WINONA, Minn. – The worst ended overnight when the Mississippi River crest peaked at 18.8 feet — 14 feet above flood stage. By afternoon the water was down more than a foot. By next Thursday, the National Weather Service projected that the gauge on the Levee would be at 160, still a flood stage but manageable. The good news: The post-1965 dike system kept the river at bay. There were consequences, however: Commercial shipping came to a standstill with locks closed and up and down the river and still closed. Recreational boaters were advised to stay off the water. In fact, many launch-ramps were swamped and inaccessible. Strong currents swept away at least one houseboat. Debris including whole trees will remain a navigational hazard, not to mention riffraff, tons of it, along levees and shorelines.
Charting river’s retreat. At Winona levee. Image: National Weather Service.
Status upriver, downriver
Here are river levels Wednesday morning, either by local or sea level measures:
> Lake City: Crested at 18.98 (moderate flood stage).
> Wabasha: 17.03 (major flood stage).
> Alma: 17.05 feet (moderate).
> Minnesota City: 664.3 feet above sea level: (moderate).
> Fountain City: 660.51 feet above sea level (moderate).
> Winona: 18.81 (major).
> Trempealeau: 651.01 above sea level (major).
> LaCrosse: 15.9 feet and not yet receding (major).
> Genoa: 635.9 feet and not yet receding (near major).
> Lynxville: 630.17 feet and rising (moderate).
> McGregor: 22.8 feet and rising (major).