February 12, 2020
No change in the National Weather Service (NWS) Mississippi River Forecast since it’s bump up yesterday.
However, the forecasted crest for the Backwater has been raised to between 93’-94’.
The Steele Bayou Structure Gates are open.
The Yazoo Backwater is currently at 92.4’ which has 350,000 acres underwater in the MS South Delta.
The Yazoo Backwater is predicted to crest between 93’ and 94’. At 93.5’ there will be which will flood 387,000 total acres including 129,000 acres of cropland.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Flood Current Predicted
Gage Stage Stage Crest & Date
Cairo (Ohio Rv) 40’ 47.4’ 51.0’ on 2/18/20
Memphis 34’ 27.8’ 34.5’ on 2/22/20
Helena 44’ 35.9’ 42.5’ on 2/24/20
Arkansas City 37’ 33.2’ 38.5’ on 2/25/20
Greenville 48’ 44.9’ 49.5’ on 2/26/20
Vicksburg 43’ 42.7’ 46.0’ on 2/27/20
Natchez 48’ 50.7’ 53.5’ on 2/29/20
RIVER FORECAST NEXT 28 DAYS
The NWS has unofficially looked at the 16-day rainfall forecast and it could add 2’ to 3.5’ more to the current official crests:
Arkansas City could crest near 42’ in 21 days.
Greenville could crest near 53’ in 21 days.
Vicksburg could crest near 48’ in 24 days.
BACKWATER
The Backwater (landside) is at 92.38’ and the riverside is at 91.07’.
The Steele Bayou Structure Gates are open. They have been open since February 2nd.
The Yazoo Backwater is currently at 92.4’ which has 350,000 acres underwater in the MS South Delta.
The Yazoo Backwater is predicted to crest between 93’ and 94’. At 93.5’ there will be which will flood 387,000 total acres including 129,000 acres of cropland.
YAZOO BACKWATER PUMPS
If we had the Yazoo Backwater Pumps in place – instead of cresting at 93.3’ back on February 2nd – the Pumps would have lowered the crest by 5.3’ down to 88’.
Instead of 380,000 acres flooded – the Pumps would have prevented 154,000 acres from flooding lowering the total land flooded to 226,000 acres.
Attached you will find a 10-day MS River Forecast.
Peter Nimrod
Chief Engineer
MS Levee Board
(662)334-4813