what's up with the water level at rest area..Minnesota?

[paulspaddle]

I can't remember exactly the mile marker, but the east bound rest area (rothsay or fergus falls??) was completely under water.

The rest of the country seems to be experiencing low water levels.

What caused this to flood this time of year?

 

[captmello]

Re: what's up with the water level at rest area..Minnesota?

I'm not familliar with that area but I know the lakes in my area are way down. Of the eight or so landings within 15 min of my house, I could only put in at one or two this past summer. Lakes are down 4-5 feet!! Even after all the rain in October, the lakes didn't come up at all. I don't want more snow, but...

 

[paulspaddle]

Re: what's up with the water level at rest area..Minnesota?

Exactly, which is why I was shocked and curious why the rest area was UNDER WATER. The water body around there was completely flooded. Trees, docks, ect all under water. Some kind of epic fail? Weird.

 

[j_martin]

Re: what's up with the water level at rest area..Minnesota?

Iverson Lake was 7 - 10 feet over normal high water in August, and we got a good batch of rain in October. MinDot plans to just abandon the Iverson Lake rest area and build new somewhere else.

I suspect a combination of misunderstanding the local long term hydrology, and maybe road grades interfering with normal water flow in high water is the culprit. Wouldn't be the first time the engineers biffed the whole thing. Don't hold your breath waiting for anyone to take the blame.

http://www.fergusfallsjournal.com/news/2009/may/16/mndot-closes-iverson-lake-rest-area/

http://www.fergusfallsjournal.com/news/2009/aug/05/mndot-seeks-flooding-solution/

 

[angus63]

Re: what's up with the water level at rest area..Minnesota?

Iverson Lake was 7 - 10 feet over normal high water in August, and we got a good batch of rain in October. MinDot plans to just abandon the Iverson Lake rest area and build new somewhere else.

I suspect a combination of misunderstanding the local long term hydrology, and maybe road grades interfering with normal water flow in high water is the culprit. Wouldn't be the first time the engineers biffed the whole thing. Don't hold your breath waiting for anyone to take the blame.

http://www.fergusfallsjournal.com/news/2009/may/16/mndot-closes-iverson-lake-rest-area/

http://www.fergusfallsjournal.com/news/2009/aug/05/mndot-seeks-flooding-solution/

Just read the link and the current temp is 1 degree F. Enjoy your new skating rink compliments of Minn DOT!!!

 

[paulspaddle]

Re: what's up with the water level at rest area..Minnesota?

Nature + epic fail = flooding

Thanks for the link, I knew there must have been something "up" as it looked unnatural.

Can't believe a local road has been under water for over a year! There are some ticked people in that area.

 

[fjohn]

Re: what's up with the water level at rest area..Minnesota?

I don't think I'd be to far off base if I said every lake/pond/slough between Fargo-Moorhead, Detroit Lakes, and down towards Ottertail area are high.. and much higher than previous years. Driveways are underwater, highway 108 going into Pelican Rapids had to be raised, other highways get lanes closed or have water across them often, trees are dying along the shore because they're several feet in the water.
The lake we're on is higher than ever but I think it's because some blasted beavers are still alive there.