Despite Rock Island being only one stop on the 2,320 mile Mississippi River, rising flood waters yet again threaten the safety of the local community.
Flood preparations began in local communities as far as two weeks ago, spurring on flood plans to start action.
According to WQAD, Davenport enacted their plans on laying sandbags for anyone who is affected by the rising water since the “Mississippi River at Davenport is expected to crest at 17 feet on Wednesday, Sept. 28.”
Preparing for the worst, the city shut down South Concord Road from River Drive to Utah Drive and Gaines Street at the railroad tracks south of River Drive.
In Rock Island, city officials warned bike riders of using bike paths along the river.  If levels continue to rise, the city plans to install water pump discharge hoses to redirect water flow.
These rising waters also affect our Augustana Crew team, who operates solely on the Mississippi River.
The President of Crew Team, Paige Phelps, remarked on the rising flood waters.
“The rising water has definitely been affecting us as a team.  There are always dangers to a sport that is done fully on the water, but even more-so when water levels are so high.”
Phelps also added that the “area we can row in has been limited for safety reasons and the water is much more choppy”.
The Augustana Crew team is under the mercy of the Mississippi’s current, and if the water is too rough, they cannot row in it.
The Head of the Des Moines regatta in Des Moines, Iowa on September 23 was cancelled due to the choppy and hard to row in water.
“This is especially hard on [the team] because of the cost and limited amount of regattas we are able to register for in the first place.  We work very hard each morning so having that cancellation was a shock and disappointment.” Phelps said.  
This past weekends’ regatta was not cancelled, however, so the Augustana Crew team was able to go to the Head of the Mississippi Regatta in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The Mississippi floods nearly every year and has been documented for having over 29 major floods.
The water has been reported to be slowly receding as the week progresses, and officials are continuing to monitor the levels.