Chesterfield officials monitor river stages
Chesterfield officials are aware of and continue to monitor Missouri River conditions. The city is in the Valley Watch phase, which simply refers to a heightened awareness and commitment of the city staff to monitor conditions. Should river conditions continue to rise, the city would initiate a River Advisory Phase, at which time the city would post regular notices and provide updates on the city's Web site.
The observed gauge reading in Herman, Mo. this morning was 23.4 feet, with a projected crest on Sunday of 28.4.
This morning, the gauge in St. Charles read 25.89, and a crest is predicted on Thursday of 29.3. While the St. Charles gauge is projected to crest on Thursday, a short dip in the river is expected, followed by a slightly higher crest later in the week.
For recent comparison purposes, on May 18, The Missouri River crested at 28.7 and 29.97 in Hermann and St. Charles respectively. So at this juncture, it appears as if the projected crests are expected to be similar to the river levels experienced in May of this year. In May, water barely reached the base of the levee on the west end upstream of the Daniel Boone Bridge, and the Agricultural Levee on the north side of Highway 40 was not challenged.
In the event the National Weather Service (NWS) projects a river surface level equal to or exceeding 28 feet in Hermann, a Valley Watch is initiated and the following actions are taken.
1. Valley Watch
a. During this phase, officials of the city of Chesterfield become aware of the possibility that the Missouri River may approach levels that would cause the implementation of the plan. Information about rainfall or snow cover melt within the Missouri River drainage basin will be considered.
b. The Director of Public Works monitors river stages and discharge forecast information released by the NWS and advises the mayor, the chief of police, members of the Monarch-Chesterfield Levee District, and the St. Louis County Office of Emergency Management of river conditions.
c. The chief of police reviews the text of a prepared valley advisory announcement and makes appropriate modifications, if necessary, and prepares contact lists for facsimile and manual distribution.
d. The city administrator prepares accommodations for the installation of an adequate number of telephone lines, equipment and personnel if a valley information hotline was to be activated.
e. The Monarch-Chesterfield Levee District reviews its relations and contacts with the contracted engineering firm.
f. The city of Chesterfield Department of Public Works makes visual inspections of the gate valve at Highway 40/61 to assess conditions.
g. If the river rose to 29 feet at the Hermann gauge, the city of Wildwood Department of Public Works will make visual inspections and determine if the gate valve, located at the Monarch-Chesterfield Levee at Centaur Road should be closed.
2. Valley Advisory
a. River surface levels have reached or are protected to exceed 34 feet in Hermann, or the water level at the Howell Island access road is within five feet of the top of the Monarch Levee. Official statements regarding potential flooding conditions are delivered during this phase.
b. The Mayor issues a "valley advisory" statement to residents and business owners in the Valley. The advisory will be delivered from City Hall by means of a broadcast facsimile to those online. Residents not capable of receiving the facsimile broadcast will have a written advisory announcement delivered by a member of the police department. The advisory will remain in effect until it is upgraded to a warning or canceled by official declaration.
c. A Valley Watch information hotline is prepared at City Hall. Equipment will be installed and the hours of operation and staffing assignments will be determined and verified.
d. Personnel are selected to function as public information officers, (individuals authorized to collect information, prepare and deliver official statements to the news media.)
e. The St. Louis County Office of Emergency Management prepares the emergency operations center at 14847 Olive Blvd. to accommodate Chesterfield city officials.
f. The police chief reproduces an adequate number of written advisory statements and delivers to individual residents that cannot receive the advisory by facsimile transmission. Additionally, a supply of the advisory sheets will be posted and stacked at business locations, which have walk-in clientele.
g. The Director of Public Works contacts the corps of engineers to begin a constant monitoring of river stages, discharge rates from Bagnel Dam, flow rates and projected crest dates.
h. The Director of Public Works, along with a member of Monarch-Chesterfield Levee District, begin visual monitoring of levee system structures to include the levee and all closure instruments.
i. The Director of Public Works evaluates inventory of city-owned, non-expendable equipment, such as pumps, generators, boats and motors. Contact is made with surrounding jurisdictions, as well as with the Corps of Engineers, Kansas City district, to determine the availability of like equipment and/or other necessary supplies.
j. Should the river rise to 34 feet at the Hermann gauge, the St. Louis County Department of Highways and Traffic will conduct visual inspections and determine if the floodgate, located on the St. Louis Southwestern Railroad at Centaur Road, should be closed.
k. The Valley advisory statement will remain in effect until the river surface level drops to 35 feet at St. Charles with projected forecasts indicating falling river levels.
l. On an "as needed basis," the director of public works activates any mutual aid agreements established to assist in the procurement of equipment and supplies necessary to maintain pumping operations to remove river water seepage or rainwater pooling from within the Valley.
