UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER - Oh my golly – spring spate on the Wisconsin River, huge wildfires just to our north, the shortest summer ever, and now a historic flood on the Mississippi River, all in just two weeks. It’s going to be a spring for the record books.
The only question as the Independent-Scout goes to press is “how high will she go?” As Kickapoogians are more than familiar with, a big river flood is something that you see coming, and can only watch to see just how bad it will get. The main thing is, with the warnings, you have time – precious time – to prepare.
It’s all hands on deck to do what you can to mitigate the impacts of the inevitable, and the only question in hindsight will be, “was it enough?
High temperatures week before last, that had us all donning our summer gear, produced rapid melting of a huge northern snowpack with a high moisture content. The Twin Cities received 90.3 inches of snow this winter compared to an average 50.1 inches. St. Cloud, Minnesota, received 84 inches of snow this winter compared to an average 46.2 inches, and Duluth received 135.1 inches of snow this winter compared to an average 86.3 inches.
Reports have been flooding Facebook of roiling chocolate milk floodwaters in Mississippi River tributaries to the north such as the St. Croix River and many others. With the rapid melt carrying off soil and nutrients, time will only tell what the impacts to the Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico will be.
High runoff from the Wisconsin River basin, draining a huge chunk of Wisconsin, with its headwaters near the border with Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, are complicating movement of water through the Mississippi River basin.
On Sunday, April 23, NWS reported that the crest at McGregor, Iowa (Prairie du Chien) has a 70-90 percent chance of exceeding 2001 flood levels due to the Wisconsin River confluence. Flows at the Muscoda gauge on the Wisconsin River had been very high for several weeks, at times exceeding 45,000 cubic-feet-per second (cfs). As of Monday, the flows are still high but have begun to moderate, with levels dropping to 41,800 cfs as of Sunday, April 23, at 5 p.m.
NOTE: As of Wednesday, April 26, NWS projects the crest to come in at 23.5 feet between Friday, April 28 and Saturday, April 29. This could put the crest for the 2023 flood in the #3 spot after the #1 crest of April 24, 1965 at 25.38 feet, and the #2 crest of April 20, 2001 at 23.75 feet.
Projected crest
Forecasts having been marching steadily in the doomsday direction for towns up and down the Mississippi River basin for the last week, increasing every day. Good news for Prairie du Chien as of 8:32 p.m. on Monday, April 24, the forecast for the crest, to occur on Saturday, April 29, is now 24.2 feet, down from 24.4 on Sunday, and 24.5 on Saturday.
That being said, it means the likelihood of the crest exceeding the all-time record of 25.38 feet set in 1965 is diminishing. However, projections look to propel this flood into the #2 spot, knocking out the 2001 record of 23.75 feet. No laughing matter.
On Friday, at a press conference held at the Prairie du Chien City Hall, Mayor Dave Hemmer reported that a briefing with National Weather Service earlier that morning indicated that NWS’s forecast was only considered reliable through April 28, and that possible rises on the river between April 28 and May 1 could go as high as 25.2 feet, just under the 1965 record levels of 25.38.
Let’s hope current forecasts are right. Additional precipitation in the basin could change the flood forecast.
North Crawford/Vernon
People in the northern part of the county will immediately start to think not only of our county seat, Prairie du Chien, but also DeSoto, the Lansing Dike, Ferryville, and Lynxville.
On Tuesday, April 25, Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) notified Crawford County Highway Commissioner Kyle Kozelka that the Lansing Dike would be closed. Highway 82, which crosses the Mississippi River on the dike, was closed at 10:15 a.m. It will remain closed until the floodwaters have receded, and the WDOT could survey the situation and assure the roadway’s stability.
As of late morning on Monday, April 24, Daniel Mattson of the Village of Ferryville notified the Independent-Scout that they are experiencing sanitary sewage overflow due to high river levels, with the village unable to treat sewage. No word has reached us with any difficulties in Lynxville.
Vernon County Emergency Management Director Brandon Larson, reached Monday afternoon, reported hearing of no wastewater treatment issues in the Village of DeSoto. Larson reports seeing pre-positioned electronic sign boards in the area of the Lansing Dike along Highway 35.
At the time, Larson said he’s heard nothing from BNSF Railroads, but that water was touching two of the rail trestle bridge crossings in Genoa. He says that if projections stay the course, they may see about another foot of rise in Genoa.
Staff from Vernon County Land Conservation Department report that all trailers have been removed from Blackhawk Island, and their docks are securely anchored by cable.
As of Monday afternoon, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that they have closed several Mississippi River locks and dams to all commercial and recreational traffic, and anticipate more closures in the coming days. Those locations are:
• Lower St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam, Minneapolis;
• Lock and Dam 1, Minneapolis;
• Lock and Dam 3, Welch, Minnesota;
• Lock and Dam 4, Alma, Wisconsin;
• Lock and Dam 5, Minnesota City, Minnesota;
• Lock and Dam 5A, Fountain City, Wisconsin;
• Lock and Dam 6, Trempealeau, Wisconsin; and
• Lock and Dam 8, Genoa, Wisconsin;
Prairie du Chien update
On Monday, April 24, Prairie du Chien Administrator Chad Abrams sent out the following press release:
As of 2:30 p.m.. on Monday, April 24, the river is at 22.02 feet. The current level is now the third highest level behind the 2001 level of 23.75 feet, and the historic crest of April 24, 1965, with a crest of 25.38 feet. The latest projections from the National Weather Service have the river reaching a level at or near 24.2 feet by the afternoon of Saturday, April 29, with a gradual decline on Sunday and Monday to 24 feet.
The Prairie du Chien High School staff and students were able to assist in moving people from residences, and placing sandbags at needed locations. The Prairie du Chien local Marine Recruit office assisted as well with today’s operations.
Road closures
Prairie du Chien Mayor Hemmer has declared all roads that are barricaded closed except for residents who may live in the area.
Crawford County Highway Commissioner Kyle Kozelka has closed County K from Cliffwood Drive to Highway 35 along the Mississippi River. Please stay out of this area unless you live or own property on K. Mayor Hemmer also announced additional road closures:
• North Main Street is closed from Frederick Street to West Court Street
• Washington Street from North Beaumont to North Main Street
• First Street from West Wells Street to West Brunson Street
• Lockwood Street to the Campion Boat Landing
• Prairie Street from Cedar Street North
• First Street from Glen Street to Brunson Street, and from Parrish South
• Wells from the Highway 18 Bypass to Beaumont Road
• All of St. Feriole Island
Grant County Emergency Management reports that all streets in Bagley, west of the railroad tracks, are closed to non-residents. Other road closures include:
• County X between Bagley and Wyalusing – water over the roadway
• County C between Highway 18 and Barker Hollow Road
• Dugway Road between Glen Haven and Bagley
• Dam Road in Cassville Township
• Eagle Point Road at Bluff Lane in Jamestown Township
• O’Leary’s Lake/Recreation is closed
Shelter and water
The shelter facility is operational at Hoffman Recreational Center for those who wish to use it if they experience floodwater in their residence. For all those requesting the evacuation site contact Crawford County Emergency at 608-326-0266.
We received bottled water for all those who need some that are affected by the flood. The water will be available at Hoffman Hall Recreation Center and the Tourist Information Center.
Sewer and electric
Due to a higher predicted river stage, the wastewater department is asking that all people that are or will be receiving flood water into their basement, that they place a plastic bag and a couple sandbags over their floor drain to prevent flood waters from entering into the sanitary sewer line.
In the event a resident decides to evacuate please contact Madison Gas and Electric 1-800-245-1125 and Alliant Energy 1-800-255-4268.
Sandbag operation
Filling of sandbags is continuing at the Prairie du Chien Correctional Institution, while orders continue to come in. A secondary sandbagging location is currently being discussed between the city and county.
Sandbags have been filled and delivered to the location at the corner of East Washington Street and North Ohio Street. Those who need sandbags and have no reasonable means of picking them up, should call the Chamber of Commerce at 608-326-8555, or in the event of emergency call 911.
Municipalities and townships who need sandbags should contact their chief elected official. The city and county are looking for volunteers who would be willing to place sandbags around the city and Crawford County. Please call 608-326-0266 if you would like to volunteer.
Restricted areas
The following rules apply in both the City of Prairie du Chien and throughout Crawford County:
1. You can receive permits to enter restricted areas, at no cost, at Prairie du Chien City Hall between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
2. All permits will be approved prior to issuance.
3. Permits are required for any businesses located or operating in the restricted area.
4. Upon entering any restricted area, you must call the Crawford County Dispatch Center at 608-326-8414, and state your name, contact number in case of emergency, the length of time and purpose for being in the restricted area.
5. Upon leaving, you must notify the Dispatch Center that you are leaving the restricted area.
6. Each time a person enters and leaves a restricted area, they are responsible for moving the barricades that are blocking the road. For example, when you arrive, move barricade, drive through, and then immediately stop and replace the barricades behind you. Repeat the process when exiting as well.
7. If a business is surrounded by floodwaters, the permits do not allow for pedestrian or vehicular traffic through the floodwaters.
8. Access by boats is permissible at your own discretion, BUT law enforcement/fire personnel will not transport by boat. Please keep in mind a slow no-wake is in effect for all waters under the jurisdiction of the City of Prairie du Chien.
9. Violations of these rules could result in penalties or revocation of further access to restricted areas.
