Lake levels are forecast to rise over the next few weeks at Lake Red Rock with additional rounds of rain expected to impact central Iowa this week.
As of Sunday afternoon, levels were reported at approximately 758 feet above sea level, or 15 above normal conservation pool, with long-term forecasts showing another 10 feet of water by the middle of the month.
On Monday, the South Overlook boat ramp will be closed until further notice due to rising lake levels. The portion of the Volksweg Trail around the Marina Cove bay will also be closed.
Boat ramps that are currently open include those at the Whitebreast Recreation Area, Marina Cove and Elk Rock State Park (just off of Highway 14) for lake access, and Howell Station Landing for river access below the dam. Parking areas at the Marina Cove ramp are limited during times of high water.
Recent high water levels at the Red Rock Dam have slowed construction work on the upstream side of the dam, but work continues to progress well on the downstream side, according to Missouri River Energy Services. The exterior structure of the powerhouse is complete. Construction of the Red Rock Hydroelectric Project was approximately 83 percent complete at the end of August. Completion, along with reopening of the North Tailwater Recreation Area and other recreation features, is expected in the first half of 2020.
County-wide rainfall totals have been between about an inch (near Swan) to nearly four inches in areas southeast of Lake Red Rock. An additional 2-3″ of precipitation is expected over south central Iowa, with higher amounts west of I-35.
Rainfall totals in Marion County, as of Sunday at 3 p.m., since Thursday afternoon:
Lake Red Rock – 2.7″
English Creek near Knoxville – 3.7″
Des Moines River near Tracy – 3.45″
Cedar Creek near Bussey – 3.8″
Whitebreast Creek near Melcher-Dallas – 2.06″
The following county roads are closed due to flooding:
Elk Horn Drive from Park Hills to Dubuque Drive (since Oct. 4th)
115th Place south of G40 (since Sept. 7th)
Kennedy Street near S71 (since Sept. 7th)
160th Avenue north of Jersey (since Sept. 11th)