Normal annual process on the gauge-when the river level gets to a certain point the gauge on the bridge can get damaged so it is removed and readings switch over to the bubble gauge read in the box on the south side of the Highway 19 closure. If the readings get to 739 or higher the staff gauge is then used.

* FORECAST... THE RIVER WILL CONTINUE RISING TO NEAR 739.2 FEET BY SATURDAY EVENING. FORECAST TO CREST BETWEEN 738.5-739.5 FEET AROUND MARCH 26-28

This is from www.weather.com. Suppose this if fluid considering the precipitation we are expecting in the next couple of days.

Interesting the forecast for the crest hasn't changed since yesterday - Saturday crest. The 739.2 number is up 0.7 from yesterday.

WGUS83 KMPX 221742
FLSMPX
FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
1242 PM CDT TUE MAR 22 2011

THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR
THE MINNESOTA RIVER AT HENDERSON.
* AT 11:30 AM TUESDAY THE STAGE WAS 734.3 FEET.
* MINOR FLOODING IS OCCURRING AND MODERATE FLOODING IS FORECAST.
* FLOOD STAGE IS 732.0 FEET.
* FORECAST...THE RIVER WILL CONTINUE RISING TO NEAR 739.2 FEET BY
SATURDAY EVENING. FORECAST TO CREST BETWEEN 738.5-739.5 FEET
AROUND MARCH 26-28.
* IMPACT...AT 737.0 FEET...HIGHWAY 99 EAST OF ST PETER IS CLOSED
(ESTIMATED LEVELS FOR SPRING FLOODING)
* IMPACT...AT 736.8 FEET...HIGHWAY 22 EAST OF ST PETER CLOSED
(ESTIMATED LEVELS FOR SPRING FLOODING)
* IMPACT...AT 734.0 FEET...THE FLOODWALL GATES ARE CLOSED.
* IMPACT...AT 733.7 FEET...HIGHWAY 93 MAY BE CLOSED DUE TO HIGH WATER
SOUTH OF HENDERSON AND NORTH OF US 169.
* IMPACT...AT 733.0 FEET...WATER BEGINS ENCROACHING ON HIGHWAY 93
SOUTH OF HENDERSON AND NORTH OF US 169.
* IMPACT...AT 732.5 FEET...WATER BEGINS ENCROACHING ON HIGHWAY 19 EAST
OF HENDERSON.
* IMPACT...AT 732.0 FEET...WATER BEGINS IMPACTING RESIDENCES AND
AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS NORTH AND SOUTH OF HENDERSON.
* FLOOD HISTORY...THIS CREST COMPARES TO A PREVIOUS CREST OF 737.6
FEET ON MAR 22 2010.

Today will be an interesting forecast. The most recent forecast for Mankato called for about a 3 foot rise there by tomorrow which is reflected in the numbers for Henderson above. We will have to see how the weather conditions effects that prediction and what is in store for the next few days.

And another foot by Friday for Mankato!

Looks like it dropped a foot to 738.2 and still Saturday. Hmmmm.....

I think they over estimated the original amount, and then added in the cooler weather to slow the flow to the river, is the reason for the lower predictions. Although, this rain, and snow will either cause a double crest, or it will stay high, and not drop for a long time. Either way, the recent weather didnt help us out at all.