Missouri

Lower than normal runoff expected for the Missouri River Basin in 2026

Published

3 weeks ago

February 4, 2026

January runoff in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City was 1.0 million acre-feet, which is 132% of average. Runoff was above average for all of the reaches in the upper Missouri River Basin, even though most of the upper Basin had below-normal precipitation. This was due to above average temperatures causing early snowmelt.

The updated 2026 calendar year runoff forecast for the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, Iowa, continues to be below average.

“Runoff into the reservoir system was above average for the month of January despite the dry conditions across the basin,” said John Remus, chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Missouri River Basin Water Management Division. “With the below-average plains and mountain snowpack we are forecasting a below-average runoff year for the Basin, resulting in reduced flows from the reservoirs, particularly in the upper basin.”

The 2026 calendar year runoff forecast above Sioux City is 23.4 MAF, 91% of average. The runoff forecast is based on current soil moisture conditions, plains snowpack, mountain snowpack, and long-term precipitation and temperature outlooks.

At the start of the 2026 runoff season, which typically begins around March 1, the total volume of water stored in the Missouri River Mainstem Reservoir System is expected to be 48.9 MAF, 7.2 MAF below the top of the carryover multiple use zone.

Releases from Gavins Point Dam are currently 14,000 cubic-feet-per-second and will remain low during February to continue conserving water in the System, based on the guidance in the Missouri River Mainstem System Master Manual.

“While the target winter release from Gavins Point Dam is 12,000 cfs, releases were increased to 14,000 cfs in mid-January to mitigate some of the effects of the much colder temperatures across the lower basin,” said Remus. “Releases will be held steady until ice effects stabilize downstream of Gavins, at which time releases will be reduced to the winter release of 12,000 cfs. Flows will continue to be adjusted to the extent practical based on cold weather conditions,” said Remus.

Basin and river conditions continue to be monitored, including plains and mountain snow accumulation, and System regulation will be adjusted based on the most up-to-date information.

Navigation:
Navigation flow support for the Missouri River is forecast to be at 5,500 cfs below full-service for the first half of the 2026 season, which begins April 1 at the mouth of the river near St. Louis, Missouri. The actual service level will be based on the total volume of water stored within the System on March 15, in accordance with the guidelines in the Master Manual. Flow support for the second half of the navigation season, as well as navigation season length, will be based on the storage in the System on July 1.

Mountain and Plains Snowpack:
Mountain snowpack in the upper Missouri River Basin is accumulating at below average rates. The Feb. 3 mountain snowpack in the Fort Peck reach was 81% of average, while the mountain snowpack in the Fort Peck to Garrison reach was 90% of average. By Feb. 1, about 60% of the total mountain snowfall has typically accumulated. Mountain snow normally peaks near April 17. The mountain snowpack graphics can be viewed at: https://go.mil/mr-mtn-snowpack. Additionally, the plains snowpack is below normal in the upper Missouri River Basin.

Monthly Water Management Conference Calls for 2026:
The February 2026 monthly conference call will be held Thursday, Feb. 5, to inform basin stakeholders of current weather and runoff forecasts and the planned operation of the reservoir system in the coming months. Presentation materials will be available via webinar. The call is intended for Congressional delegations; Tribes; state, county and local government officials; and the media. It will be recorded in its entirety and made available to the public on our website at https://go.mil/mr-news.

Reservoir Forecasts:
Gavins Point Dam

Average releases past month – 13,100 cfs
Current release rate – 14,000 cfs
Forecast release rate – 12,000 cfs
End-of-January reservoir level – 1206.2 feet
Forecast end-of-February reservoir level – 1206.0 feet
Notes: The winter release rate will be at least 12,000 cfs and may be adjusted to lessen the impacts of winter ice formation.

Fort Randall Dam

Average releases past month – 10,800 cfs
End-of-January reservoir level – 1344.4
Forecast end-of-February reservoir level – 1349.8 feet
Notes: Releases will be adjusted as necessary to maintain the desired reservoir elevation at Gavins Point. The reservoir was drawn down to 1337.5 feet near the end of November 2025 to provide space for winter hydropower generation at Oahe and Big Bend. The reservoir will refill to the base of the flood control pool by the end of February.

Big Bend Dam

Average releases past month – 14,600 cfs
Forecast average release rate – 16,300 cfs
Forecast reservoir level – 1420.7 feet

Oahe Dam

Average releases past month – 14,400 cfs
Forecast average release rate – 16,300 cfs
End-of-January reservoir level – 1601.1 feet
Forecast end-of-February reservoir level – 1601.4 feet

Garrison Dam

Average releases past month – 16,100 cfs
Current release rate – 16,000 cfs
Forecast average release rate – 16,000 cfs
End-of-January reservoir level – 1828.0 feet
Forecast end-of-February reservoir level – 1826.6 feet
Notes – Releases were set at 16,000 cfs in anticipation of the river freeze-in at Bismarck, North Dakota. Releases will remain near 16,000 throughout the winter season to benefit winter hydropower generation and to better balance storage in the upper three reservoirs.

Fort Peck Dam

Average releases past month – 5,000 cfs
Current release rate – 5,000 cfs
Forecast average release rate – 5,000 cfs
End-of-January reservoir level – 2221.7 feet
Forecast end-of-February reservoir level – 2221.9 feet
Notes: Releases will remain at 5,000 cfs in February.
The forecast reservoir releases and elevations discussed above are not definitive. Additional precipitation, lack of precipitation or other circumstances could cause adjustments to the reservoir release rates.

Hydropower:
The six mainstem power plants generated 476 million kWh of electricity in January. Typical energy generation in January is 704 million kWh. Forecast generation for 2026 is 7.6 billion kWh compared to the long-term average of 9.3 billion kWh.
To view the detailed three-week release forecast for the mainstem dams, go to https://go.mil/mr-3wk-fcast.

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Missouri

Missouri Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 winning numbers for Feb. 26, 2026

Published

8 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Feb. 26, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Feb. 26 drawing

Midday: 9-4-0

Midday Wild: 0

Evening: 5-3-9

Evening Wild: 1

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Feb. 26 drawing

Midday: 9-7-1-7

Midday Wild: 5

Evening: 4-8-6-3

Evening Wild: 8

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Feb. 26 drawing

Early Bird: 10

Morning: 10

Matinee: 14

Prime Time: 10

Night Owl: 12

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from Feb. 26 drawing

05-20-24-28-33

Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.

To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:

Ticket Redemption

Missouri Lottery

P.O. Box 7777

Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777

For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.

For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.

When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Missouri

Missouri lawmakers propose water and power usage requirements for data centers

Published

20 hours ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Missouri lawmakers propose water and power usage requirements for data centers

Data centers in Missouri would have to follow a set of requirements on electricity and water usage under legislation recently introduced in the House.

“It’s going to work on keeping our utility rates stable so that our folks throughout Missouri, not just St. Charles, but throughout Missouri, are not subject to price jolts and shocks,” said Rep. Colin Wellenkamp, R-St. Charles.

Wellenkamp and another St. Charles County Republican, Rep. Mike Costlow of Dardenne Prairie, have filed legislation titled the AI Infrastructure, Grid Integrity and Water Resource Protection Act. They spoke to reporters about the bill on Wednesday.

The legislation focuses on both electricity and water regarding data centers and, according to the sponsors, extends off a utility bill passed last year in the legislature.

On the electric side, the legislation requires large-load consumers, like data centers, that come to Missouri to pay for the necessary costs to provide them with electricity, including grid infrastructure upgrades.

“We have to make sure that that cost is not passed on in any situation to consumers. We want to protect our residents first, before we start to look to reap the benefits of this kind of investment into our state,” Costlow said.

The water infrastructure section of the bill involves a permit requirement from the Department of Natural Resources for large water users.

“If your facility is going to use more than 2 million gallons of fresh water per day, which is a lot, or 80% of the available capacity of that locality, you have to seek a DNR permit to do that,” Wellenkamp said.

If water usage goes even further, Wellenkamp said the bill would require the building out of freshwater capacity for the locality so that “no one is left in an insecure water environment.”

“We want AI infrastructure. We want a data driven economy. We want that development in our city. We want it in our county. It has to be done right,” Wellenkamp said.

According to Wellenkamp, doing it right means not compromising resources.

Cities are grappling with how to proceed concerning the increase in data centers in Missouri.

Wellenkamp’s district includes part of the city of St. Charles, where a yearlong moratorium on data centers was enacted last year. The St. Charles Planning and Zoning Commission voted this month to delay a vote on a proposed ban on data center development.

In March, St. Louis’ Zoning Section will hear a data center proposal after months of debate over the project.

Ultimately, Costlow said his bill is not intended to be against data centers or AI.

“We have a lot of the strengths that data centers are looking for. We have a lot of water. We have some of the cheapest power in the United States. We have some of the best data connectivity on long haul, dark fiber of anywhere in the Midwest,” Costlow said. “This is a place that data centers can come with very little impact, as long as we put the right guardrails around them.”

The legislation in the House hasn’t been sent to a committee yet, meaning it still has a long path to passing both the House and Senate.

Wellenkamp hopes the legislation gets a hearing quickly.

“It has a lot of interest. It has a lot of movement. But I would say, more importantly, and this is the best arrow in the quiver, it has a lot of urgency,” Wellenkamp said.

The legislation is HB 3362 and HB 3364

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Missouri

Kansas City man faces charges in 2025 shooting death of Missouri State student

Published

2 days ago

February 25, 2026

Press Room

Kansas City man faces charges in 2025 shooting death of Missouri State student

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Kansas City, Missouri, man faces charges in the November 2025 shooting death of Elayjah Murray, 18.

Eric R. Phillips II is charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and abandonment of a corpse.

He was previously identified as a person of interest in the case.

Phillips was charged on Dec. 3, 2025, in Jackson County under seal. The case was unsealed Feb. 25.

Kansas City, Missouri, police were notified early Nov. 28 of the shooting, which took place in Independence.

The reporting party told police Phillips shot her girlfriend, Murray, three times in the face, according to a court document.

RELATED | Family seeks answers 2 months after Missouri State student found shot to death in Independence

While officers were speaking with the victim, a witness came up to police and said she had video from a Ring device that covers the hall between her apartment and the apartment the victim was in.

The witness told police she heard Phillips and the victim arguing, with Phillips saying he would “take care of it” after mentioning there was a dead person in the backseat of his car, per the court document.

Multiple reports were made to the Independence Police Department on the morning of Nov. 28 by family members of Murray, who were worried she had possibly been shot or was dead.

Because of the circumstances, Independence police entered Murray as a missing person.

The following day, Nov. 29, Independence was notified about a death investigation in Kansas City. Investigators were able to match the description of the deceased to Murray.

Murray’s girlfriend told investigators the night, Nov. 27 into Nov. 28, started with her, her cousin, Murray and Phillips going to multiple family locations, having a good time listening to music and taking shots.

Shortly before 3 a.m., Phillips said he had to abruptly take everyone home.

Phillips dropped off the cousin before heading toward Independence to take Murray home.

When he arrived, the girlfriend got out to open the door for Murray to exit. That’s when Phillips shot Murray.

RELATED | KSHB 41 confirms murder suspect worked for Raytown School District in 2025

The girlfriend told police Phillips said he was told to kill her, and he refused to go to a hospital. She also said Phillips threatened she would be next if she didn’t get back in the car.

Phillips drove the two to their uncle’s residence, where the victim ran inside. Once Phillips left, she called police.

Surveillance video from the intersection of 23rd Street and Liberty in Independence captured the shooting, which happened shortly before 4 a.m. Nov. 28.

A court document stated the footage captured the sound of three gunshots and at least two muzzle flashes from inside the vehicle.

Investigators located the phones of Murray and Phillips in gas station trash receptacles. But through historical cell phone data, investigators were able to determine Phillip’s phone pinged in the area where Murray’s body was located about 90 minutes after the shooting.

Additionally, the neighbor’s Ring video captured Phillips telling a story around 10:15 p.m. Nov. 27 about a gay man who was shot in the face in Florida.

The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office reports Phillips is not in custody.

As law enforcement continues to work to locate him, anyone with information is urged to call Independence police at 816-325-7300.

Anonymous tips can be called in at 816-474-8477 or submitted online at kccrimestoppers.com.

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If you have any information about a crime, you may contact your local police department directly. But if you want or need to remain anonymous, you should contact the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers Tips Hotline by calling 816-474-TIPS (8477), submitting the tip online or through the free mobile app at P3Tips.com. Depending on your tip, Crime Stoppers could offer you a cash reward.

Annual homicide details and data for the Kansas City area are available through the KSHB 41 News Homicide Tracker, which was launched in 2015. Read the KSHB 41 News Mug Shot Policy.

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