PROJECT ALERT NOTICE (MN) Flooding in Minnesota increases

Date: Thu, 20 Jun 2024 12:48:52 EDT

Summary: Recent heavy rainfall in parts of Minnesota falling on saturated soils has increased flood-affected areas and forecast peaks, with additional heavy rainfall forecast through Saturday.

USGS staff in Minnesota are measuring high water in streams and rivers across the eastern half of the state as a result of repeated rainfall during the past few weeks that have saturated soils. Following a radar-estimated 6-inches of rain that fell in Mississippi and Minnesota River basins earlier this week, the latest substantial rainfall occurred late Tuesday-early Wednesday where up to 6 inches of rain fell in parts of Lake Superior and Rainy River Basins in northeast Minnesota.

Currently, all telemetered gages are operational. After a break for the holiday, 10 staff are deployed across northeastern and southeastern Minnesota. USGS activities include measurements, collecting water-quality samples, monitoring LSPIV sites, communicating and coordinating with other agencies via email and NWSChat, and responding to questions from the public. No telemetered sites with more than 20 years of record have recorded peaks of record yet. From the NWS, 13 gages are above Flood Action Levels, 5 above minor flood levels, and one above major flood level.

Up to five inches of rain is forecast for southern Minnesota today through Saturday. The NWS is considering adding 2-days of precipitation to river forecasts instead of the usual 1-day in order to better understand the severity the additional rain could have on flooding.