Knoxville, Iowa -- (June 30, 2010) Increased inflow into Lake Red Rock from its 12,323 square-mile watershed on the Des Moines River continues to cause pool levels to rise as flood waters are stored. In response to the increased inflow due to heavy rainfall runoff over the Des Moines River watershed, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has increased outflows from Lake Red Rock.
Lake Red Rock outflow has increased to approximately 50,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) and is expected to be held for the entire forecast period. Depending on additional rainfall and increased inflow into the lake, releases may need to be increased beyond 50,000 cfs. The Lake’s inflow on Wednesday afternoon, June 30, is approximately 51,000 cfs.
Lake discharges, combined with flows from tributaries below the reservoir are resulting in localized downstream flooding. Residents in flood-prone areas along the Des Moines River watershed should be alert to rising water levels.
Lake Red Rock current elevation is approximately 778.6 feet and slowly rising using approximately 93.5 percent of its available flood storage. The lake level is forecast to crest near 779.6 feet on July 5 using 98 percent of its available flood storage. The lake is currently storing approximately 1,530,000 acre feet of water (approximately 498.55 billion gallons). The record high stage at Lake Red Rock is 782.67 feet occurring on July 13, 1993.
Updated information about Lake Red Rock is available on the web by visiting the Corps’ websites at www.rivergages.com and www.mvr.usace.army.mil. These websites include links to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and National Weather Service websites that track Lake Red Rock elevations, Des Moines River flow and projected rainfall amounts.
Release no. 10-06-31