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Snow Returns to Siouxland and South Dakota This Week, SPM News, 5:04

040819 5:04 

A storm that could bring blizzard conditions to the Midwest is expected to swell creeks and rivers in South Dakota, but not to the levels they rose last month.

The National Weather Service says the winter storm could drop as much as 1 ½ feet of snow on parts of the state later this week.

Hydrologist Mike Gillispie says the snow as it melts will push up rivers and creeks that are receding after heavy flooding. But he says most areas on the Big Sioux River will see only minor to moderate flooding, not major. And he says the new moisture will just prolong major flooding on the James River.

Gillispie says the difference is that last month, heavy rains fell on top of a wet snowpack that's now melted.

A railroad’s decision to raise its tracks in flooded downtown Davenport is drawing concerns about safety and accessibility. The company raised the tracks by 20 inches in some places, without telling the city when the work would start. Local officials are working with Canadian Pacific to plan improvements to the railroad crossings, some of which are still underwater.

Kyle Carter heads the Downtown Davenport Partnership and says he wants the railroad to cooperate more with local leaders.

0408carter                  :16

“It is concerning mostly because it sets a precedent. More so than…is that 20 inches the end of the world? I don’t know. But what I think is more concerning is acting without…without consulting the community that it affects.”

City staff has been meeting with Canadian Pacific employees to develop a plan. Under federal rules, the company has broad authority over the tracks and doesn’t have to alert the city ahead of the changes.

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