Minnesota River reaches new crests, starting to recede
MONTEVIDEO -- The Minnesota River is starting to recede after reaching new, second crests in Montevideo and Granite Falls.
The river reached its second crest of the spring season on Thursday.
In Montevideo, the river was reported at 19.86 feet on Thursday, and was expected to come down to 19.7 feet today. The National Weather Service is projecting a steady, but slow downward trend through the upcoming days.
Granite Falls saw the river rise to its second crest of the season at 893.01 feet on Thursday evening.
That makes the 2011 flood the sixth highest recorded in Granite Falls, and bumps the 2010 flood down to seventh place, reported Mayor David Smiglewski of Granite Falls.
Both communities will be keeping a close eye on the river in the week ahead, as the level is expected to remain high.
It will likely be a week before the river drops down enough to allow sanitary sewer services to be restored to the Smith Addition in Montevideo, reported City Manager Steve Jones.
Roadways impacted by the high waters remain closed as well. U.S. Highway 212 between Granite Falls and Montevideo and Minnesota Highway 67 south of Granite Falls are closed.
