Low water levels along the Missouri River

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The mighty Missouri River is the longest in the United States, flowing over 2,000 miles from its headwaters in Northern Montana all the way to the Show Me state. Even more impressive is the massive basin from which the river collects its water, spanning sections of 10 different states. Not surprisingly, water levels on the Missouri River fluctuate from year to year and season to season, largely depending on precipitation patterns within upper and lower parts of the basin. 

So far, spring of 2025 has been less conducive to flooding along the river than last spring. In May of 2024, the Missouri River was running high locally, as a wet pattern in parts of the lower basin spurred minor flooding along its banks in Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas. June of 2024 remained stormy along the lower Missouri River basin, resulting in moderate flooding locally and major flooding upstream in parts of Nebraska and Iowa. Waters remained high into July of 2024, reaching an independence day crest in St. Joseph at 23.5 feet. This was enough water to flood lowlands and put many on alert, but ultimately resulted in minimal impacts.

As of this week, water levels along the Missouri River are running below normal, falling below 6 feet at the gauge in St. Joseph.The downward trend is largely due to dry conditions in wide swaths of the basin. Moderate drought conditions have recently developed across much of Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas, after a stretch of below average precipitation. The last date of measurable rainfall in St. Joseph was Friday, May 2, when only a trace of rain was recorded at Rosecrans Memorial Airport. 

Meanwhile, an existing drought up river has persisted and intensified since dry spells began plaguing the region last fall. From Nebraska through the Dakotas and much of eastern Montana, moderate to severe drought has persisted, with extreme to exceptional drought in parts of the region. Melting mountain snowpack in northern reaches of the basin has also been below average, contributing to lower river levels.

According to the Climate Prediction Center’s latest outlook, drought conditions are likely to persist in some capacity through the summer months in much of the Missouri River Basin. Low river levels are likely to be a common theme as the warm season progresses.