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Mississippi River floods again, causes road closures

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The road to the St. Feriole Slough Boat Landing is under water, along with the surrounding property, including land near the Prairie du Chien Marina. (Photo by Ted Pennekamp)

 

By Ted Pennekamp

 

According to the National Weather Service, the Mississippi River at McGregor crested at 16.77 feet on Saturday. Flood stage is 16 feet. The river is expected to drop slowly.

At 16 feet, the Washington Street Bridge to St. Feriole Island begins to flood. Pumping operations are underway. At 16.5 feet, water may begin to go over the road, covering part of County Highway C near Highway 18. At 17 feet, minor lowland flooding begins, and access to parks near the river in Prairie du Chien is affected.

Prairie du Chien City Administrator Chad Abram said access to St. Feriole Island via Washington Street was closed on Oct. 11 and will remain closed until conditions allow it to reopen. Water began flowing onto Washington Street on Oct. 10. Water was over the Lawler Park Wall on Oct. 9. A part of N. Main Street was closed on Oct. 9 and remains closed until further notice. All boat launches in Prairie du Chien are affected by high water.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, temporarily closed Blackhawk Park near De Soto on Oct. 9.

Corps staff also closed three Mississippi River landings due to the high river stages. They include the Bad Axe and Jay’s landings in Wisconsin and Millstone Landing in Minnesota.

If anyone has upcoming reservations at Blackhawk Park, park staff will contact them as their reservation date approaches, or they may contact park staff at 608-648-3314.

The Corps will reopen the park and landings as conditions allow.

Hunting and fishing

Flood waters and currents offer some extra challenges for waterfowl hunters, anglers and other recreational river users during the fall season.

“During high water (especially flood waters), hunters and fishermen should have a well established plan before venturing out on the river,” said Brandon Jones, Acting Regional Hunting and Fishing Chief of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge – McGregor District.

Jones said the plan should at a minimum include the following:

•Departure

•Expected return

•Location 

•A designated person to contact in case of emergency. This person should also be informed of location, departure, and expected return.

Other things to take into consideration, said Jones, are the environmental elements such as: water current, time of day, temperature (air and water), wind, precipitation, humidity, and navigational hazards. 

“Hunters and fishermen should also make sure their boat is in good working order, and that all the necessary safety equipment is in the boat and up to date,” said Jones. “During high water, the small things can add up quickly, turning a good situation into a potential life threatening situation in a matter of minutes. Taking these few necessary precautions can prevent accidents and save someone’s life.”

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