natchez &8212; This time last year, the river was rising and folks were leaving the low-lying areas.

It&8217;s a different story this year. A decrease in rainfall as opposed to an increase last year, has the river watchers at the National Weather Service resting easy.

But low water can be a problem too, NWS Vicksburg district Hydrologist Marty Pope said, and it may only get worse.

&8220;There&8217;s been little snow cover in the upper parts of the Mississippi Valley and Missouri Valley,&8221; Pope said.

So far, there isn&8217;t snow to melt come spring &8212; traditional flood season.

If rain levels stay low, the Mississippi River channel may need to be filled, Pope said. Low levels can be an obstacle to barge traffic.

Though normal spring rain is predicted, and will help, Pope said.

In the upper part of Mississippi basin there&8217;s above normal stream flow, but that may not last too long.

Frank Worley, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Deputy of Public Affairs, said the river stage for Monday was 15.4 and will rise today to 16.2. Worley said it&8217;s much too early to tell what mother nature has in store for Mississippi River this year, but the USACE is steadily working to keep levees in control.

&8220;It&8217;s a long term project to regulate the levees,&8221; Worley said.

The river crested at 51.1 on Jan. 31 last year. Flood stage in Natchez is 48.