Mississippi River flooding endangers, destroys in years past

BRAINERD — The Mississippi River, working via Brainerd and emptying into the Gulf of Mexico, has proven its would possibly in previous years by inflicting flooding in space communities.

The Mighty Mississippi is thought to flood areas in Aitkin. The Nationwide Climate Service in Duluth just lately issued flood warnings when the river overtook roads in that metropolis.

“We had some flooding on the Mississippi River. This was after heavy rainfall that fell within the center portion of Might that pushed the river ranges up,” stated Bryan Howell, a meteorologist with the Nationwide Climate Service.

This yr, the river peaked at 15.2 ft in Aitkin, in keeping with the river gauge alongside 410th Avenue the place the street crosses the river simply north of city, Howell stated.

“There is a boat ramp on the metropolis park that begins to flood out after which there are just a few houses which might be round 15 ft within the Cedarbrook neighborhood that change into surrounded by water,” Howell stated. “It’s actually extra of a nuisance flooding, from what we perceive.”

Minor flood stage in Aitkin is 13 ft, with 15 ft marking the average flood stage degree.

“Traditionally talking, this (yr) is not gonna find yourself within the high 5,” Howell stated.

In response to Howell, the report for Mississippi River flooding in Aitkin was 22.49 ft in Might 1950.

“Taking a look at a number of the impacts that now we have at that time, at 20.5 ft parts of U.S. Freeway 169 northeast of city alongside the river change into impassable. The water goes up over the street,” he stated. “After which it seems like at 21 ft the ability plant on the town wants emergency safety.”

Aitkin will not be the one group, nevertheless, threatened by excessive waters. Within the historical past of the Brainerd lakes space, the harmful power of the river was felt in 1950. The Mississippi overflowed the street between Increase Lake and the river and coated many of the close by flats.

“Crews started constructing a dike on the energy and pumping station. By Might 12, the dam’s superstructure, often extending about 6 ft above the water at regular stage, gave option to the strain of water and particles piling up behind it,” in keeping with native historian Ann M. Nelson.

Nelson wrote in regards to the flood of 1950 for the Crow Wing County Historic Society in her 2016 article “A Temporary Historical past of Early Northeast Brainerd.”

“Sandbags, piled 6 ft excessive, have been positioned on either side of the dam; the river was about 5 ft above flood stage. Thankfully, the dikes on the dam and pump home held. In the meantime, water was masking the street close to the cemetery and seeping onto the soccer subject at Franklin college,” Nelson wrote.

A brand new concrete dam was constructed and two 85-foot gates that have been 7 ft tall have been put in in March 1951.

“The Mississippi often goes up each spring with snowmelt and spring runoff,” Howell stated. “Often, it stays in minor or average flood stage. We do not actually begin seeing numerous issues till it will get nearer to 17 ft.”

The final time the rising river brought on a major impression in Aitkin was July 2016, when native officers declared a state of emergency following torrential rains and flash flooding. Authorities evacuated 4 campgrounds alongside the Mississippi and Ripple rivers and a piece of County Freeway 4 close to Freeway 65 southeast of Aitkin was washed out.

FRANK LEE could also be reached at 218-855-5863 or at

frank.lee@brainerddispatch.com

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