Spring along the Mississippi is usually marked by Springtime flooding.  Although major floods are usually few and far between, it’s not uncommon to see mild flooding almost every Spring as snow melts up river and all of the tributaries emptying into the Mississippi become full.

This is the time of year to keep your eye on the River and Reservoir Reports provided by the Corps of Engineers.  Over time you learn to extrapolate anticipated river levels between major points of measurement in order to determine when flooding will occur.

Materials and equipment are hurriedly moved to higher ground and everything left on the ground is tied down.  Many sheds, greenhouses, etc., are built on floating foundations to allow them to rise and fall with the river.

After times of normal flooding, the biggest challenge is cleaning up the mud and debris left behind by the falling water.  When finished, roads are re-rocked, yards are re-seeded, and life goes on as if nothing has happened.