Staff photo by Fritz Busch
Joseph Jagger, left, and his son Jojo of Springfield catch a sheepshead fish at the Minnecon Park boat launch Friday. Jagger said he enjoys fishing but releases all fish he catches. The Minnesota River was observed at 788.18 feet Friday morning, more than 15 feet lower than the June 25 observation of 803.4 feet, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
NEW ULM — It’s been a summer of extremes for much of southern Minnesota and weather data proves it.
“We set rainfall records across most of the state this summer. Most heavy rains were in June,” said National Weather Service (NWS) Meteorologist Tyler Hasenstein.
He said Mankato received 13.24 inches of rain in June, nearly four times the average of 3.54 inches and the New Ulm area received a similar amount of rain.
“Volunteer (NWS weather) observers in and around New Ulm reported 16 to 18 inches of rain this summer. The average summer rainfall there is about 12 inches,” said Hasenstein.
The Minnesota River in New Ulm has fallen more than 15 inches since June 25 when it was observed at 803.4 feet, according to the NWS National Water Prediction Service. That observation is the highest crest in recent years but well below the historic crest of 811.03 feet on June 9, 1997. Moderate flooding is reached at 804 feet, major flooding at 806 feet.
The City of New Ulm closed the boat access and lower park parking lot in June because they were underwater.
The river was observed at 788.18 feet at 8:45 a.m. Friday. Flood stage is 800 feet.
The Cottonwood River at New Ulm fell more than 16 feet since June 24. It was observed at 3.67 feet at 1 p.m. Friday.
That compares to 19.72 feet on June 24, the highest recent crest and second-highest historic crest. The only Cottonwood River observation at New Ulm that was higher was 20.86 feet on April 8, 1965. Major flood level is 812.05 feet.
“We expect the rest of September to be fairly dry. After that, it’s pretty ambiguous. Predictability is too low to predict with any certainty,” said Hasenstein.
“The main thing to watch is if another La Nina develops. By late October, we should have more predictability about the rest of the winter,” he said.
Hasenstein said New Ulm’s average summer temperature and average daily high were right on the average–70 degrees for the summer and an 82.5 degree daily high.
The NWS Climate Prediction Center Long-Range Forecast forecasts above average temperatures through November.
“We’re just below the state average of 18 tornadoes a year, with 14 this year, but we’re still got some summer left,” he said.
The nearest confirmed tornado was reported this summer was near Sveadahl, several miles northwest of St. James.
Although the Minnesota River is quite low now, fishermen are reporting success.
Joseph Jager and his son Jojo of Springfield hooked a small sheepshead late Friday morning.
“I don’t like eating fish. I just like fishing and release everything I catch,” said Jager.
His favorite Minnesota River fishing spots are Minnecon Park where he usually catches catfish and carp and near Delhi, northwest of Redwood Falls. Jager said he usually catches sturgeon and carp in the Minnesota River there and bass and northern in a small pond that drains into the Minnesota River.
Mathiowetz Construction trucks and heavy equipment were busy underneath the Brown County Highway 13 bridge Friday, removing a large amount of fallen trees from the Cottonwood River.
Brown County Highway Engineer Wayne Stevens said the heavy June rain caused lots of fallen trees to create log jams in the Cottonwood River including the CR 13 bridge, the CR 11 bridge near the county landfill, and in Springfield.
Stevens described what it was like in late June around the CR 13 bridge.
“The raging river was so high, fallen trees were near the (bridge) deck. I saw a 30-foot tree get sucked by river current underneath the debris,” he said.
“The CR 13 bridge debris was considered an emergency operation that needed to be done before the next high water. It’s not easy. Mathiowetz Construction was the only company that would bid on the job. The federal highway administration will reimburse us 80 to 100% of the cost, depending on what they decide,” said Stevens.
He said more tree debris were found on 280th Avenue in Leavenworth Township, near the Stark Township line. Stevens said he will contact the township about removing the debris.
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Publish date : 2024-09-06 19:06:00
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