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    Nicollet County Historical Society > Blog > Minnesota River Flooding June 2024

Minnesota River Flooding June 2024

July 5, 2024

Sunday, June 23, 2024

A narrow dirt path leads through dense greenery toward a body of water partially visible in the background. Trees and bushes surround the pathway. A post with a sign and a red board with a partial map are on the right side of the path.
Water rising on Trail A at Traverse des Sioux Park.
A lush, green field with trimmed grass extends towards a cluster of tall, leafy trees under a partly cloudy blue sky. The sun shines through, casting light and shadows on the peaceful, open landscape.
River water encroaching from the South.
A grassy roadside area with multiple traffic signs. One sign reads "All Traffic Must Turn Right." A stop sign and a "No Left Turn" sign are visible in the background. The area is surrounded by trees and bushes, and tire tracks are visible on the dirt path.
Water getting close to the History Center’s driveway.
A yellow metal gate blocks a gravel path leading into a forested area with dense greenery. The gate has a sign that reads "Maintenance Vehicles Only." Grass surrounds the gravel path, and tall trees are visible in the background.
Flood water reached the Traverse des Sioux Park gate.
A grassy field with a clear blue sky and scattered clouds. In the middle of the field, there are black metal silhouette cutouts of various animals standing near a small shallow pond. A dirt path is visible to the right, leading to a wooded area in the background.
The low-lying areas of the Traverse des Sioux historic site are already underwater.

Monday, June 24, 2024

A low building labeled "Forest Arts Education Center" stands under a partly cloudy sky. A flooded area covers parts of the driveway and adjacent grassy area. In the background, dense trees surround the center, casting shadows on the scene.
Overnight the water rose dramatically and cut off access to the building.
A road with a sign and a lake.
More of the Traverse des Sioux historic site is under water.
A flooded roadway, with water covering the pavement and extending onto the sidewalk. Traffic signs are partially submerged, and cars are parked on the dry part of the road in the distance. Trees and greenery surround the area under a cloudy sky.
Water was already reaching our sidewalk in the early afternoon.
A group of people stands around a large mound of dirt, filling sandbags under a white canopy tent in a parking lot. Wheelbarrows, shovels, and sandbags are scattered around. The sky is partly cloudy, and trees line the background.
The first wave of volunteer sandbaggers take a quick water break in the afternoon heat.
People are filling sandbags from a pile of sand in a parking lot. A white vehicle and a blue truck are parked nearby. The sky is overcast, and there are trees in the background. Several filled sandbags and empty sacks are on the ground.
Volunteers fill sandbags in the History Center parking lot.
People are gathered near various construction materials and equipment on a driveway beside a building with a garage door. Trees are in the background. The scene appears to involve some form of outdoor work or construction.
The sandbag wall grows to protect the southeast side of the building.
Five people stand near a body of water surrounded by greenery under a cloudy sky. One person holds a measuring tool, while another stands by a tripod-mounted equipment. The setting appears to be a park or nature reserve with flowers in the foreground.
Measuring elevation to determine how tall the sandbag wall needs to be on the north side of the building.
A group of people stands amidst overgrown vegetation near a partially submerged vehicle. One person in an orange shirt is in the foreground, while others work together in the background under a cloudy sky. Sandbags are visible on the ground.
Volunteers build a sandbag wall in front of the north emergency doors.
A group of people gathers outdoors near a wooded area on a concrete path and grassy field. Some are bending over plastic bins, while others stand and converse. A canopy tent is set up, and bags are scattered around, suggesting an organized outdoor event.
Around 30 volunteers came to our rescue and helped sandbag.
A beige building with black-tinted windows surrounded by lush overgrown vegetation and wildflowers. A brick path leads to its entrance, which has double glass doors. Black tarps and various items are scattered near the building against a cloudy sky backdrop.
North sandbag wall.
A parking lot with a long black tarp covering an object stretched across it. Behind the tarp, there is a small storage shed, a beige building with a large garage door, and a few dumpsters. The background has trees and a partly cloudy sky.
South sandbag wall.

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

Aerial view of a building with an orange roof surrounded by extensive flooding. The adjacent parking lot and surrounding greenery are partially submerged in water. Trees and partially flooded fields can be seen in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
Aerial view of the Nicollet County Historical Society surrounded by extensive flooding. The adjacent parking lot and surrounding greenery are partially submerged in water. Trees and partially flooded fields can be seen in the background under a partly cloudy sky. Photo credit Dan Oachs.
A flooded roadway is submerged under murky water, with road signs barely visible above the surface. Trees and greenery surround the area, reflecting on the water. The sky is clear with scattered clouds, hinting at a recent storm or heavy rainfall.
The metal travois on the prairie is hardly visible because the water is so high.
A building with a red roof identified as "Tri-County Restaurant & Catering" is surrounded by floodwater. The foreground shows waterlogged grass and a partially submerged parking lot. Trees and a clear blue sky are visible in the background.
The History Center is surrounded by flood water from the rising Minnesota River.
Aerial view of severe flooding with water submerging a large area, including a building with a red roof, adjacent parking lot, and nearby roads. Trees surround the flooded area, which is next to a highway. Buildings and a parking area are visible on the right.
Drone image courtesy of Jon Smithers showing the museum is an island.

Thursday, June 27 & Friday, June 28, 2024

The image shows the Illinois State Police District 6 Headquarters building in the background, with trees behind it. In front, there are multiple traffic cones along a road, and a flooded area is visible in the foreground on a cloudy day.
Water is still high, but the River already crested.
A road closed with orange barrels lined up and a 'Keep Right' sign indicating a detour. A street light is viewable on the left, and a large green sign is on the right. There is a small grassy area and some buildings in the background.
The waters are beginning to recede.

Saturday, June 29, 2024

Front view of the Treaty Site History Center, surrounded by green shrubbery and plants, with a paved walkway leading to the entrance. The building has a red and beige facade with large windows. The sky is cloudy and overcast.
Access to the site was restored overnight. You can see the high water line where the mulch lies across the sidewalk.
A building with a sign that reads "Tracy Area High School" is situated near a road with an American flag flying on a pole outside. The structure is surrounded by greenery and bushes, with a mostly cloudy sky overhead.
The driveway and cement have mud and silt on them, but we’re glad because that washes away.
A deteriorating building with overgrown vegetation leading up to its entrance. The path is partially obstructed by weeds and what appears to be discarded materials and blankets on the ground in front of the glass double doors. The overall scene looks neglected.
The mulch line shows how high the water got on the north side of the building.
A large plastic sheet covers and extends from a cylindrical object towards the corner of a tan warehouse, blocking access to a garage door. The area is surrounded by concrete and grassy slopes with trees in the background and a cloudy sky above. .
The south side of the building had standing water the longest, but the sandbag wall was not breached.
A dirt and gravel path extends through a green, grassy field with scattered trees in the distance under a partly cloudy sky. The path intersects a small gravel road, leading towards a blue information sign posted on the right.
View from our north patio where the sandbags are located, looking out at Traverse des Sioux.
A rural roadside with a stop sign at an intersection. There are direction signs indicating routes 169 and nearby towns. A muddy path and a small map display are in the foreground. Trees and a building are visible in the background under a cloudy sky.
Traverse des Sioux Road between the museum and the historic site.
A flooded outdoor pathway with standing water, a cut-out silhouette installation of farm animals and people, informational signs, and green trees in the background. The sky is overcast with gray clouds.
Still some standing water on the Traverse des Sioux historic site.
A flooded rural road with muddy tire tracks and standing water blocking the way. Puddles cover the cracked pavement. Green fields and trees are in the background under a cloudy sky. A historic marker stands on the right side near the road.
Sediment buildup on our driveway from a week of flood water.