NEW ULM — The Minnesota River is closing in on flood stage.

The Minnesota River Public Water Access at Minnecon Park remains closed as the river climbs toward flood stage–800 feet.

The river was measured at 794.94 feet Thursday. It is forecast to rise to 799.99 feet July 3, according to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Forecasts are based on river conditions plus past precipitation and precipitation amount expected in the next 24 hours.

At 804 feet, flood waters begin to impact Brown County Highway 13 near the Beussman Bridge. The record crest at New Ulm is 811.03 feet on April 9, 1997. The recent crest was 803.4 feet on June 25, 2024.

A flood warning continues for the Minnesota River at Morton affecting Redwood and Renville counties and at Montevideo, affecting Lac qui Parle, Chippewa and Yellow Medicine Counties.

The Minnesota River at Morton was observed at 22.1 feet at noon Thursday. The river is expected to rise to a crest of 24.5 feet Saturday evening. Flood stage is 21 feet. The previous crest is 24.4 feet on March 31, 2009.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Jake Beitich said New Ulm received about an inch of rain Tuesday and Wednesday plus whatever rain fell Thursday.

He said Granite Falls received five to six inches of rain since Tuesday. Morton received nearly two inches of rain the last couple days.

“The worst of the rain is behind us. We’ll get a brief reprieve. Look for more storms over the weekend and later next week. Thunderstorms could mean heavy rain at times,” said Beitich.

For more information, visit https://water.noaa.gov/gauges/nulm5.