For Minnesota and Chippewa river communities, a sense of normalcy returns
MONTEVIDEO -- Sanitary sewer service was restored Monday morning to the Smith Addition in Montevideo as the floodwaters of the Chippewa and Minnesota rivers continue to recede.
Sanitary service was restored when the Minnesota River dropped to the 17-foot level, according to Steve Jones, Montevideo city manager. He said residents were being asked to limit water use for a few days. The sewer was turned off April 5.
The National Weather Service is continuing to predict a gradual decline in river levels this week.
State highways and county roadways that had been closed due to flooding near both communities have also reopened.
The dropping waters are also providing local officials the opportunity to begin a more accurate assessment of damages. Montevideo will be assessing whether the historic bridges and hand-placed riprap in Lagoon Park was damaged by the high waters.
