just got schooled.

Posted: 5/29/2011 6:01:36 AM EDT

[#27]

Corp adjusted their plan at Oahe dam.

Now until June 2 they will be going at 85,000 CFS
From June 2 until mid-June they will be at 130,000 CFS
Mid-June on they plan to be at 150,000 CFS

Max at Oahe Dam is 165,000 CFS. After that the floodgates are the next step.

All per Keloland TV.

Posted: 5/29/2011 11:12:14 AM EDT

[#28]

Talking to my friends in Bismarck it's getting freaky there. Some of the stuff they planned on saving in that map I posted above is now going to be abandoned because they're going to up the garrison dam releases to 150,000 cfs.

http://www.nd.gov/des//uploads/resources/722/2011_flood_event_map_5-28-2011_5pm.pdf

Posted: 5/29/2011 11:26:43 AM EDT

[#29]

Quoted:
Talking to my friends in Bismarck it's getting freaky there. Some of the stuff they planned on saving in that map I posted above is now going to be abandoned because they're going to up the garrison dam releases to 150,000 cfs.

http://www.nd.gov/des//uploads/resources/722/2011_flood_event_map_5-28-2011_5pm.pdf

They pretty much ain't even giving a elevation for Pierre anymore... Personally i think the 1434' is a dream. I don't think anyone knows where it is gonna be...
At about 15 right now, or 1430 ish from what I understand and I have heard some folks talking that it could hit 21'... But again, no one knows.

Posted: 5/29/2011 11:31:13 AM EDT

[#30]

Quoted:

Quoted:
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/sd/nwis/uv?cb_00065=on&format=gif_stats&period=7&site_no=06440000
...The COE will be buying any property damaged, or paying for damages...

Why should the taxpayers be on the hook for flooding?

Someone has there hand out.

That's how that works these days.

Posted: 5/29/2011 11:34:06 AM EDT

[#31]

I'm surprised the flooding problem here in Ohio isn't worse than it is right now.

We only had two days in April when it did not rain.

In May, we've had about five days without rain.

Farmer's fields are waterlogged and some crops are already a write-off because it's too late to plant them now.

Shittiest spring weather I've ever seen. Hope summer isn't ruined too.

Oh yeah - and the Weather Channel radar shows another storm coming of course.

Posted: 5/29/2011 11:42:25 AM EDT

[#32]

A bunch of folks I know sandbagged for several days straight. An elderly friend gave up trying to save his $750,000 home when the water started rising up through the ground into the basement, thus circumventing the sandbags. The ground is apparently a lot of sand and gravel, which permeated quickly with the water. We turned on the pump but then power went out in the area and has been out for days now. Game over. We moved everything we could - even doors and carpet, although the carpet will probably be discarded - upstairs to try and save it.

I heard he was taken to the hospital yesterday for stress and a possible mild heart attack. He has been completely independant his entire life and losing everything is proving to be too much for him. One story of many to come, I'm afraid.

Posted: 5/29/2011 11:49:04 AM EDT

[#33]

Quoted:One story of many to come, I'm afraid.

Yep. Some sad shit. I have some friends who own a home in the Marina Bay area and they tell me that they're resigned to losing completely now. Ugh.

Posted: 5/29/2011 12:40:37 PM EDT

[#34]

More rain tonight and tommrow too.

Heard 2-3" west river expected. Not sure what's gonna happen here though. I just know I'm pretty tired of rain every other day.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

Posted: 5/29/2011 12:56:23 PM EDT

[#35]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Talking to my friends in Bismarck it's getting freaky there. Some of the stuff they planned on saving in that map I posted above is now going to be abandoned because they're going to up the garrison dam releases to 150,000 cfs.

http://www.nd.gov/des//uploads/resources/722/2011_flood_event_map_5-28-2011_5pm.pdf

They pretty much ain't even giving a elevation for Pierre anymore... Personally i think the 1434' is a dream. I don't think anyone knows where it is gonna be...
At about 15 right now, or 1430 ish from what I understand and I have heard some folks talking that it could hit 21'... But again, no one knows.

I think the La Fromboise Island gauge that is "broken" is actually reading the true level. Base is 1400 feet, so add the reading to 1400 for the height. The "faulty" indicator may just be to keep the people from freaking out. It may not be 100% functional, but it is tracking within an inch of the other gauges. It's in turbulent water right now is all, which will be true for most all of the gauges.

Right now it is showing 1428.45 ft. / River at 28.75 ft.

The flood categories are a bit off as well. The corps built the dams and essentially guaranteed there wouldn't be flooding outside the designated flood plains. Once the flood level was reached, gauges and causeways that were built by the corps were submerged. I think they are using the flood levels from before the dam was built to determine "Major Flood", which would fill up the basin on the Pierre side to the Hospital and all of Sioux Avenue. They latest I heard is that it will be up to the railroad tracks in most areas, with the extra height of the RR tracks holding it from other areas.

This wasn't a fluke, it was purposeful. If the corps would have added the extra 35 kcfs to the flow while New Orleans was in danger, the Mississippi would have gone up maybe 6 inches. Instead, they held back until the crests of the Mississippi flood passed, which was waiting too long. There's now 700 miles of completely full dams to empty below flood stage, and not enough channel to handle that volume. I think that is why the corps is offering to buy out any property flooded, so then it can be called a flood plain or something. We are 5 feet over the 1996 record, and each extra foot of water is going to flood about another 1/2 block inland in Pierre, from looking at the USGS topo map linked in first post.

Posted: 5/29/2011 1:56:10 PM EDT

[#36]

New flood warning with interesting parts in bold.

FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ABERDEEN SD
1239 PM CDT SUN MAY 29 2011

SDC017-021-031-041-065-069-085-107-117-119-129-051730-
/O.NEW.KABR.FA.W.0022.110529T1739Z-110605T1730Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
SULLY SD-POTTER SD-LYMAN SD-HYDE SD-HUGHES SD-DEWEY SD-CORSON SD-
CAMPBELL SD-BUFFALO SD-WALWORTH SD-STANLEY SD-
1239 PM CDT SUN MAY 29 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ABERDEEN HAS ISSUED A

* FLOOD WARNING FOR...
EASTERN CORSON COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL SOUTH DAKOTA...
EASTERN DEWEY COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL SOUTH DAKOTA...
EASTERN LYMAN COUNTY IN CENTRAL SOUTH DAKOTA...
HUGHES COUNTY IN CENTRAL SOUTH DAKOTA...
SOUTHEASTERN STANLEY COUNTY IN CENTRAL SOUTH DAKOTA...
SOUTHWESTERN HYDE COUNTY IN CENTRAL SOUTH DAKOTA...
WESTERN BUFFALO COUNTY IN CENTRAL SOUTH DAKOTA...
WESTERN CAMPBELL COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL SOUTH DAKOTA...
WESTERN POTTER COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL SOUTH DAKOTA...
WESTERN SULLY COUNTY IN CENTRAL SOUTH DAKOTA...
WESTERN WALWORTH COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL SOUTH DAKOTA...

* UNTIL 1230 PM CDT/1130 AM MDT/ SUNDAY JUNE 5TH

* THE MOST RECENT RELEASE SCHEDULE FOR THE GARRISON DAM IN NORTH
DAKOTA IS TO INCREASE RELEASES TO 85 THOUSAND CUBIC FEET PER
SECOND (CFS) ON MONDAY MAY 30TH...THEN UP TO 120 THOUSAND CFS IN
EARLY JUNE...AND UP TO 150 THOUSAND CFS NO LATER THAN MID JUNE.
THE RELEASE SCHEDULE FOR THE OAHE DAM NORTH OF PIERRE WILL BE
MAINTAINED AT 85 THOUSAND CFS THROUGH JUNE 2ND AND THEN QUICKLY
STEPPED UP TO 130 THOUSAND CFS DURING THE FIRST WEEK IN JUNE.
RELEASES ARE THEN SCHEDULED TO PEAK AT 150 THOUSAND CFS NO LATER
THAN MID JUNE. THESE INCREASED RELEASES ARE DUE TO HEAVY RAINFALL
OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS THAT FELL IN EASTERN
MONTANA...WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA AND WESTERN SOUTH DAKOTA...AS WELL
AS CONTINUED SNOWMELT OVER EASTERN MONTANA.

THIS RELEASE SCHEDULE WILL RESULT IN CONTINUED RISES ON THE MISSOURI
RIVER. ALL LOCATIONS ALONG THE RIVER ARE LIKELY TO SEE SOME FLOODING
OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS. IN THE PIERRE AND FT PIERRE
AREAS...SIGNIFICANT FLOODING WILL OCCUR ALONG THE RIVER...WITH THE
FLOODED AREAS EXPECTED TO REMAIN INUNDATED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS.
SEVERAL RECREATION AREAS ALONG THE MISSOURI RIVER FROM THE NORTH
DAKOTA BORDER SOUTH COULD EXPERIENCE FLOODING AS WELL. ADDITIONAL
RAINFALL ACROSS EASTERN MONTANA AND THE WESTERN DAKOTA...ESPECIALLY
ALONG THE MISSOURI RIVER BASIN WOULD LIKELY WORSEN THE SITUATION.

THE STAGE OF THE MISSOURI RIVER AT PIERRE AS OF 1130 AM SUNDAY WAS
15.27 FEET. FLOOD STAGE IS 13 FEET. THE STAGE AT LA FRAMBOISE ISLAND
WAS 28.69 FEET...WHICH IS 2.70 FEET ABOVE THE OLD RECORD STAGE THAT
WAS SET IN 1999. THESE LEVELS WILL CONTINUE TO RISE DUE TO THE
FORECAST DAM RELEASES.

STAY TUNED TO THE LATEST U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS PRESS RELEASES
FOR UPDATED INFORMATION ON THE LONG TERM GARRISON AND OAHE DAM
RELEASE SCHEDULES...AS WELL AS FOR IMPACTS TO CITIES AND TOWNS ALONG
THE MISSOURI RIVER.

Posted: 5/29/2011 2:03:04 PM EDT

[#37]

If you think it's bad.....wait till the 207% snow pack finally starts to melt next week. It hasn't yet. You folks in the lower areas are about to get fucked.

I'm serious about the levels of snow pack. They are nuts right now.

Posted: 5/29/2011 2:13:51 PM EDT

[#38]

I think the corps realizes they miscalculated. They are mentioning 100 year flood and 500 year flood in Pierre and Bismark, and are talking about adding another line of sandbags in Pierre. This has changed quite a bit from the "Minor Flooding Expected" when I started this thread 4 days ago.

One bank of the Oahe Dam Stilling Basin, the spillway outlet, has now had the rip-rap washed away and water is digging away/undercutting the land on that side.

Volunteers are being called to help sandbag Yankton, 200 river miles southeast in the southeast corner of SD. This will now be an issue for Iowa and Nebraska as well very shortly.

Call for Volunteers to help sandbag in Yankton, SD

While awaiting expected event inundation flood maps from the Army Corps of Engineers, the YCOEM is advising the hundreds of residents who live in the 100 year flood plane to take action now to sandbag or otherwise prepare for an increase in the river's level.

....

The YCOEM is seeking volunteers to assist in the effort to fill sandbags. Anyone who can help should report to the County Highway Shop at 6:00 PM today. Additionally, volunteers are asked to report to the same location at 8:00 am Monday.

...

The Army Corps of Engineers plans to incrementally increase releases at Gavin's Point Dam to 150,000 cubic feet of water per second, more than double the historic high release level, likely affecting hundreds of seasonal and permanent homes downstream.

Levee contract needs to be bigger

Higher levees needed to protect property in Pierre
Work had begun on emergency levees to try to protect homes and public property in Pierre and Fort Pierre for rising water levels on the Missouri River, but officials say those earthen levees now will have to built higher to handle larger releases of water from Oahe Dam.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials say they have to release more water than previously expected through the Missouri River dams because of expected heavy rains upstream.

The corps now plans to maintain releases from Oahe Dam at the current level of 85,000 cubic feet a second until Thursday and then step it up to 150,000 by mid-June. That's much higher than previously expected.

Water has already reached some homes. Officials say the water will eventually reach 6 feet above flood stage.

Posted: 5/29/2011 2:52:14 PM EDT

[#39]

Found the maps, between the red lines is the predicted water at 1434 ft, COE is suggesting bagging to 1436ft.

http://www.disasterrecovery.sd.gov/maps/EFtPierre150_93.pdf
http://www.disasterrecovery.sd.gov/maps/SWFtPierre150_93.pdf
http://www.disasterrecovery.sd.gov/maps/NWFtPierre150_93.pdf
http://www.disasterrecovery.sd.gov/maps/WFtPierre150_93.pdf

Posted: 5/29/2011 2:56:15 PM EDT

[#40]

Damn!!!!

Posted: 5/29/2011 3:07:13 PM EDT

[#41]

Not that it is on the same river system......

But will Lake Mead have a chance of refilling this year?

Posted: 5/29/2011 3:11:47 PM EDT

[#42]

Quoted:
Not that it is on the same river system......

But will Lake Mead have a chance of refilling this year?

Not even the same side of the Continental Divide.

Magic 8 Ball says "Yes", there was a ton of snow this winter nationwide. Not sure about "full", but Lake Oahe was "Low" last year, I think I liked it better that way.

Posted: 5/29/2011 3:17:27 PM EDT

[#43]

Wait, so rain is still capable of falling from the sky?

Posted: 5/29/2011 3:25:43 PM EDT

[#44]

It is still raining here although lightly, I am sure that the higher elevations and the rocky mountain front are getting more.

Posted: 5/29/2011 3:39:36 PM EDT

[#45]

Quoted:
It is still raining here although lightly, I am sure that the higher elevations and the rocky mountain front are getting more.

Supposed to get another foot of snow tonight in the mountains. That and the rediculous amounts of rain you guys have gotten over the last week is going to be a bitch for those down stream.

Posted: 5/29/2011 3:50:59 PM EDT

[#46]

Quoted:
Wait, so rain is still capable of falling from the sky?

Yeah, remember all that wonderful mud at Gunstock? It's like that, only more of it.

Posted: 5/29/2011 4:32:01 PM EDT

[#47]

Video from a week ago when they were first opening the spillway, followed by a video from today.
Haven't found a good video of the Pierre area 2 miles south yet.

Here is the Stilling basin on 5/29, gates aren't fully opened yet.

Here is a pre-flood video to get a feel of the layout. At 3:27, the Emergency Flood Gates/Spillway are shown. The water is currently near the top edge of these gates, but they aren't opened at this time.
At 4:25, there is a shot of the spillway in use, the crane they drive by is what opens and closes the spillway gates under the earth dam.

Posted: 5/29/2011 6:30:03 PM EDT

[#48]

Updated schedule for Oahe Dam release rates.

The water release level will stay steady at 85,000 cubic feet until Thursday, June 2nd.
June 3 - 100,000 cfs
June 4 - 110,000 cfs
June 5 - 130,000 cfs
June 10 - 140,000 cfs
June 15 - 150,000 cfs (max possible)

Posted: 5/29/2011 7:34:11 PM EDT

[#49]

Garrison Dam spillway:

Snapped with a shitty cell phone Saturday afternoon:

the tailrace:

Posted: 5/30/2011 11:43:36 AM EDT

[#50]

Corps updated to 1436 ft for levees and bagging, 2,500 homes in danger (up from 2,000).

Big storms moving across area yesterday and today changed plans I guess.

They aren't releasing much more information than "prepare for the worse" and "if you are anywhere in the area that may be flooded, take action, do not depend on the levee to hold".

Sounds like they don't have a clue what is happening, or they do, and don't want everybody to panic.

How it looked on Friday: