SPRING RAINS BRING SOME ANXIOUS DAYS AS THE RIVER RISES

As the first flood gate closed Wednesday to keep rising water from the Mississippi River out of downtown Cape Girardeau, memories of the devastating 1993 flood were freshened.

Downriver a few miles on the Illinois side of the river, all eyes were on the new levee at Miller City, which broke again last spring. The new levee is expected to hold back the surging water, but folks who have lived along the river for awhile know there are no certainties when dealing with Mississippi floods.

Meanwhile, Ste. Genevieve residents were watching the river with some good news for the future: The final hurdle has been passed for the construction of a $48.7 million flood control project. Of course, the protection won't be there this year, but by 1999 property owners in the historic town shouldn't have to worry so much about filling sandbags and fortifying man-made levees.

The fury of rivers and the ability of storms to wreak havoc is all around. To the south, heavy rains have much of southern Louisiana under water. To the west, wind storms have taken their toll in human lives. To the north, tornadoes are doing their springtime dance as cold air from the north tangos with warm, moist air from the south.

Wet weather is having an impact even where flooding is less of a concern. Soaked fields are delaying spring planting. Some construction projects are on hold due to the rain. And lawns lush from the abundant moisture are growing faster than lawnmowers can keep them tidy.

For now, the Mississippi River is expected to crest well within levels that can be controlled to prevent major flooding. But the weather pattern for the next few weeks will be critical. In 1993, for example, it was heavy rainfall in late spring and early summer, considerably later than most years, that inundated the northern plains and sent runoff rushing toward the Gulf of Mexico.

Those who live in flood-prone ares of the nation's midsection are experiencing the annual ritual of river-watching jitters. Where flood protection already exists there is less worry. In unprotected areas, however, the concern will last until summer's heat dries up the skies, returning the creeks and rivers that feed the Mississippi to their banks.