Flooding Rampant In Minn. State Parks
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - In the last week we've seen more than 12 inches of rain, and it has caused rising water levels in lakes, rivers and streams.
High water has forced the DNR to close some of its recreational trails. At Ft. Snelling that water is blocking the entrance to Picnic Island.
Larry Peterson, park manager at Ft. Snelling, believes it will get worse.
"The flood water is about three feet deep over the road. It's probably going to rise another foot to a foot and a half," said Peterson.
The picnic shelters and trails on the island are off limits until the flood waters recede.
"We also have another island which is Pike Island which is the confluence of the Minnesota River and the Mississippi River that also is closed partially underwater the trail leading to Pike Island is underwater," he said.
The flooding will also affect the Minneapolis marathoners expecting to run the three mile loop on Pike Island Sunday.
"We had to re-route the marathon course for the portion that is in the park they are going to use a portion of the bike trail behind us here, they're going to use a portion of the entrance road," said Peterson.
Swollen rivers have forced other state parks to close boat launches, and no canoes are being rented at Wild River and William O'Brien State Parks.
High water has also swallowed a stationary dock on Lake Minnetonka, and boat launches in Coon Rapids are closed near the dam.
Both the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers are scheduled to crest soon, meaning it could be some time before things in state parks are back to normal.
Not all trails and boat launches are closed. For more information, visit DNR's website.
