With all the talk about flooding in June, and continued above average rainfall in July, we are still getting queries about whether it is safe to travel on the upper river.
Yes, travel is fine. Bridges are open.
Flood waters become especially damaging when levees breach.
On Saturday, floodwaters broke through the last 1,600-foot barrier protecting Winfield in Lincoln County, destroying more than 90 homes and damaging at least 70 more, officials said. Other homes still are not accessible, so more damage reports are likely.
Meanwhile, St. Charles County officials and residents have shored up sandbags in Portage des Sioux and West Alton. Levees there and in the Metro East area — including Old Monroe — appear to be holding.
To find updated volunteer requests, United Way officials say those in Missouri can call 2-1-1 and those with with cell phones or out of Missouri can call 800-427-4626 to find updated information.
The Mississippi River crested last week just over flood stage at around 16.3 feet at Prairie du Chien. The river dropped to about 13.5 feet this week and is forecast to steadily decline to around 12 feet by this upcoming weekend.
The Wisconsin Journal has reported the following park openings as milder weather allows for needed repairs:
Both campground at Devil’s Lake State Park in Baraboo and the Elroy-Sparta State Bike Trail have been reopened. Wildcat Mountain State Park is scheduled to reopen July 3.
While the park and campgrounds at Devil’s Lake are open to visitors, a number of trails and facilities will remain closed due to flooding and storm damage, including both the North and South Shore boat landings; most hiking trails; portions of picnic areas; and the South Shore bathrooms. Portable toilets will be available for visitors using the South Shore picnic area. The park’s beach is underwater, but it has tested as safe, and swimming will be allowed. Most hiking trails are closed.
The 400 State BIKE Trail and portions of the Military Ridge State Trail remain closed. Military Ridge is closed in two locations because of standing water under the second box culvert approximately 2 miles west of Verona and approximately one-half mile east of Klevenville on a section of blacktopped trail.
Check the State Parks current conditions page of the DNR Web site for more information.
The Lower Wisconsin River has dropped considerably in the past week and is approaching near normal seasonal flows. Some sandbars are returning but people considering any paddling this weekend need to be aware there is much more debris and more contaminants in the river than normal due to the flooding. The Kickapoo River has also dropped considerably, but is still well above seasonal normal flows.
Rain amounts in the north have finally filled many lakes for the first time in a number of years, although some lakes are still considerably below normal water levels. Northern river systems like the Flambeau and Chippewa are currently at good seasonal levels for paddling.
Though the Wisconsin River has dropped back down to a normal flow level, Lower Wisconsin and Wisconsin River users are staying away due to DNR warnings of contaminated water. All of the streams in Southwestern Wisconsin have been affected by the flooding, causing wide and braided channels.
The floods have scoured silt-laden places and deposited sediment and rock in other. Streams that have been constricted by bridges and culverts have completely blown out or have created large pools downstream. Be aware that in many areas banks have eroded and may give way underfoot. Strong currents in rivers and streams pose an additional threat.
Fishing on the Mississippi River has been getting better as the water recedes, with channel catfish moving to find nests and being very catchable. Fishing for sauger and walleye also picked up a little late in the week.
While rains have diminished and floodwaters are receding, along with the damage they’ve left in their aftermath, mosquitoes are out in hoards, so don’t forget the bug repellant when venturing out this week.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may have the Mississippi River open to barge traffic between St. Paul and Keokuk, Iowa, (Locks 2-19) by this weekend, but that will not clear the logjam of barges stranded by floodwaters.
A Corps spokesman reported that, “South of there, it looks to be at least the 3rd of July if not later, before we get the locks south of Keokuk operating. Locks 16, 17 and 18, above Keokuk, were completely underwater. There was water over the lock walls, machinery submerged, buildings surrounded by water. It’s only in the last couple days the water has gotten just below the lock walls, so we have some major cleanup efforts under way.”
Below Keokuk, the Des Moines River is a major tributary into the Mississippi. And Missouri was hit early Wednesday by a 4- to 5-inch rainstorm “that has stopped the falling of the river there.”
In Canton, Mo., the water remains 8 feet above the locks.
Sheila wrote today wondering if there was a good part of the blog for asking QUESTIONS about traveling the Great River Road. By all means, ask away. I won’t know everything of course, but what I don’t know I’ll try to find out. So check out the category QUESTIONS QUESTIONS
Pat
Flooding and levee breaches continue as the river crest hits St. Charles and Foley, Missouri, near St. Louis. A smattering of what I’m hearing… Flooding in St. Louis should not reach levels seen in 1993. It’s interesting to note that in areas where the levees “held” (Iowa) flooding was the worst on record. As Illinois levees began failing and flooding farm land, hopes raised that St. Louis would be able to sit this one out. It’s still high enough that 700 people had to be evacuated near St. Charles. In all 26 levees have been acknowledged as “failing.” The Corps refers to a “patchwork” quality to the levees which means the levees work until the weakest spot fails. And there will always be a weakest spot somewhere!
Finally, when will this all end? Roads are still covered with water in Iowa, so it is projected to be a while before all the water has made it’s way into the broad river basin below St. Louis. But not all summer, as it did in 1993!
There’s been so much flooding in Iowa, SW Wisconsin, and SE Minnesota, one hardly knows where to start. These are “floods of record” and many of the stats are being updated at our comprehensive FLOOD page at www.greatriver.com/FLOOD.htm
Meanwhile, military barriars are being adapted to replace some of the sandbagging along the Mississippi as waters begin to peak from Burlington to Quincy.
DAVENPORT, VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: The city was in urgent need of volunteers to fill sandbags in preparation for a 21 foot crest of the Mississippi River early Monday morning. 21 feet was predicted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Saturday. Sunday’s river level was around 19.99 feet by mid-morning. Volunteers are needed to help reinforce two river levees on Pershing and Iowa streets. Volunteers should report to the city’s public works building at 46th Street and Tremont Street.
BURLINGTON: The Mississippi River in Burlington was at 23.65 as of noon. The river was expected to crest at 25.8 feet on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. Flood stage is 15 feet. The previous record stage was 25.1 feet in 1993. The river was not expected to fall below 25 feet until Friday. At 25 feet, one-third of the city’s downtown will be flooded.
CITY OF BUFFALO: Police in the City of Buffalo said they were in dire need of assistance in sandbagging Sunday afternoon. Volunteers were requested to meet at the top of Fifth Street and Washington Street to help with sandbagging along West Front Street. The Mississippi River and Lock and Dam 15, north of Buffalo, was expected to crest around 21.5 feet by noon Monday. The river was at 21 feet as of noon Sunday. Flood stage is 15 feet. Record level is 22.63 feet in 1993.
MUSCATINE: The city of Muscatine was completely cut off from the western part of the state because of flooding from the Cedar River. “All the bridges on the Cedar River are closed,” said Muscatine Fire Capt. Darrell Janssen. The Cedar River is about 10 miles west of town. “You can’t get anywhere west.” Aside from access to the west, Janssen said flooding from the Mississippi River has been minimal.
My husband woke me up early today to look at Eagles on the website, www.iwishicouldfly.com by Alan Stankevitz of La Crescent, Minnesota. Wonderful photography of not just eagles, but a long list of bird photos… including a very clear shot of a red-winged blackbird, wings folded, simply riding on the back of a redtailed hawk. His photos always include something a little unexpected! Alan is passionate about his art, but he is also generous about sharing tips on equipment and offers a journal with highlights from his bird shoots.
As rains continue in north, flooding continues in the south. The Natchez Democrat ran a few photos of what that looks like. The Mississippi River is now expected to crest next Monday.
OK, folks, I have just found the best You Tube pieces on fishing for river cats (including a GIANT) and catching snapping turtles!! Here they are! First watch the TURTLE MAN catching snappers by hand. Play it through and then you have a choice of several more at the bottom. Try the GIANT CATFISH in film #6. Whew! Finally, if you have a little time, join the “Moron Brothers” in the SHANTY BOAT! A little pickin’ and grinnin’ and fishing! Then check out our weekly fishing updates from Pool 8. Or read a first hand story of a young man’s shanty boat adventure on the Mississippi River in the 1930s.