The Missouri Department of Natural Resources introduces a new form of flood and drought communication

After the much-needed but almost excessive rainfall last week, areas are recovering from flooded roadways and higher-than-average water levels. With the impacts that flooding brings, information that is readily available so that you can take the proper measures to stay safe is crucial. The Department of Natural Resources is one of the organizations taking strides in making this information accessible to all.

This project has been in development over the past 3 years, and it uses data from MoDNR's network of streamgages and soil moisture sensors to display real-time conditions, as well as how forecasted weather may impact different regions. It's an app, so you can get all of the information with just a click of a button. Zackary Becker, the MoDNR unit chief who oversaw the development of the app, stated that, "We are using what is called the National Water Model, and the National Water Model takes model data and data from the River forecast centers. And they are pushing projections for forecasting streamflow and forecasting flooding."

You can see where flood warnings are currently active. The current conditions of how high streams or bodies of water are, as well as the forecasted data to get an idea of when flooded areas will potentially see relief, or when an area might be at risk of flooding over the next couple of days. Most importantly, it provides crucial information and notifications during critical situations where flooding is actively taking place in your area.

Not only that, but they also have current drought conditions with sensors across the state that monitor soil moisture, letting you know if the current conditions in your area are fit for proper plant growth, or if the soil under the surface is becoming increasingly dry. When the current drought conditions are paired with the soil moisture monitors, it gives a visual forecast as to which areas may expect the most relief in the coming week.

Zackary Becker adds that, "If I can let you know that there's a high chance of a flood in your watershed or near home, that's information that helps you make a better decision on your drive home drive for work. Now we want it to be not technical, where you turn on the setting and get confused. It's very simple to use. There's only five settings, and that's it."

It is also accessible on your computer, and the goal with this project is to make it so that consuming things like streamgage and flooding data feels the same as consuming an everyday forecast. The MoDNR and MoHIC team are going to continue to install a network of statewide streamgages to monitor water levels, as well as a network of soil-moisture sensors to monitor ground saturation. Data collected from these networks will provide the information that makes the app’s monitoring and forecasting capabilities possible in the first place. Missouri is one of the first states to approach providing information this way, and the hope is that this easy access encourages all to utilize the data for everyday decision-making.