The rain could flood rivers, lakes and soil

SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO) — With continued high amounts of rain in the forecast, water bodies in the region continue to rise. The more recent rains are falling on rivers and lakes that have already seen a rise due to rainfall in recent months.

“It’s really a combination of both,” said Andrew Kalin, NWS service hydrologist. “The initial rains that we started about a month or two ago have helped alleviate the drought conditions we have been experiencing. Recent rainfall has pushed us more either near or above normal to those water levels, both in rivers, lakes and groundwater.”

Given the large amounts of rain, Kalin says the soil is now approaching saturation point.

“The soils are pretty wet right now,” Kalin said. “They can handle some water, but probably not as much as we expect in terms of rainfall over the next 48 hours.”

Rivers, according to Kalin, are also nearing that point, with May flowing at or above normal starting Thursday.

“Some of our concerns the last couple of months have been in northwest Iowa over the Little Sioux and Ocheyedan ​​rivers,” Kalin said. “The rivers there have been at or above flood stage for some time.”

However, rain projected for the next 48 hours could expand the areas of concern.

“With rainfall coming both tonight and Friday night, this is expected to be a more widespread event and will likely result in a response over many rivers anywhere from the James and Vermillion Rivers through the Grand River Sioux, Rock River and then into southwest Minnesota along the Redwood River and Des Moines,” Kalin said.

With the soil and rivers close to capacity, the lakes are storing some of the rainfall, but they may not hold much more either.

“The lakes are also starting to fill up. I know in the Great Lakes area of ​​Iowa, those lakes are pretty full. And even lakes in southeastern South Dakota,” Kalin said. “Thompson Lake and just various other lakes are starting to see the levels start to rise.”

Depending on where the rain falls the heaviest, Kalin says there is the potential for significant flooding to develop.

For those who live in flood plains, Kalin says you need to make sure your sump pump is working and make sure downspouts are clear and drain away from foundations. If you live along a river in a flood plain, make sure you have a plan if the water starts to rise. “Make sure you know where you can go and what you need to get out of the way of impending flood water,” he said.

Travel could also be affected depending on where the heaviest rainfall occurs.

“Anytime we look at the amount of rain that we potentially see — that can result in damage especially to rural and lower-lying roads,” Kalin said. “These are usually gravel or low-maintenance roads, but any time you start involving rivers, you can start to see them start to affect paved roads and even highways.”