Mississippi Drive, flood gates to close this week

MUSCATINE, Iowa - City officials are continuing to monitor the Mississippi River forecast while beginning the process of implementing the City's flood plan. The Mississippi River crossed into the moderate flood stage Monday (July 1) and is now at 18.31 feet according to the latest observed values at 3:15 p.m. Monday. At the present time the river is forecasted to reach major flood stage Thursday at 20.0 feet and climb to 21.5 feet by Sunday night.

Flood preparations are subject to change based on the river forecast. Crests have not been predicted as yet by the National Weather Service and river levels may continue to change over the next week due to anticipated heavy rains in the Upper Basin over the next several days.

As the river reached moderate flood stage, the Department of Public Works (DPW) and Parks and Recreation (PRD) staff blocked off sections of Riverside Park that are already being affected by flood waters. The barricades will be moved as the river continues to rise closing down more of the Riverside Park area.

DPW staff spent most of Monday setting out signage in preparation for the downtown detour for the Fourth of July celebration and for the subsequent flood detour. DPW anticipates closing Flood Gate #1 (at the eastern end of Mississippi Drive) Tuesday, depending on Heinz rail traffic and HNI truck traffic needs. Also on Tuesday, River Road will be closed from Canon to Sherman as the river is forecasted to climb above 18.6 feet. Access to Spillway Lane and to the Running River Trail system in this area will also be affected.

Map shows available parking and locations of Fourth of July Celebration (Submitted Map)

A hard close of Mississippi Drive for the Fourth of July celebration will begin Wednesday morning from Chestnut Street to the roundabout on Mulberry Avenue. Northbound traffic will be diverted off of Grandview/Hershey to Main Street, then to 8th Street, Cypress Street, Washington Street, and finally to Park Avenue. Southbound traffic will be detoured at the roundabout on 2nd Street to Mulberry, and directed to 5th Street (for Downtown Muscatine traffic) or to 8th Street (all other traffic), to Main Street, and to Grandview/Hershey intersection.

The Fourth of July events previously scheduled for Riverside Park will now be held on the closed section of Mississippi Drive. Spectators can set up to view the firework display on the closed streets with free parking throughout the downtown district. Spectators are cautioned that there may be some water near the catch basins on Mississippi Drive at Walnut Street, so please be careful and stay away from flood waters.

Access to Riverside Park will be closed at both the Cedar Street and Iowa Avenue entrances Wednesday as the river is forecasted to rise to 19.5 feet. The Running River Trail through the park will also be closed to the public.

The current forecast indicates that the river will reach major flood stage (20-feet) Thursday evening with a current projection that the river will level out at 21.5 feet Sunday. However, additional heavy rain is in the forecast this week for the upper Mississippi River watershed, and that has the potential to raise the forecasted river levels and delay the crests.

The City currently anticipates closing Flood Gate #2 (2nd Street at Mad Creek) on Friday and altering the detour route established for the Fourth of July celebration in Downtown Muscatine. A hard close of Mississippi Drive will be executed from Iowa Avenue on the west to the roundabout on Mulberry Avenue on the east. The closure would include 2nd Street from Oak Street to Iowa Highway 92 once Flood Gate #2 is closed.

The flood detour will then be implemented.

Northbound traffic on Mississippi Drive will be diverted at Iowa, to 5th or 8th streets, to Cypress Street, to Washington Street, and to Park Avenue. Traffic for Mississippi Drive or Downtown Muscatine from Illinois (Highway 92) will be diverted to Park Avenue, to 5th Street, to Iowa Avenue, and to Mississippi Drive. Truck traffic may be diverted to 8th Street to Main Street and then to Grandview/Hershey.

Park Avenue traffic for Downtown Muscatine or Mississippi Drive will be diverted at 8th Street, to Main Street, and to Grandview/Hershey, or vehicles other than trucks can take 5th Street from Park Avenue to Iowa Avenue.

Depending on the river forecast the City may put the muscle wall flood barrier in place on Mississippi Drive between Cedar and Iowa early next week.

Flood preparations are subject to change based on the river forecast. Residents are urged to be alert to changing conditions especially if they live in low lying areas or along the riverfront.

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