A flood warning continues for the Mississippi River at Aitkin and Fort Ripley.
“Snowmelt has caused area rivers to rise,” the National Weather Service in Duluth reported Thursday, April 10. “Moderate flooding is occurring along the Mississippi River at Aitkin with minor flooding occurring for the Mississippi River at Fort Ripley.”
At Aitkin, the river was at 15.3 feet with flood stage at 13 feet. The river is expected to rise to nearly 15.6 feet after midnight Friday and then begin falling. At 15 feet, a few homes become surrounded by water in the Cedarbrook neighborhood near Eagle Road. The Aitkin City Park becomes flooded with the water at that level. This crest compares to a previous crest at 14.6 feet on May 14, 2014.
The Mississippi River at Fort Ripley reached 11.3 feet as of late Thursday morning with minor flooding. Flood stage is 10.5 feet. The river was expected to continue to rise to nearly 11.3 feet by Thursday afternoon. Additional rises may be possible thereafter. This crest compared to a previous crest of 11.1 feet on July 17, 2016.
“Area rivers and streams will rise or remain elevated through the week due to snowmelt and periodic chances for more rain,” the weather service reported. “Flooding will continue along the Mississippi River at Aitkin and Fort Ripley. Water levels may begin to slowly recede early next week.”
