With flood stage in the Quad Cities considered to be 15 feet at the lock and dam, the river measured 4.5 feet over the weekend.
National Weather Service Hydrologist Jessica Brooks that's two feet above the record of just 2.6 feet set in August and September of 1976. And it's been three
years, since 2018, that the Mississippi fell to its current level, or lower.
She blames a drought spreading across the Midwest.
"You do see droughts come and go but this one has been building because of the dry conditions we've had over, say the last nine months or so."
The drought is affecting northern Iowa, southern Wisconsin, and most of Minnesota, lowering the level of the Mississippi and its many tributaries.
Brooks says the main impact of this so far has been on agriculture, but also on recreation. If the river drops even lower, that could affect industries along the river.
