Cottonwood below flood stage

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- For the first time in weeks, the Cottonwood River is expected to drop to its flood stage level today.

The river was measured at 11.8 feet at New Ulm Sunday, .8 feet above flood stage, by the National Weather Service. It is expected to dip to 10.3 feet Tuesday; 10.0, Wednesday; 9.9, Thursday, and 9.5, Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

The Minnesota River continued to fall a little more slowly than the Cottonwood.

The Minnesota was measured at 804.8 feet Sunday in New Ulm. It is expected to remain above flood stage for as long as three to four weeks in Jordan.

At New Ulm, NWS predicted the Minnesota would fall to 803.0 today, 801.6, Tuesday; 800.8, Wednesday, 800.4, Thursday; and 799.9 on Friday. Flood stage here is 796 feet.

People living along the Minnesota are reminded to continue monitoring dike conditions and be prepared to take appropriate action if problems arise.

Clay and stone dikes at the east edge of New Ulm that were holding back 7 or 8 feet of water now face water depths no greater than 2 1/2 feet, according to New Ulm Street Superintendent Tom Patterson.

"There isn't nearly as much water against our dikes as there was. I believe the Minnesota will stay above flood stage for a while. I just hope it doesn't stay against our dikes for a long time," Patterson said.

The New Ulm City Council is expected to discuss the issue of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flooding study in the near future, according to Patterson.

The idea of a federal study took flight during a City of New Ulm Emergency Response meeting last week that involved Assistant City Manager Tom McAulay and City Council President Dan Beranek.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation reported Sunday that State Highway 99 east of St. Peter was open to traffic at 4 p.m.

State highways that remain closed in south central Minnesota include Highway 19 from 169 to Henderson, Highway 93 from 169 through Henderson to Le Sueur, and Highway 295 in St. Peter.

Motorists are reminded it is unsafe and illegal to drive around barricades.

Flood reports can be found at Mn/DOT's website at www.dot.state.mn.us and click on road conditions.