Mississippi Above Flood Stage In Wabasha, Winona
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Swollen rivers are threatening some Minnesota communities, including one where city officials are worried that flooding could jeopardize their big Fourth of July celebration.
The surging Crow River in the Wright County community of Delano has become a spectacle for local residents, with pedestrians watching the rising, rushing river from a downtown bridge. The city's community's response team built a levee from Highway 12 through town to Central Park. Pumps are working to keep flood water from infiltrating homes.
Delano is home to one of the state's oldest and largest July Fourth celebrations. City councilor Dan Vick is hoping the river will hold.
"It's only a week and a half away," Vick said. "How high will the river be?"
To the east, the Mississippi River is above flood stage and threatening some Minnesota communities.
The river was about a foot over flood stage Monday in Wabasha, which is experiencing some minor flooding. The Mississippi is also above the flood stage downstream in Winona. The river also is threatening some neighborhoods in St. Paul, rising more than 3 feet above flood stage.
High water on the St. Croix River closed the Stillwater Lift Bridge Monday. Transportation officials say the bridge connecting Minnesota Highway 36 and Wisconsin Highway 64 will be closed to traffic in both directions until further notice.
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