River Flooding
There is about a 90 percent chance that the Minnesota River will reach a least 709 feet. This is about 7 feet higher than Black Dog Road and the Minnesota Riverfront Park. Both are expected to flood, as they routinely do. However, they are expected to be flooded to a significantly higher level than normal this spring. In fact, it is likely that the entire floodplain in the area will be under water. The Minnesota River Greenway Trail and Minnesota Riverfront Park in the area were designed with annual flooding in mind, but will likely be unusable for a while. Construction on the I-35W bridge will also likely be delayed once the water starts to rise significantly.
Localized Flooding
The City’s Public Works crews are working on removing snow piles and de-icing storm drains to try to minimize street flooding. However, with the continued rain, they may not be able to get them all open. Residents are encouraged to help by digging out storm drains in their neighborhoods if they are covered in snow and ice.
Backyard flooding and home drainage will also likely be a challenge over the next several days. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant about water in their yards and watch for water seepage in basements.
KARE 11 recently offered a few tips to help prepare your home for the chance of flooding: https://tinyurl.com/y33ylpl7