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Weather Forecast Office St. Louis, MO North Central River Forecast Center
Flood Warning
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Hydrograph River at a Glance Download Weekly Chance of
Exceeding Levels		 Chance of Exceeding Levels
During Entire Period
Mississippi River at Canton Lock and Dam 20 Tailwater (ft)Flow (kcfs)Highest Observation: 16.85 ft at 12:00AM Jun 14, 2013Observed: 16.78 ft at 2:00AM Jun 14, 2013Observed: 16.68 ft at 4:00AM Jun 14, 2013Observed: 16.64 ft at 6:00AM Jun 14, 2013Observed: 16.68 ft at 8:00AM Jun 14, 2013Observed: 16.66 ft at 10:00AM Jun 14, 2013Observed: 16.6 ft at 12:00PM Jun 14, 2013Observed: 16.55 ft at 2:00PM Jun 14, 2013Observed: 16.53 ft at 4:00PM Jun 14, 2013Observed: 16.49 ft at 6:00PM Jun 14, 2013Observed: 16.44 ft at 8:00PM Jun 14, 2013Observed: 16.39 ft at 10:00PM Jun 14, 2013Observed: 16.33 ft at 12:00AM Jun 15, 2013Observed: 16.3 ft at 2:00AM Jun 15, 2013Observed: 16.21 ft at 4:00AM Jun 15, 2013Observed: 16.22 ft at 6:00AM Jun 15, 2013Observed: 16.17 ft at 8:00AM Jun 15, 2013Observed: 16.14 ft at 10:00AM Jun 15, 2013Observed: 16.11 ft at 12:00PM Jun 15, 2013Observed: 16.08 ft at 2:00PM Jun 15, 2013Observed: 16.05 ft at 4:00PM Jun 15, 2013Observed: 16 ft at 6:00PM Jun 15, 2013Observed: 16.04 ft at 8:00PM Jun 15, 2013Observed: 16.07 ft at 10:00PM Jun 15, 2013Observed: 16.04 ft at 12:00AM Jun 16, 2013Observed: 15.96 ft at 2:00AM Jun 16, 2013Observed: 15.93 ft at 4:00AM Jun 16, 2013Observed: 15.9 ft at 6:00AM Jun 16, 2013Observed: 15.88 ft at 8:00AM Jun 16, 2013Observed: 15.9 ft at 10:00AM Jun 16, 2013Observed: 15.88 ft at 12:00PM Jun 16, 2013Observed: 15.89 ft at 2:00PM Jun 16, 2013Observed: 15.86 ft at 4:00PM Jun 16, 2013Observed: 15.83 ft at 6:00PM Jun 16, 2013Observed: 15.81 ft at 8:00PM Jun 16, 2013Observed: 15.78 ft at 10:00PM Jun 16, 2013Observed: 15.79 ft at 12:00AM Jun 17, 2013Observed: 15.74 ft at 2:00AM Jun 17, 2013Observed: 15.69 ft at 4:00AM Jun 17, 2013Observed: 15.62 ft at 6:00AM Jun 17, 2013Observed: 15.55 ft at 8:00AM Jun 17, 2013Observed: 15.52 ft at 10:00AM Jun 17, 2013Observed: 15.47 ft at 12:00PM Jun 17, 2013Observed: 15.45 ft at 2:00PM Jun 17, 2013Observed: 15.41 ft at 4:00PM Jun 17, 2013Observed: 15.39 ft at 6:00PM Jun 17, 2013Observed: 15.37 ft at 8:00PM Jun 17, 2013Observed: 15.31 ft at 10:00PM Jun 17, 2013Observed: 15.32 ft at 12:00AM Jun 18, 2013Observed: 15.17 ft at 2:00AM Jun 18, 2013Observed: 15.11 ft at 4:00AM Jun 18, 2013Observed: 15.04 ft at 6:00AM Jun 18, 2013Observed: 15.03 ft at 8:00AM Jun 18, 2013Observed: 15 ft at 10:00AM Jun 18, 2013Observed: 15.02 ft at 12:00PM Jun 18, 2013Observed: 15.04 ft at 2:00PM Jun 18, 2013Observed: 14.98 ft at 4:00PM Jun 18, 2013Observed: 14.97 ft at 6:00PM Jun 18, 2013Observed: 14.95 ft at 8:00PM Jun 18, 2013Observed: 14.93 ft at 10:00PM Jun 18, 2013Highest Forecast: 15 ft 1:00AM Jun 19, 2013Forecast: 14.9 ft 7:00AM Jun 19, 2013Forecast: 14.8 ft 1:00PM Jun 19, 2013Forecast: 14.7 ft 7:00PM Jun 19, 2013Forecast: 14.7 ft 1:00AM Jun 20, 2013Forecast: 14.6 ft 7:00AM Jun 20, 2013Forecast: 14.5 ft 1:00PM Jun 20, 2013Forecast: 14.4 ft 7:00PM Jun 20, 2013Forecast: 14.4 ft 1:00AM Jun 21, 2013Forecast: 14.3 ft 7:00AM Jun 21, 2013Forecast: 14.3 ft 1:00PM Jun 21, 2013Forecast: 14.2 ft 7:00PM Jun 21, 2013Forecast: 14.2 ft 1:00AM Jun 22, 2013Forecast: 14.2 ft 7:00AM Jun 22, 2013Forecast: 14.1 ft 1:00PM Jun 22, 2013Forecast: 14.1 ft 7:00PM Jun 22, 2013Forecast: 14 ft 1:00AM Jun 23, 2013Forecast: 14 ft 7:00AM Jun 23, 2013Forecast: 13.9 ft 1:00PM Jun 23, 2013Forecast: 13.9 ft 7:00PM Jun 23, 2013Forecast: 13.8 ft 1:00AM Jun 24, 2013Forecast: 13.8 ft 7:00AM Jun 24, 2013Forecast: 13.8 ft 1:00PM Jun 24, 2013Forecast: 13.7 ft 7:00PM Jun 24, 2013Forecast: 13.6 ft 1:00AM Jun 25, 2013Forecast: 13.4 ft 7:00AM Jun 25, 2013Forecast: 13.3 ft 1:00PM Jun 25, 2013Forecast: 13.1 ft 7:00PM Jun 25, 2013CANM7(plotting HTIRZ) Graph Created (10:45PM Jun 18, 2013)ObservedForecast (issued 8:28PM Jun 18)Latest observed value: 14.93 ft at 10:00 PM CDT 18-Jun-2013. Flood Stage is 14 ft
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Metadata
NOTE: River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 24 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.

NOTE: Forecasts for the Mississippi River at Canton Lock and Dam 20 are issued routinely year-round.

Return to Area Map
Upstream Gauge - at Gregory Landing Upstream Gauge Downstream Gauge Downstream Gauge - at Quincy
Flood Categories (in feet)
Major Flood Stage:25
Moderate Flood Stage:20
Flood Stage:14
Action Stage:12

Historical Crests
(1) 27.88 ft on 07/09/1993
(2) 27.73 ft on 06/18/2008
(3) 24.50 ft on 04/24/1973
(4) 23.20 ft on 05/15/2001
(5) 23.19 ft on 04/21/2013
(6) 21.42 ft on 05/01/1965
(7) 20.92 ft on 10/04/1986
(8) 20.82 ft on 04/03/1960
(9) 20.48 ft on 06/01/2013
(10) 20.19 ft on 02/26/2007
Show More Historical Crests

Low Water Records
(1) -4.00 ft on 12/26/1933
(2) -3.80 ft on 01/02/1934
(3) -3.60 ft on 12/14/1936
(4) -2.90 ft on 12/13/1937
(5) -2.80 ft on 01/17/1938
Show More Low Water Records
Legend
Gauge Location
Disclaimer
Latitude/Longitude Disclaimer: The gauge location shown in the above map is the approximate location based on the latitude/longitude coordinates provided to the NWS by the gauge owner.
Flood Impacts & Photos Collapse
110000 At this approximate discharge, the Corps will raise the gates out of the water, creating "open river" conditions.
27.88 This is the RECORD FLOOD LEVEL that was reached on July 9 1993.
27 Water reaches the top of the lower gates.
26 The Lock and Dam 20 Control Center begins flooding at this height.
25.7 The Illinois levee protecting Meyer, IL is overtopped. The town of Meyer begins flooding.
24.5 Lock and Dam 20 maintenance buildings begin flooding.
23.5 South of LaGrange, State Route B is closed near this level, making Route C the only way to get in and out of town.
20 Flood waters reach the top of the upper gates.
19.5 In La Grange, parts of Highway 61/Highway B begin to flood.
19.39 Water reaches the top of the lock wall, flooding the lock chamber.
19.3 Drainage District begins to fill up.
18.7 In La Grange, 2nd Street floods between Green St. and Lewis St.
18.6 In La Grange, Green Street floods.
18.2 In La Grange, MO, Bunge Car Park begins to flood.
18 Near this level, the lock is closed to navigation. This level will vary with circumstance. Also, Main Street leading to the lock and dam and the railroad crossing at Henderson Street flood at this height.
17.6 In La Grange, MO, the entrance to Mark Twain Casino parking lot begins to flood. Alternate entrance is used. Also, water reaches the base of area levees.
17.5 State Highway B, or Business U.S. Highway 61, is closed north of Canton at the flood gate near this level.
16.8 Burlington Northern/Sante Fe railroad tracks are overtopped.
16.6 Front Street leading to the campground and RV park floods at this height.
14 Both banks begin to overflow. Minor damages begin.
9 Above 8.7 to 9.2 feet, the Corps will raise the gates out of the water, allowing for "open river" conditions. This corresponds to a discharge of approximately 110,000 cfs.
8.5 The Corps will not allow the pool level to drop below 8.5 feet (higher flows below 100K). At low flows, they allow a 2-foot variation between 11.0 and 13.0 feet. At higher flows below 100K, the range is actually lower, between 8.5 and 10.5 feet. Above 110K cfs, the gates are raised above the water surface, allowing open river conditions.
Photos
(1) Canton riverfront with a stage of 23.05 on 19 June 2008.
(2) Canton riverfront on 19 June 2008 with a stage of 23.05 ft.
(3) Looking NE at the Canton Lock and Dam 20 on 19 June 2008. HT=23.05 feet.
(4) Flooded farm near Meyer, IL on 19 June 2008 with a stage of 23 feet.
(5) Levee break on the Illinois side across from Canton, MO on 19 June 2008. Stage was 23 feet.
(6) Knox Street in LaGrange with 2nd Street in the distance near flood at 18.2 feet on June 25, 2010.
(7) Flooded parking at Bunge near BNSF tracks in LaGrange on June 25, 2010 with a stage of 18.2 feet.
(8) Henderson Street leading to the lock and dam at the railroad crossing on June 25, 2010 at 18.15 feet
(9) East parking lot at Terrible's Casino in LaGrange on June 25, 2010 with a stage of 18.2 feet.
(10) West parking lot at Terrible's Casino in LaGrange at a stage of 18.2 feet on June 25, 2010
(11) BNSF railroad tracks looking north toward the lock and dam on June 25, 2010 at 18.15 feet.
(12) Mississippi RV Park outlets at Canton on June 25, 2010 at a stage of 18.15 feet.
(13) Front Street leading to campground hookups on June 25, 2010 at a stage of 18.15 feet.
(14) Aerial View
(15) Upstream View
(16) Downstream View
(17) Pool View (US from Dam)
(18) Tailwater Overview
(19) Tailwater View
About This Location Collapse

Latitude: 40.140833° N, Longitude: 91.515278° W, Horizontal Datum: NAD83/WGS84

River Stage
Reference Frame		 Gauge Height Flood Stage Uses
NWS stage 0 ft 14 ft Interpreting hydrographs and NWS watch, warnings, and forecasts, and inundation maps
Vertical Datum Elevation
(gauge height = 0)		 Elevation
(gauge height = flood stage)		 Elevation information source
NAVD88 Not Available Not Available Survey grade GPS equipment, FEMA flood plain maps, newer USGS topographic maps
NGVD 29 Not Available Not Available Older USGS topographic maps, NGVD29 benchmarks
MSL Not Available Not Available Older USGS topographic maps, MSL benchmarks
Other 468.5 ft 482.5 ft Datum of 1912

Other Data Sources:
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The National Weather Service prepares its forecasts and other services in collaboration with agencies like the US Geological Survey, US Bureau of Reclamation, US Army Corps of Engineers, Natural Resource Conservation Service, National Park Service, ALERT Users Group, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and many state and local emergency managers across the country. For details, please click here.
NWS Information
National Weather Service
St. Louis Weather Forecast Office
12 Missouri Research Park Drive
St. Charles, MO 63304
(636) 441-8467
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