Corps of Engineers monitoring flood conditions throughout Minnesota

ST. PAUL, Minn. –The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, is actively working with its partners to monitor flood conditions throughout the state of Minnesota following heavy rains.

Corps of Engineers water managers currently have all of the dam gates above the water from Lock and Dam 2 in Hastings, Minnesota, to Lock and Dam 10 in Guttenberg, Iowa. The gates are not needed to maintain the minimum nine feet of depth with the current conditions.

With most of the recent rain events significantly impacting the Minnesota River basin, Corps engineers are also looking ahead to prepare for any future rain events.

“Because the recent rain events fell with the Minnesota River basin, the rain adds to more water to the Mississippi River and will take several weeks to drain,” said Dan Fasching, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District Mississippi River water manager. “Any additional rain during the next few weeks has the possibility to increase the flood risk.”

Further south near La Crosse, Wisconsin, Corps officials closed its Blackhawk Park June 21, due to recent heavy rains and high river levels. The Corps will reopen the park, located near De Soto, Wisconsin, as conditions allow.

The Corps of Engineers also closed its Mississippi River landings at Jays, Millstone and Bad Axe due to high water. The Corps will reopen the landings as conditions allow. For more information, please contact park staff at 608-648-3314. Corps of Engineers officials want to remind the public to avoid flooded areas while driving and if you are on the water to be vigilant as flood waters often hide hidden dangers under the water to include debris.

The Corps of Engineers stands ready to assist communities respond to flood threats if requested.