Upper Peninsula Rivers Approach Record Flooding Levels
Rivers across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula surge toward record levels, with the Menominee River expected to crest Thursday morning near historic highs.
IRON MOUNTAIN, MICHIGAN — Multiple rivers across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula are experiencing significant flooding, with some areas approaching record levels as the Menominee River system and tributary waterways continue to rise, according to flood warnings issued by the National Weather Service.
The Menominee River near McAllister is currently experiencing moderate flooding at 18.1 feet as of Tuesday at 12:00 PM CDT, with forecasters predicting the river will crest at 19.5 feet Thursday morning. This approaches the record flow of 24,800 cubic feet per second at White Rapids Dam, according to the National Weather Service.
Roads and Communities Affected
Flood waters are already covering River Drive and Shore Drive west of Wallace in Menominee County, as well as South Park Road east of Porterfield in Marinette County, Wisconsin. The flooding has reached 18.1 feet, well above the bankfull stage of 12.0 feet and significantly higher than the 17.0-foot flood stage.
At the Menominee River near Niagara, water levels have triggered warnings for the Kingsford and Niagara Parks areas. The flooding affects Sherman Street and the former Stora Enso Mill, as well as the United Methodist Church in Niagara.
Multiple River Systems Under Warning
The Brule River near Commonwealth reached 13.7 feet Tuesday evening, approaching the flood of record. This compares to a previous crest of 13.9 feet recorded on April 25, 1996. At 13.5 feet, flood waters approach seasonal homes northeast of Florence.
The Menominee River near Koss has reached 17.2 feet as of 9:00 PM Tuesday, matching a previous crest of 17.2 feet from April 20, 2002. Water is flooding a boat landing near the gauge at this location.
Flooding is occurring along the Pike River near Amberg, Pine River near Florence, and Peshtigo River near Porterfield, all of which remain under flood warnings until further notice.
Ongoing Monitoring
The National Weather Service has indicated that no specific forecast is available for several of the affected river locations, making the situation challenging for emergency management officials. The flooding affects multiple counties across both Michigan and Wisconsin, including Dickinson, Iron, Florence, Forest, Marinette, and Menominee counties.
At the Menominee River near Vulcan, water levels reached 15.6 feet as of Monday evening, with forecasters warning that flood waters may cover portions of Homestead and Sturgeon Dam Roads if levels reach 19.0 feet. The river near Florence has also triggered warnings for homes along Runbers Road in Florence County.
All flood warnings remain in effect until further notice, according to the National Weather Service Green Bay office. Residents in affected areas are advised to monitor conditions closely and avoid driving through flooded roadways.
