Mississippi River continues fall; Themis flood gate opened

The two downtown flood gates at Broadway and Themis Street are open after months of high water.

The Cape Girardeau Public Works Department on Monday opened the Themis Street gate and the Broadway gate last week.

The Mississippi River is falling steadily, according to the National Weather Service in Paducah, Ky. Hydrologist Mary Lamm said the river is expected to fall below the 32-foot flood stage on the Cape Girardeau gauge by Wednesday. The Broadway gate is closed at about 37.5 feet, and the Themis gate is closed at about 35 feet.

Lamm said the river has been above flood stage since about April 20. Stacey Beasley, stormwater supervisor with Cape Girardeau Public Works, said the water crested at 42.5 feet in late April.

A moderate flood stage is 37 feet, and a major stage is 42 feet.

From left, Darin Werner, Josh James, Jeff Golden, Stacey Beasly and Chuck Hebrosk with the Cape Girardeau Public Works department sewer maintenance division open the Themis Street flood gate Monday morning, May 20, 2013. The flood gates were closed April 19 as the Mississippi River rose to flood stage. (Laura Simon)

Terry Birk, Cape Girardeau County director for the USDA Farm Service Agency, said the river will keep many farmers in the area from harvesting certain crops this season. There may not be enough time left to plant corn, but farmers still can plant soybean crops. Growers will be able to venture out in the next week to 10 days to plant once water drains from fields.

Growing conditions are ideal now with weather for the most part cooperating despite this year's floodwaters, Birk said. Odd weather patterns make it difficult to pinpoint how a normal year would look, but Birk said this season still has potential.

Some farmers will be put out, because they depend on the corn for feed, he said.

"It could be a lot worse, because the opportunity to raise bean crops is still there," Birk said.

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Pertinent address:

Themis Street and Water Street, Cape Girardeau, Mo.