Wappapello Lake may crest short of predictions, still high for January

Wappapello Lake was just short of a predicted crest early Saturday evening above normal recreation pool.

Lake levels have increased a little over six feet since Jan. 22, according to gages monitored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Corps personnel reported late last week the lake was expected to top out at 364.6 feet Saturday following rain and snow melt in the area.

As of 3:30 p.m. Saturday, the lake level had reached 362.20 feet and begun to drop slightly.

Normal recreation pool is 359.74 feet.

Discharge was increased to 5,000 cubic feet per second by Thursday, or about 37,000 gallons per second, because of the rise. Discharge could increase to 6,000 cfs, according to the Corps, which advised residents to avoid flooded creek bottoms and areas prone to flash flooding.