Staff photo by Fritz Busch

After opening for a brief period this week, County Road 13 north of New Ulm, including the Buessman Bridge, was closed Thursday from the KC Road to Nicollet County 21 due to high floodwater. Motorists can be fined up to $1,000 and/or 90 days in jail for traveling in the area. If travelers need to be rescued from a closed road, other expenses and penalties will apply, according to the Brown County Sheriff’s Office. The Minnesota River at New Ulm was observed at 803.6 feet at 10:45 a.m. Thursday. It is forecast to rise to near 806.5 feet by early Wednesday, April 24 before starting to fall. Major flooding is forecast.