Mississippi River Reaches Flood Stage In Southwestern Wisconsin

The Mississippi River is near or above flood stage in many places along western Wisconsin.

Minor flooding has been reported in La Crosse, Genoa and Lynxville. Communities near McGregor and Dubuque, Iowa, are also experiencing moderate flooding levels.

“A lot of it right now is from the late-season snowfall and the snow melt from up north just melting and getting into the river system,” said Clint Aegerter, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in La Crosse.

Aegerter said recent rains are also contributing to the high water levels

“It didn’t really cause any additional rises in the Mississippi. More than anything it seems like it will just keep the river in minor flood stage at a lot of sites for a little bit longer than previously forecast,” Aegerter said.

Other rivers in southwest Wisconsin are also at flood stage, with some reports of water over roads on Friday.

“The Kickapoo (River) could get into moderate (flood stage). But that river responds pretty quickly, so it will come up fast and then go back down fast,” Aegerter said.

Aegerter said the elevated water levels are fairly typical for this time of year.