In the words of the National Weather Service, "The long awaited melt should start in earnest next week."

While many folks are weary of the mounds of snow and winter in general, a fast melt could create headaches too numerous to count.

"The current snow pack measures anywhere from 20-30 inches from here all the way up to Lake Shetek where the West Fork of the Des Moines River originates," said Emmet County Emergency Management Coordinator Terry Reekers. "This snow pack has a moisture content of 6-8 inches."

The National Weather Service is forecasting Northwest Iowa will be impacted by three different systems in the next 10 days.

"The first one was to occur Friday night. The second one is on the California coast right now and the third one is too far out to forecast," Reekers explained.

Freezing rain and rain dominate today's forecast for Emmet County and more rain is anticipated for Tuesday and Wednesday.

"These three systems will bring moisture to the Des Moines River basin in the next seven-10 days and all of this will drain through Emmet County," he noted.

This will raise the level of the Des Moines River significantly."

He shifted his attention to the East Fork of the river and said Emmet County land will be affected as well on the east side of the county but it is mostly ag-related. "Algona will be the first city to feel the effects from east fork flooding."

Reekers said there are three levels in regard to flooding potential, including: minor, moderate and major.

"Right now we are at the moderate level but our chances of major flooding has risen significantly. The National Weather Service is comparing everything to 1993 when the river crested at 15.3 feet in Estherville."

He continued, "I hope we crest at 14 feet because we will have major problems at 15 feet or higher."