OMAHA, Neb. -- After several days of heavy rain across the lower Missouri River basin, the amount of water released into the river is being reduced to help minimize flooding.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it began reducing the amount of water flowing into the river on Sunday because of concerns about flooding downstream.

Last week, 24,000 cubic feet of water per day was being released from the Gavins Point dam on the South Dakota-Nebraska border. By Wednesday morning, half as much water will be released.

The corps also is reducing the amount of water released from Fort Randall dam in South Dakota.

The corps' Jody Farhat said the reductions should alleviate some downstream flooding along the Missouri River.