Today’s headlines are filled with stories of floodwaters inundating homes and businesses near the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, of evacuations, sandbagging, lock closings and barge traffic halted due to high water and debris. More rain is predicted across the Midwest and dire warnings of major flooding are being issued, as those farther downstream watch warily. It’s not that such stories are uncommon at this time of year, in fact, those who live and work near the great rivers know to expect the unexpected, especially in the spring. Still, one can’t help but notice how drastic and rapid the extremes have been in recent years.