Water Utility

Sunny skies are forecasted through the weekend, but there is a potential for rain in the forecast early next week. Lake levels continues to drop, but slowly. Engineers estimate that if we don’t experience a rain event in the next four days, levels will fall to the 100 year flood elevation. We are stressing though that because of lake, river and storm drain water levels, another two to three inches of rain will result in flooded streets and potentially basements again.

For this reason we are continuing to stress, leave your sandbags in place. When it is appropriate to remove the bags, the City will provide curbside pick-up for residents if you don’t want to use the sand for snow and ice or other uses. Never put full sandbags or loose sand in your city trash receptacles. The weight will damage truck arms used to lift the receptacles.

City Building Inspection officials have given residents who live on the first floor of the Prairie Park Apartments at 6530 Schroeder Road approval to move back into their units. They are not, however, able to allow upper level residents to return, because flood waters severely damaged the building elevators. Contractors have reported to City staff that they hope to have one elevator back in service next Tuesday.

City staff are also continuing to work to assure safe passage for school children being forced to cross East Washington Avenue at Baldwin Street. Additional personnel will be stationed at the crossing. Students have been unable to use a Yahara River path because of flooding. There will also be additional signage posted to remind motorists to reduce their speed.