March Flood Update: Cannon River Flooding Over for Now

Update on Tuesday, March 29, 2011, at 3:15 p.m. CDT

The Cannon River flooding from last week is basically over for now. Several days of good weather and no additional precipitation helped the Cannon return back into its channel.

The road behind Laird Stadium has re-opened as well as the parking lot behind West Gym. There are still large sections of standing water on portions of the practice fields next to the gymnasium, but that water is slowly dissipating.

Because the ground remains very saturated, flooding could occur again should the Northfield area receive a large of precipitation over a short period of time.

Update on Friday, March 25, 2011, at 10:45 a.m. CDT

More good news to report. The water levels on both the Cannon River and its main tributary, the Straight River, continue to drop. The on-campus water level is done nearly a foot, as is the figure from the USGS gauge on the Straight River.

Additionally, the weather forecast looks promising for the next several days. Cooler temperatures—which help limit snow melt—are forecasted through most of next week with only a slight chance of precipitation.

Update on Thursday, March 24, 2011, at 9:45 a.m. CDT

Carleton College continues to work with local and county officials to try to stay abreast of the latest water levels and predictions for cresting.

The Cannon River on campus has dropped about 4 inches since yesterday, and College officials are hopeful that this trend will continue. The U.S. Geological Survey website reports that the Straight River—the largest tributary that feeds into the Cannon River—is down nearly 9 inches over the same 24-hour period.

All of the campus structures affected by flood waters last September remain dry. This includes West Gym, Laird Stadium, and three student residences (Wilson, Allen, and Prentice Houses).

The College continues to closely monitor the situation and precautions will remain in place until the river returns to closer to normal levels.

Update on Wednesday, March 23, 2011, at 12:15 p.m. CDT

The West Gym parking lot and practice fields were once again overtaken by the Cannon River.

Following a week of warmer temperatures, the snow in Southern Minnesota melted at a rapid pace. That runoff coupled with the ground still being saturated from a wet fall caused the Cannon River to spill over its banks once again, flooding portions of the Carleton College campus. (SEE PHOTOS HERE)

While the majority of students have been off campus for spring break, College officials are closely monitoring the situation both on campus and in the surrounding watershed area. As of Wednesday morning, the water level—which is described as moderate to heavy spring flooding—was still at least three feet below heights reached during the September 2010 flood.

Over the weekend, water began covering portions of the Lower Arboretum and the practice fields adjacent to West Gym. In anticipation of rising water levels, sandbag walls/dikes were constructed to protect strategic entrance points to Laird Stadium and West Gym.

By Wednesday, the river reached the berm behind West Gym. Water now covers the road behind Laird Stadium, but that building as well as student housing in Wilson, Allen, and Prentice Houses are still unaffected. Plans are being put in place should the 27 students need to be re-located to other parts of campus. Classes resume for the spring term on Monday, March 28.

Using lessons learned during September’s flood as well as previous spring flooding episodes, Carleton College took steps to minimize damage. Backflow preventers were installed in floor drains and the College installed twice as many and larger sump pumps in both Laird Stadium and West Gym. Backflow precautions have also been put in place at Wilson, Allen, and Prentice Houses.

At this time no projections are available of when the Cannon River will crest.

Video / photos of Cannon River flooding – Fall 2010