DILWORTH - The Buffalo River hit 20.13 feet near here Monday, entering moderate flood stage for the first time this spring, according to the National Weather Service.
Major flood stage for the Buffalo in that area is 26 feet.
Bill Barrett, hydrometeorological technician for the weather service, predicted river levels would fall slowly over the next few days, dropping to as low as 15.4 feet by Sunday.
However, Barrett warned that Monday's measurements do not indicate a crest. The Buffalo will likely rise again in the next few weeks as snowmelt and additional precipitation enter local river systems.
Forecasts indicate some probability for light rainfall this Wednesday and Thursday, which could generate about one-tenth of an inch of precipitation, Barrett said.
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Meteorologists have also predicted a larger storm, generating either snow or rain, could hit the area in about a week.
The weather service announced Friday that the Buffalo River has a 50 percent chance of topping 24.6 feet in Dilworth, 17.9 feet in Sabin and 10.7 feet in Hawley this spring.
