Heavy Rains Lead To High Water In Western Wisconsin

Flood Watches Are In Effect In Multiple Counties

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Heavy rains will likely cause minor flooding along the Kickapoo River, above. Photo: David LeZaks (CC-BY-SA).

Heavy rainfall over the weekend has led to some high water in parts of western Wisconsin.

The heavy rain is moving into creeks and streams in southwest Wisconsin and will likely cause minor flooding along parts of the Kickapoo River. The rising water and more storms in the forecast have caused the National Weather Service in La Crosse to issue flood warnings in Readstown, Gays Mills, and Viola.

The Kickapoo is a popular river to float down and NWS hydrologist Mike Welvaert says canoers and kayakers need to be careful.

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“We do recommend when the water levels are up like this, you really need to have a high degree of skill if you’re going to be out there,” said Welvaert. “Otherwise I’d probably advise people to wait a few days before the water goes back down.”

The Mississippi River is once again rising and flood watches are in effect in Buffalo and Trempealeau counties. Stronger currents will impact boating, and no-wake zones will likely go into effect on parts of the river.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has closed three Minneapolis-area Mississippi River locks to recreational boaters for the third time this year because of high water flows.

In northwest Wisconsin, flood watches are also in effect through the evening in Burnett and Douglas Counties. The NWS in Duluth says it can be dangerous to fish or camp near high, swift water since a river or stream bank can become unstable at a moment’s notice.