NEW ULM — The Cottonwood River level at New Ulm began to fall earlier this week after M R Paving and Excavating and City of New Ulm crews removed a number of fallen trees near the Cottonwood Street bridge.

The bridge and Cottonwood Street, west of State Highway 15 was closed last weekend.

The Cottonwood River level at New Ulm was measured at 19.72 feet early Monday, according to National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) gauges.

As of 3 p.m. Wednesday, the river was measured at 16.78 feet. The historic crest was 20.86 feet on April 8, 1965.

Major flood stage is 16 feet. The river is forecast to fall back to moderate flood stage (13 feet) Saturday morning and to minor flood stage (11 feet) Sunday morning.

The Minnesota River at New Ulm was observed at 803.08 feet at 3 p.m. Minor flood stage is 800 feet. The river is forecast to remain above minor flood stage through the weekend. Moderate flood stage if 804 feet. Major flood stage is 806 feet.

The Cottonwood River above Springfield was observed at 28.43 feet at 3 p.m. Wednesday. Moderate flood stage is 27 feet. Major flood stage is 32 feet. The river is forecast to fall below moderate flood stage early Friday morning.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) reported Highway 14 opened near Janesville and Highway 30 opened east of Mapleton Wednesday.

However, river levels in many areas continue to climb.

“We continue to implement flood mitigation efforts to reopen state highways to traffic as soon as possible. We are installing a dike on north and southbound Highway 169 near Le Sueur,” read a Wednesday MnDOT update on south central highways impacted by flooding.

Highways closed or with traffic restrictions as of 5:30 p.m. Tuesday include northbound and southbound Highway 169/93 near Le Sueur, Highway 169 from Le Sueur to St. Peter, and Highway 169 from Highway 99 west of St. Peter is closed.

Traffic from Mankato to Le Sueur is detoured to county roads 8, 20, 5 (Old Fort Road), 40, Highway 99, Nicollet County Road 13 and Highway 14.

Motorists wishing to go to St. Peter may exist at Broadway Avenue or on Highway 99 south of St. Peter.

Traffic on Highway 60 in Windom is temporarily detours. check www.511.mn.org for a detour route.

Highway 62 in Windom is detoured to 6th Avenue and Highway 60.

Highway 22 south of St. Peter to Kasota is closed. Traffic may use the Highway 169 detour, Highway 99 (south of St. Peter), Nicollet County Road13, and Highway 14.

For real-time traffic and travel information including road conditions, closures and detour routes, visit www.511mn.org or get the free smartphone app at Google Play or the App Store.