National Weather Service issues flood warning for South Fork of Crow River near Mayer
March 12, 2010 by Ivan Raconteur
Filed under Mayer, New Germany, News
CARVER COUNTY, MN – The National Weather Service in Chanhassen has issued a flood warning that includes the South Fork of the Crow River, affecting Mayer, New Germany, and Carver County.
At noon Thursday, the stage was at 5.2 feet. By 2 a.m. Friday, the stage had risen to 6.4 feet. Moderate flooding is forecast. Flood stage is 11 feet.
The forecast was that the river will rise above flood stage by Saturday morning and continue to rise to near 15.4 feet by this Monday evening.
If the level reaches 16 feet, the following road closures are expected:
• Yale Avenue between Carver Co. Rd. 30 and 78th Street will be closed.
• 78th Street will also be closed.
• 62nd Street west of Carver County Road 33 to Yancy Avenue will be closed.
This crest compares to a previous crest of 16.5 feet April 14, 2001.
A slow-moving low pressure system will continue to impact central and southern Minnesota.
The rainfall across northern Wisconsin early this morning will affect portions of east central and west central Minnesota through this evening.
An additional quarter to one-half-inch of rain is expected across the upper Minnesota valley and the Crow River System through tonight.
This forecast precipitation is not included in the river forecasts as of 3 a.m.
Another factor impacting the runoff is the continued above-normal temperatures. Highs today and Saturday will be 40 to around 45 degrees across much of the area, according to the National Weather Service.
Temperatures for Sunday to Tuesday will typically be in the mid to upper 40s, with highs pushing to around 50 in the lower Minnesota and Crow system on Monday.
These warm high temperatures will continue the snow melt.
Ice and debris jams are also a concern as this event unfolds.
The National Weather Service asks anyone who observes an ice or debris jam to report this to local law enforcement officials and the National Weather Service immediately.
Reports can be sent via e-mail to mpx.spotter@noaa.gov
