Hundreds of Missouri National Guard soldiers - some from Mid-Missouri - have been busy this week constructing sandbag walls to hold back the rising waters of the Mississippi River in northeast Missouri.

About 800 troops are working in towns throughout the region, including Hannibal and Canton, Guard spokesman Gary Stevens said.

The contingent includes 86 guardsmen from the 1035th Maintenance Company based at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis. Capt. Jamie Melchert of Columbia is the unit’s commanding officer.

Melchert said his unit arrived in Clarksville, a river town of about 500 people, on Monday and helped construct a sandbag wall about 12 feet high and 8 feet to 12 feet wide. Military vehicles have been able to transport volunteers and supplies through water as deep as 4 feet, Melchert said.

The guardsman yesterday were monitoring the sandbag walls and operating water pumps in anticipation of the river cresting.

"There’s been several different projections, but anywhere between Sunday and Tuesday, they’re expecting the river to crest," Melchert said.

The soldiers have taken up residence in a local high school and work six-hour shifts before taking six hours off. "It’s just a rotating schedule 24 hours a day," Melchert said.

Stevens said the sandbags have worked "pretty well" at holding the water in Clarksville, and it is unknown how long Guard units will be stationed in the area.

"Really, it’s kind of a case where the Guard will be here as long as the governor and local authorities tell us they need us," Stevens said. "We’re staying as long as they need us to stay."

Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder activated the National Guard on June 14 while serving as acting governor because Gov. Matt Blunt was on a trip out of state.

In addition to supporting sandbagging efforts, the National Guard also has established liaison officers in St. Louis and St. Charles as well as in Jefferson, St. Genevieve and Perry counties.

Mid-Missouri units supporting the flood response include the 1438th Engineer Company from Macon; the 735th Quartermaster Company from Jefferson City and Rolla; and the 835th Combat Support Sustainment Battalion in Jefferson City.

The guardsmen in Clarksville have joined forces with residents there and other volunteers. Melchert said he also has met volunteers from Illinois who came to help.

"We are tired out here, but we’re still working pretty hard," he said. "My soldiers, believe it or not, they don’t mind the duty because we feel appreciated up here."

Stevens said some guardsmen look forward to the deployments in Missouri more than overseas missions. "They actually enjoy the chance to help out at home and make a meaningful difference here in Missouri," he said.

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