No major flooding expected this spring Ron DeBrock, [email protected] FacebookTwitterEmail A trackhoe on a small barge dredges the channel into and out of Alton Marina Thursday. Only slight flooding chances are forecast for the Mississippi and Illinois rivers this spring, according to an outlook issued Thursday by the National Weather Service. ST. CHARLES — Only minor flooding is anticipated this spring in the Riverbend region, according to the National Weather Service. The NWS Spring Flood and Water Resources Outlook released Wednesday states minor flooding is expected along the Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois Rivers. Chances of major flooding in Alton or Grafton, however, are projected at below 5 percent, with most local streams having a near normal flood risk this spring, officials said.