SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — MoDOT is watching the James River closely as it approaches severe flood stage. If the river rises a couple more feet, it could potentially close ramps along the 60-65 interchange. 

And it wasn’t just MoDOT watching the river Saturday afternoon. After around four inches of rain in Springfield, kayakers came out to the Galloway Creek Greenway to see just how the heavy rainfall had changed the river.

“We kayak on this river when it’s normal,” said Matt Webb, a Strafford resident.

“I come out here all the time to take GoPro videos and kayak,” said Jac McNeese, a Springfield resident.

They say what they see now.. is nothing like what they’re used to.

“The height, the current, the color of the water,” said Webb.

“The parking lot where the fishing access is, all the water is all over the parking lot,” said McNeese. 

Saturday’s flooding wasn’t enough to close the 60 and 65 interchange, but the river rose up to 18.86 feet.

“It’s very close to the bottom of the bridge,” said Webb.

“This is the highest I’ve ever seen it,” said McNeese.

If it reaches 20 feet, the severe flood level, that’s when MoDOT says there’s a possibility of closures.

MoDOT says in July 2015 the river reached 21 feet, and the 60-65 interchange was closed, but for less than a day. As the rain tapers off in the Springfield area, and the river isn’t rising as fast, there’s a chance the interchange is in the clear.

MoDOT says stay home if you can because many secondary routes are closed.

“I had to drive an hour out of my way because so many county roads are closed,” said Webb.

And while it may be inconvenient, it’s your safest bet.

“Just turn around and go a different way,” says Webb.