Flooding for Northwest Suburbs Not Significant Issue … Yet

The mighty Mississippi River is extra mighty this spring. With high levels downstream and rushing water upstream, it’s a hazard for many communities.

Steve Reckers, who records weather data for the National Weather Service, said he measured 5.6 inches of rain for June in New Hope. That’s close to the normal June rainfall total of 4.75 inches, but he added that storms were spotty throughout the metro this month.

Rain storms have remained consistent and heavy, causing-record setting flooding in many spots.

While flooding effects are much less severe in the northwest suburbs, parks along the Mississippi River are feeling the strain from the high waters.

In Champlin, near Mississippi Crossing Park, City Manager Brett Highcamp said there’s so much debris coming down the river, it’s tough to keep up. Highcamp said more staff are working to keep those city docks clear.

The Mississippi River is moving much faster than usual for this time of year.

In a phone call with CCX News, Highcamp explained that the city is used to this typically in the spring time when snow melts. Conditions like this in June are not typical, he said.

Downriver, Mississippi Gateway Regional Park in Brooklyn Park is seeing less of those effects.

Tom Knisely, a representative for Three Rivers Park District, said they had to cancel paddling programs because of the river’s speed.

At River Park in Brooklyn Park, high water levels closed the lower trail that runs along the river. Parks Director Brad Tullberg said this doesn’t impact operation of the park, but does impact the canoe and kayak launch.

Flood Outlook

Minnesota leaders held a press conference on Friday morning addressing the state’s flood outlook. National Weather Service Meteorologist Dan Hawblitzel told reporters not to worry too much about the rainfall over the past couple days. He said some people had concerns about puddles forming in their lawns.

“The rivers can take quite a bit more water than what fell last night. So, the main impact from what did occur would just be to maybe simply prolong some of the floodwaters. Just a little bit,” Hawblitzel said.

He said they are not expecting any more record flood levels, but there still will be major flooding in St. Paul and down the Mississippi.

“Other locations, we are currently not seeing enough rain to reintroduce flooding problems. However, I do want to supplement that with that there are indications that heavy rain could fall,” Hawblitzel said.

Before that rain comes next week, he said the dry weekend expected should help the river levels recede.

He also encourages people to keep an eye on the National Weather Service’s website, as the forecast is ever-changing.

Brooklyn Park | Champlin