New models have Polk County officials hopeful flooding will not be as bad as originally thought. A new situation report from Polk County Emergency Management says Saylorville Reservoir won't top the emergency supplemental bladder.
Saylorville Reservoir is expected to reach 888.44 feet on the morning of March 28th. With the supplemental bladder, Saylorville can hold 890 feet. That leaves just over a foot and a half of extra space. Should the water level reach 890 feet, the supplemental bladder would have to be lowered completely, allowing a large amount of water out of Saylorville at one time.
Though the new numbers look favorable, concerns over whether the Birdland levee will hold continue to rise along with river levels.
City crews are taking extra precautions after being informed by the Army Corps of Engineers that the Saylorville Lake spillway is taking on more than double the amount of water it's able to let out.
City works crews are building make-shift levees near Guthrie Avenue and Saylor Road.
If water does top the emergency supplemental bladder the Birdland levee, which protects parts of Des Moines' north side, will be put in jeopardy.
People living in the protected area say they fear a repeat of 2008.
"'Till I saw this I didn't want to think it was happening and then I saw this. It's happening," said Birdland resident Julie Niffenegger.
Saylorville Reservoir is expected to reach 888.44 feet on the morning of March 28th. With the supplemental bladder, Saylorville can hold 890 feet. That leaves just over a foot and a half of extra space. Should the water level reach 890 feet, the supplemental bladder would have to be lowered completely, allowing a large amount of water out of Saylorville at one time.
Though the new numbers look favorable, concerns over whether the Birdland levee will hold continue to rise along with river levels.
City crews are taking extra precautions after being informed by the Army Corps of Engineers that the Saylorville Lake spillway is taking on more than double the amount of water it's able to let out.
City works crews are building make-shift levees near Guthrie Avenue and Saylor Road.
If water does top the emergency supplemental bladder the Birdland levee, which protects parts of Des Moines' north side, will be put in jeopardy.
People living in the protected area say they fear a repeat of 2008.
"'Till I saw this I didn't want to think it was happening and then I saw this. It's happening," said Birdland resident Julie Niffenegger.
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