This year's heavy snowpack in Minnesota has been melting rapidly, causing widespread spring flooding across the state. Smaller streams and tributaries reached flood stage this week and will crest early next week, while larger rivers like the Minnesota, Mississippi, and St. Croix will reach flood stage in the coming days, cresting late next week. The Red River is also rising and expected to see moderate flooding over the next couple weeks. Last year's drought has helped intercept some runoff, but rivers will remain high for an extended period.
This year's heavy snowpack in Minnesota has been melting rapidly, causing widespread spring flooding across the state. Smaller streams and tributaries reached flood stage this week and will crest early next week, while larger rivers like the Minnesota, Mississippi, and St. Croix will reach flood stage in the coming days, cresting late next week. The Red River is also rising and expected to see moderate flooding over the next couple weeks. Last year's drought has helped intercept some runoff, but rivers will remain high for an extended period.
This year's heavy snowpack in Minnesota has been melting rapidly, causing widespread spring flooding across the state. Smaller streams and tributaries reached flood stage this week and will crest early next week, while larger rivers like the Minnesota, Mississippi, and St. Croix will reach flood stage in the coming days, cresting late next week. The Red River is also rising and expected to see moderate flooding over the next couple weeks. Last year's drought has helped intercept some runoff, but rivers will remain high for an extended period.
Upper Mississippi, Minnesota, and Red River of the North basins Summary ● This year’s particularly heavy and widespread snowpack over has been melting rapidly in the past week. ● Spring flooding is and will be widespread throughout the state, with some moderate to major flood stages possible. ○ Streams and tributary rivers are reaching flood stage this week and will crest early next week. ○ Mainstem rivers like the Minnesota, Mississippi, and St. Croix will reach flood stage in the next few days, cresting late next week. ○ The Red River of the North is rising from south to north, will see mostly moderate flooding over the next couple of weeks. ● Last year’s drought has actually had a positive effect, with dry soils and low water levels in wetlands, ponds and rivers helping to intercept some of the runoff.
Current river forecasts, showing maximum flood level through April 20
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen, MN April 13, 2023 2023 Minnesota Spring Flooding Upper Mississippi, Minnesota, and Red River of the North basins Snowmelt ● From a peak of around April 1st, snow has rapidly melted from south to north
● Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) readings reached 4 to
6 inches over much of central Minnesota, and 6 to 9 inches in northern Minnesota as well as the headwaters of the St. Croix River in Wisconsin.
● As of yesterday, much of the snow was melted in
southern and central Minnesota, except for some of the upper Minnesota basin. Still plenty to melt in the north.
Animation of snow water equivalent (SWE) from April 1st through April 13th.
National Weather Service
Twin Cities/Chanhassen, MN April 13, 2023 2023 Minnesota Spring Flooding Upper Mississippi, Minnesota, and Red River of the North basins Hot Spots ● Upper Minnesota River and tributaries – ○ Widespread minor to moderate flooding, isolated major flood stage from Montevideo upstream. Ice jams and moving ice and debris in rivers also causing rapid changes. ● Crow River ○ Minor to moderate flood stages from this weekend through next week ● Red River of the North ○ Southern basin starting to rise now; downstream in a few days. ○ Longer duration event could be susceptible to rainfall. ● Rainy River basin ○ Not yet rising, will begin to see impacts next Redwood River at Redwood Falls, April 11, 2023. Picture courtesy of the USGS. week. ○ Another long duration event that would be susceptible to rainfall.
National Weather Service
Twin Cities/Chanhassen, MN April 13, 2023 2023 Minnesota Spring Flooding Upper Mississippi, Minnesota, and Red River of the North basins Hot Spots Hot Spots ● Mississippi River ● St. Croix River ○ Minor flooding from the headwaters to the Twin Cities; moderate to ○ Moderate to possible major flood stage at Stillwater possible major flood stages from St. Paul downstream as more downstream to the Mississippi; long period of high levels rivers converge into the Mississippi. as upstream snowmelt continues.
National Weather Service
Twin Cities/Chanhassen, MN April 13, 2023 2023 Minnesota Spring Flooding Upper Mississippi, Minnesota, and Red River of the North basins Final Thoughts ● Flooding could have been much worse without last year’s drought, and the good fortune of having warm temperatures without heavy rainfall (so far) in April. ● Upcoming precipitation through this weekend expected to be less than an inch – will have no significant effect on flooding. Temperatures will also cool off starting Friday through the end of the month. ● Rivers will be running high for quite some time, especially in the mainstem rivers and in the northern half of Minnesota – any heavy rain in the next few weeks could drive them higher. ○ Lots of debris has been seen in the mainstem rivers, as previously downed trees/branches are swept away.
Seven day total rainfall forecast from NWS Weather Prediction Center, April 13-20 2023.
National Weather Service
Twin Cities/Chanhassen, MN April 13, 2023 2023 Minnesota Spring Flooding Upper Mississippi, Minnesota, and Red River of the North basins Summary ● This year’s particularly heavy and widespread snowpack over has been melting rapidly in the past week. ● Spring flooding is and will be widespread throughout the state, with some moderate to major flood stages possible. ○ Streams and tributary rivers are reaching flood stage this week and will crest early next week. ○ Mainstem rivers like the Minnesota, Mississippi, and St. Croix will reach flood stage in the next few days, cresting late next week. ○ The Red River of the North is rising from south to north, will see mostly moderate flooding over the next couple of weeks. ● Last year’s drought has actually had a positive effect, with dry soils and low water levels in wetlands, ponds and rivers helping to intercept some of the runoff.
Current river forecasts, showing maximum flood level through April 20
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen, MN