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4/22/2025
WT Staff
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Thursday, May 1, 2025 250 pm CDT
Torrential rains exacerbate river flooding in Louisiana
USGS realtime streamflow gauges show the Mississippi River settling back down in the channel at Vicksburg after two weeks of flooding, yet the recorded flow volume remains high, 1,580,000 cubic feet per second. USGS streamflow gauges placed in the river showed the flood stage breached April 14, the river continued a slow rise for a full week, cresting at five feet above the channel on April 22. According to the gauge at Vicksburg, the floodwaters have been receding over the last week, yet the flow volume remains elevated as it was at peak flood.
WaterToday connected with Aub Ward, Assistant Director Data Chief - Louisiana for the US Geological Survey, for an update on the work done to monitor river flows. According to Ward,
Providing accurate up-to-date water data and predictions in the lower Mississippi River basin is truly a collaborative effort across agencies and Departments. The US Geological Survey (Department of the Interior) along with our federal partners with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Department of Defense), the National Weather Service's Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center (Department of Commerce), and others continues to deliver real-time Mississippi River stage, flow, and water quality data to the nation.
The Office of Water Prediction displays National Weather Service predictions for the timing and magnitude of the flood peak, various hydrological statistics, historical perspective from past flood events, and local impacts expected at various stages, all important facets of our reporting.
Ole Man River ran close to five feet above the channel at Vicksburg on Tuesday, April 22. One and a half million cubic feet per second near the peak flow. Flood stage was breached at Vicksburg MS early in the morning of April 14.
Peak flow was initially forecast 47.5 ft by April 20. The forecast was adjusted, as the water got higher up, close to 48 ft registering on April 22, the eighth day of flooding. Louisiana has since had torrential rains that have sent more water bodies overflowing, including Sabine River, flooding near Ruliff, Texas. See the front page map for the details.
The Safe Drinking Water Act protects public health through the administration and delivery of quality drinking water supplies across the USA. The US EPA establishes standards for drinking water, monitors and enforces treatment techniques for surface water and groundwater, sets maximum limits for around 100 contaminants ensuring public disclosure of deviations and discrepancies.
WaterToday opens the record books of the federal drinking water regulator to bring awareness to the local raw water supply and the compliance record of licensed water treatment facilities. The Louisiana Dept of Health inspects 1,263 licensed and active public drinking water facilities, reporting the results to the EPA. Check back here for drinking water news and alerts as they arise in LA.
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