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Cottonwood crests at nearly 20 feet in NU

Beussman Bridge closed by rising MN River

Staff photo by Fritz Busch The Cottonwood River races over Cottonwood Street in New Ulm Friday afternoon. The river crested at 19.64 feet late Thursday, the second-highest crest in recorded history, according to the National Weather Service. It will take a few days for the water to recede below flood stage.

NEW ULM — The Cottonwood River crested in New Ulm at 19.64 feet late Thursday, the second-highest crest in recorded history, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

The historic crest was 20.86 feet on April 8, 1965, according to the NWS. The second-highest crest was 19.15 feet on April 10, 1969. The river reached 18.95 feet on Sept. 26, 2010.

The Cottonwood River in New Ulm was measured at 19.5 feet at 9 a.m. Friday and 19.09 feet at 2 p.m. July 6. Flood stage is 11 feet.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota River started to run over the road on Highway 13 on the northwest end of New Ulm, forcing authorities to close the Beussman Bridge around 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The NWS in the Twin Cities extended the flood warning for Southern Redwood County and southwestern Brown County until 4 p.m. Saturday.

At 2:44 p.m. Friday, local law enforcement and river gauge readings indicated flooding continuing along the Cottonwood River. The river has crested but it will take a few days to recede below flood stage.

Locations that will experience flooding include Sleepy Eye, Springfield, Walnut Grove, Lamberton, Sanborn, Lucan, Clements, Revere, Wanda and Cobden.

Excessive runoff from recent heavy rainfall will cause flooding of small creeks and streams, country roads, farmland and other low-lying areas.

A flood warning also continues for the Minnesota River at Mankato affecting Nicollet and Blue Earth Counties, at Henderson affecting State Highway 19 and Le Sueur, Scott and Sibley Counties, near Jordan affecting Carver and Scott Counties, and at Savage, affecting Hennepin and Scott Counties.

A flood warning also continues for the Redwood River near Redwood Falls, affecting Redwood County.

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