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Water navigation becomes greater concern

During the November Missouri Drought Assessment Committee meeting, National Weather Service Senior Service Hydrologist Mark Fuchs said the recent rains continue to improve Missouri’s drought situation, but dry and cool will be the trend as November continues.

“The Climate Prediction Center outlook has a likelihood of below normal precipitation. We may get some moisture in the six to 10 day outlook, but we expect it to be below normal in the state.”

Even though recent rains have helped drought conditions, more moisture is needed in the north to boost Mississippi River levels. Joan Stemler the Chief of Water Control Operations in St. Louis with the Army Corps of Engineers said river levels will become more dire as the Missouri River declines.

“We’re doing what we can. As soon as it gets cold and we get ice, we may struggle a bit this year.”

Stemler said the Mississippi River broke 10 daily low records in October.