Flooding issues across the U.P.
Warm weather is finally melting the snow, but it is causing flooding – and concerns of flooding – across Upper Michigan.
—As of 2 p.m., the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Ontonagon County Road Commission are closing M-28 in Ontonagon County, between Bergland and Bruce Crossing, due to flooding at the South Branch of the Ontonagon River in Ewen. The river is currently at 7.5 feet above flood levels, and is expected to rise. Traffic will be detoured on M-64, M-38 and US-45. The duration of this closure is not yet known.
The has issued a FLOOD ADVISORY for the South Branch of the Ontonagon River near Ewen until Tuesday evening.
* at 8 am Monday the stage was 17.4 feet.
* flood stage is 19.5 feet.
* at 15.0 feet…the water reaches the bottom of the M–28 bridge
* at 19.5 feet…the lumber yard near the M–28 bridge in Ewen begins to flood.
—Due to standing water and rising river levels, Ironwood Public Safety and the Department of Public Safety have closed Norrie Park Rd from Lime Street to Riverside Drive. It will be closed until further notice. Questions can be addressed to Ironwood Public Safety at (906) 932-1234.
—The National Weather Service in Marquette has issued a flood warning for the Chocolay River near Harvey in Marquette County until Tuesday evening. At 12:30 p.m. Monday the river was 9.9 feet. Flood stage is 10.0 feet. Minor flooding is forecast. The river is expected to rise above flood stage by this afternoon and continue to rise to near 10.5 feet by late tonight. The river should fall below flood stage by tomorrow morning. As the river rises, the National Weather Service says to expect major flooding:
* at 10.0 feet…water inundates the entire parking lot at the M–28 bridge…and the fishing pier begins to be submerged. Water inundates low lying areas along Timber Lane and Riverside Road downstream of the river gauge site.
* at 11.5 feet…the fishing pier and parking lot near the M–28 bridge will be under water. Timber Lane and Riverside Road may be closed. Homes in that area may experience extensive flooding.
—A FLOOD WATCH is in effect on the Peshekee River near Champion in Marquette County from Tuesday evening to Thursday evening. At 7:00 am Monday, the stage was 4.7 feet. Minor flooding is possible. Flood stage is 8.5 feet and that may be reached early Wednesday morning. Here’s what to expect as the water rises:
* at 8.5 feet…low spots along County Road 607 begin to flood.
* at 10.0 feet…water reaches the bottom of the bridge approximately 2 miles north of M–28 on County Road 607.
* at 10.9 feet…the river reaches the high water mark for the Peshekee River which was set during April of 1985.
* at 11.0 feet…water reaches the bottom of the M–28 bridge.
—HYDROLOGIC OUTLOOK ALERT has been issued for northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan…the National Weather Service says with additional rain fall this week, the Menominee River and tributaries will rise. Forecasts suggest a few locations may approach or just exceed flood stage late this week.
…for the Menominee River near Florence, Wisconsin…
* the latest stage is 6.6 feet and has been steady this weekend. Flood stage is 9.0 feet and is not expected to be reached at this time.
…for the Menominee River near Vulcan…
* the latest stage is 10.5 feet and is rising.
* flood stage is 15.0 feet.
* a below flood stage crest of 13.6 feet is possible Friday.
…for the Menominee River near Niagara…
* the latest stage is 9.5 feet and is gradually rising.
* flood stage is 13.0 feet.
* a below flood stage crest of 12.4 feet is possible Friday.
…for the Menominee River near McAllister…
* the latest stage is 12.5 feet and is gradually rising.
* flood stage is 15.0 feet.
* flood stage may be reached this Thursday with a crest on Saturday.
—A FLOOD WARNING continues for the following rivers in Upper Michigan:
Sturgeon River near Alston affecting Houghton and Baraga Counties
Sturgeon River near Chassell affecting Houghton County
* until Thursday evening.
* at 8:17 pm Sunday the stage was 10.0 feet.
* flood stage is 10.5 feet.
* minor flooding is expected.
* at 10.5 feet…the river begins to overflow onto Sturgeon River Road, Rajala Road and Aho Road.
Paint River at Crystal Falls affecting Iron County
…the Paint River at Crystal Falls, from this evening to Wednesday afternoon is under a FLOOD WARNING.
* at 6:00 am Monday, the stage was 6.4 feet.
* flood stage is 7.0 feet – at that level, waterfront park areas near the M–69 bridge and low lying areas along the river in Crystal Falls become inundated.
* minor flooding is forecast and the river is expected to rise above flood stage by early tomorrow and continue to rise to near 7.1 feet by tomorrow morning. The river will fall below flood stage by tomorrow evening.
… the Sturgeon River near Nahma Junction in Delta County
* until Wednesday morning.
* at 5 am Monday the stage was 8.4 feet.
* bankfull stage is 8.0 feet.
* flood stage is 10.0 feet.
* forecast…the river will rise to near 8.7 feet by this afternoon.
* at 8.0 feet…water overflows the banks along the river.
—A FLOOD WATCH continues for the Trap Rock River near Lake Linden affecting Houghton County until Wednesday morning.
* at 5:15 am Monday the stage was 8.7 feet.
* minor flooding is possible.
* flood stage is 9.5 feet and may be reached by tonight.
* at 10.0 feet…water reaches the bottom of the bridge on Cemetery Road creating backwater effects upstream of the gauging station.
* at 9.5 feet…low lying sections of Cemetery and Schoolhouse Roads become further inundated.
* at 8.5 feet…low lying sections of Cemetery Road and Schoolhouse Road begin to flood.