Champlin Police Warn Of Rising Mississippi River
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Spring flooding has caused roads and parks to shut down across Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
One of the latest closures is Mississippi Point Park in Champlin. High water has covered benches and the parking lot. Driving by Mississippi Point Park, Bill Robinson and his son decided to take a short detour.
"We were driving by and then we saw it was over the trees and we stopped in the park and took a look at it, and we said, 'Let's walk down and take a closer look,'" Robinson said.
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He could only get so close. On Friday, Champlin police announced the park would be shut down due to high water.
Law enforcement is now warning the public to respect the barricades because river currents are strong, and the water is extremely cold. It's so high that the park's sign has nearly been swallowed up.
It is the same scene from Hudson to Shakopee, from St. Paul to Chaska, where the spring thaw has caused water levels to rise. According to the National Weather Service, the Mississippi River is expected to crest in Champlin on Sunday.
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Until then, these orange warning signs will stay in place.
Minnesota's State Emergency Operations Center reminds people that it only takes six inches of fast moving water to knock you off your feet.
