Quad Cities Hydrologist Matt Wilson says a mostly dry forecast into the next week is allowing the Mississippi River to retreat after hitting flood stages in late June.
"We're expecting that the flood stages are going to be decreasing. Thankfully, we're now in full-blown recession from Dubuque down to Keokuk," says Wilson.
He says the five-day precipitation forecast is from a tenth of an inch to half an inch. The lessening rain will allow cities to clean up their riverfronts.
Wilson says the storms this past week caused the Rock River to rise with debris, but enough man-made control structures caught most of it before it entered the Mississippi River.
Even though the Mississippi is receding, Wilson advises to avoid the river until next weekend.
"So close, guys. We almost got there; give it one more week, and things will be back to normal in those locations. It's still pretty high out there now. We only just crossed below major flood stage in the Quad Cities this morning [July 19]," Wilson said in a phone interview with WVIK.
He says Davenport is expected to remove their flood barriers on Monday.
Wilson adds the high-pressure system over the region is giving what he calls gorgeous temperatures.
"Go out...take a hike, go up to the hills. Give it one more weekend, and when the warm temperatures come back next week, hop into the water," Wilson says.
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