Flooding

Press Release: Dry stretch will help lake levels, Lake Mendota crests

City Engineering expects the dry forecast for this week to likely help lower lake levels. The next significant threat of rain is expected Thursday, Oct. 10. City officials will monitor the forecast and provide more information later this week.

Lake Monona has gone down slightly since last Saturday, and we expect this to continue through at least Thursday. Lake Mendota is cresting. Dane County may need to increase the flow out of the Tenney Dam this week to lower Lake Mendota. This may have a minor impact on the water levels on the Yahara River through the isthmus.

City crews will continue to monitor the flow in the Yahara River, the release rate at the Tenney Dam, the weather forecast and any potential impacts on streets and bike paths.

Current Lake levels: Oct. 7, 2019

Lake Mendota

• Current elevation: 852.09 feet
• Up 0.01 feet from Oct. 6, 2019
• 0.71 feet below the 100-year flood (which is 852.80 feet)
• 0.65 feet below historic high (Historic High is 852.74, June 6, 2000)

Lake Monona

• Current elevation: 847.58 feet
• Down 0.07 feet from Oct. 6, 2019
• 0.12 feet below 100-year flood (which is 847.7 feet)
• 0.95 feet below the historic high (which is 848.53 feet, Sept. 6, 2018)

Over the weekend, Madison received about a half of inch of rain on Saturday, and there were no reports of urban flash flooding. City crews were prepared to respond just in case.

Residents should stay informed even when the City isn’t experiencing a flooding event, by visiting this website. Residents should also report flooding on the City’s report flooding form.