Before we entered this active pattern, early last week we started talking about rising river levels. Now, we’re getting a glimpse at how high the river levels could go. While the Wapsipinicon River has been above flood stage since late last week, other rivers in our region continue to rise.
Of note this morning is the rapid rise on the Rock River near Sterling/Rock Falls. The river there has risen several feet in the past 12 hours. This water will work downstream in the next day or two, affecting Colona and Moline. At Moline, the river is forecast to rise to within two feet of an all-time high. For residents along Shore Drive, look at that high-water mark. Now mark two feet below that line. But there’s no guarantees that it will stop there. There is more rain in the forecast. If we get additional rainfall in the 2-4 inch range before Friday, we could see these river levels rise further.
At Rock Falls, the Rock River will crest later today. At Moline, the Rock will not crest until Thursday morning.
Once the Rock River flows into the Mississippi, the water will disperse as the Rock is about a tenth of the discharge as the Mississippi.
Here’s a look at the impacts of this sort of flood at Moline:
| 14 | Water affects South Shore Drive and North Shore Drive in Moline west of the 27th Street bridge. Water limits access to homes on South Shore Drive east of the I-74 bridge. Water also affects portions of 60th Street south of John Deere Road. |
| 13.8 | Water affects 49th Avenue in Moline. |
| 13.5 | Water affects 60th Street south of John Deere Road in Moline and Green Valley Park. Water is also on Canal Road on Big Island. |
| 13 | Water affects homes on South Shore Drive in Moline and cuts off access to homes east of the I-74 bridge. Water affects Vandruffs Island in Rock Island and 7th Street in Coal Valley. |
| 12.5 | Water affects residences in the Friendship Farm area. |
