Flooding in Wisconsin, March 13 to 31, 2019

The Pecatonica River at Martintown reached major flood stage, cresting at 22.41 feet during the early afternoon of March 16th. Some homes in the Martintown area have floodwaters in their basements and first floors with major damage. Martintown Road and West River Road in Martintown are flooded. The Pecatonica River was flooding upstream to the border with Lafayette County. In Browntown, Hwy 11 is limited to one lane between highway M and Cadiz Spring Rd. Portions of Highway MM and West Indies Road are flooded.

The Turtle Creek at Beloit reached minor flood stage, cresting at 9.07 feet the morning of March 14th. Parts of Bootmaker Drive and Moccasin Trail are flooded. Colley Road is closed between Sager Lane and Brewster Ave. Floodwaters are in the backyards of some homes on East Ridge Road, Moccasin Drive, Boulder Ln, Rockfence Ln, Stonehedge Ln.

The entire Sugar River was flooding from just south of Belleville, downstream to the Avon Township of Rock Co. The Sugar River at Albany reached moderate flood stage, and at Brodhead reached major flood stage. Various roads were closed near the river in the Attica, Albany, and Brodhead areas. These included portions of highway X, Schneeberger Rd., Tin Can Rd., and highway T near the Avon Township of Rock Co. A water rescue occurred on Schneeberger Rd. In Albany, portions of South Water St. floods from a backup storm sewer. Floodwaters affect the basements of some homes along South Water St. and in the basements of a few businesses on North Water St. Floodwaters affect the back yards of some homes along South Mill St. and South Water St. Floodwaters are into Village Park. Farther to the west in the Townships of Jordan and Monroe, lowland and creek flooding resulted in the closure of highway Y from highway 81 to M. Klondike Rd. is flooded and closed in the Town of Jordan.

Pumping of flooded roads was required on highway 83 in the Town of Merton, a portion of Barker Rd. in Brookfield, and a portion of highway K in the Oconomowoc area. A total of 2.5 million gallons of water was pumped off the roadways.

Highway 78 closed from Wiota to Gratiot due to flooding from the Pecatonica River and creeks.

Highway 191 southeast of Dodgeville is closed from highway W to highway K due to the flooding of creeks. In addition, nearby highway 39 is also closed from highway F to highway K due to flooding.

Many roads were flooded and closed in the Township of Avon due to the flooding of the Sugar River and due to lowland flooding. Portions of other roads were closed into central and northeast Rock Co., more specifically in the townships of Spring Valley, Rock, Plymouth, Fulton, and Johnstown due to lowland flooding and creek flooding. A portion of highway 51 was flooded and closed in Edgerton.

Portions of many roads flooded and closed mainly over the western half of Dane Co. More specifically, flooded roads in the deeper valleys and near creeks and the Sugar River. Large portions of highway 78 was flooded and closed and highway 69 from US 151 to near Paoli. Highway 19 was closed at the intersection with highway KP. Portions of South Point Rd. on the far west side of Madison was flooded and closed. Several streets and adjacent yards in De Forest were flooded by the Yahara River. Voluntary evacuations occurred in De Forest.

The east branch of the Pecatonica River at Blanchardville reached major flood stage, cresting at 16.14 feet the early morning of March 15th. McKellar Park in Blanchardville is completely flooded including the swimming pool, tennis courts and football field. Nearby highway H is flooded and closed including the intersection of highway H and 78.

The Fox River at New Munster reached moderate flood stage, cresting at 13.38 feet the afternoon of March 15th. Floodwaters are into the lower levels of some homes in the Town of Wheatland and Village of Salem Lakes along Riverside Drive and Shorewood Drive. Deep water is over a portion of 77th St. in the Town of Wheatland.

The Rock River at Afton reached minor flood stage, cresting at 11.07 feet the early afternoon of March 25th. This flooding continued into April. Floodwaters affect a home on South Christian Rd. on the east side of the river in the Afton area. Floodwaters affect a road in Riverside Park on the north side of Janesville and South River Rd. from the south side of Janesville toward Afton. There is widespread lowland and agricultural flooding in the Afton and Janesville areas.

The Pecatonica River at Darlington reached major flood stage, cresting at 17.62 feet the early evening of March 14th. Major urban flooding in the downtown area of Darlington affecting many businesses, although mitigation efforts resulted in less damage than past major floods. The main highways of 23 & 81 are closed as is Main St. The Lafayette County fairgrounds is flooded. The Pecatonica River is flooding portions of Calamine upstream from Darlington.

Ice jams on Spring Creek and the Crawfish River led to significant flooding in the Lodi and Columbus areas, respectively. Several businesses in the downtown area of Lodi were flooded, and roads were flooded and closed upstream and downstream of Spring Creek. An ice jam at the highway 16/60 bridge in Columbus caused significant flooding near the river. 40 residents were evacuated from apartments and homes. Highway 16/60 was closed from County Road TT in Dodge County to highway 73 in Columbus. Additional road closures occurred upstream on the branches of the Crawfish River near the Village of Fall River and Doylestown. Just southwest of Columbus, County Highway K was closed due to flooding from Robbins Creek. Farther north, the Fox River flooded, including Park Lake in Pardeeville, where severe erosion occurred to one property losing trees and soil along its shoreline. Highway 44 was closed in a couple sections northeast of Pardeeville due to the flooding of the Fox River. In the southwest portion of the county, the Crystal Lake Campground and RV Park was evacuated due to the high levels of Crystal Lake on March 15th, but conditions improved by the next day.|Flooding also occurred in low lying areas across the county which closed a few additional rural roads, including south of Arlington and a small section of highway 188 in the Town of West Point near Lake Wisconsin.

The Dodge County side of Columbus was evacuated near the Crawfish River due to flooding from an ice jam at the highway 16/60 bridge. The streets affected were Campbell St. and Baden St. Highway 28 just northeast of Theresa was closed from highway 175 to highway 41 due to flooding. Several county roads were closed throughout the county.

The Baraboo River at Baraboo reached minor flood stage, cresting at 20.68 feet the evening of March 17th. Floodwaters affect a trailer rental business and a road wayside park about 5 miles downstream from the gauge near the Highway 33 bridge. Floodwaters also affect an auto auction business near I90/94.

The Black Earth Creek at Mazomanie reached minor flood stage, cresting at 11.66 feet the late evening of March 14th. Floodwaters affect Curtiss St. and other streets on the northeast side of Mazomanie, including County Road Y.

The South Branch of the Rock River reached moderate flood stage, cresting at 8.66 feet during the early morning of March 15th in Waupun. Water reached the support beam underneath the Fond du Lac St. bridge and it was closed. County Park Rd. was closed at the bridge as the Rock River flowed around the north end of the bridge, reconnecting with the river. Water was flowing around the north end of the city of Waupun Dam, reconnecting with the river. Gateway Dr. near the river was flooded and closed. Various parks along the river were flooded.

The Fox River at Burlington reached minor flood stage, cresting at 11.9 feet. Floodwaters are into Riverside Park in Burlington. Water is in the parking lot at Veteran's Terrace in Burlington. Water covers a portion of Brever Road about 4 miles south of Burlington. There is lowland flooding in the Burlington and Big Bend areas.

Ice jams on the various branches of the Fond du Lac river caused significant flooding in the city of Fond du Lac. Most east/west roads across the river were closed due to flooding. A large section of highway 23 was flooded and closed in Fond du Lac. Hundreds of people were evacuated from homes and two apartment buildings. Water rescues were needed for those who were stranded in their homes or vehicles. The American Red Cross opened shelters to aid the flood victims. Schools were cancelled on Friday, March 15th.

Several county roads were closed due to the flooding of creeks, rivers, and lowlands. These roads were located near the villages of Dalton and Kingston, and near Utley and in the Township of Berlin. State highway 23 had a partial lane closure due to flooding between Princeton and Green Lake.

The Baraboo River at Rock Springs reached moderate flood stage, cresting at 22.17 feet the early morning of March 15th. Floodwaters affect the edges of Highways DD, 154 and 136 in Rock Springs as well as Busser Park along Highway 136. Water is about 3 feet deep in the baseball diamond in Fireman's Park along Highway DD. Floodwaters affect some businesses, including the Post Office on Highway 154.

The Tri-County Airport was flooded on March 14th due to runoff from the nearby hills. The entire airport including its terminal building and main runway were flooded. The floodwaters did not recede until the last weekend in March. There was only minor flood damage to the runway and buildings.

Many streets on the west side of Sauk Prairie flooded and closed. Some homes surrounded by floodwaters and many basements flooded.

The Sheboygan River flooded low lying areas along the river due to several ice jams. The most impacted area was from just east of Kohler downstream to Kiwanis Park in Sheboygan. Portions of Indiana Ave. and New Jersey Ave., as well as other roads were closed due to flooding. At least one vehicle was submerged in the floodwaters on New Jersey Ave.

The Rock River at Jefferson reached moderate flood stage, cresting at 11.5 feet the late morning of March 16th. Floodwaters affect low lying areas of residential and business property in Jefferson. Water approaches the intersection of Main St. and E. Dane St. South Center Ave. near the river is flooded and E. Riverview Drive near the wastewater plant is flooded and closed. Flooding in Riverfront Park.

A significant ice jam at the Milwaukee River at Cedarburg resulted in ice impacting the Pioneer Rd. bridge. The bridge was closed to traffic and was re-opened on March 18th. Other than lowland flooding, no other impacts were reported due to this ice jam.

An ice jam at the highway 33 bridge of the Milwaukee River at Saukville resulted in the closing of highway W between highway 33 and highway 57. Highway W was flooded by several feet of water. Floodwaters were in the yards of homes along Mill St. Two water rescues occurred after both vehicles drove around the barriers and into the floodwaters on highway W.

The Sheboygan River flooded in the Town of Herman. Several homes and businesses were flooded on Main St. and Franklin Rd. The river was flowing over the Main St. bridge. An ice jam may have been occurring but was not confirmed.

The Fox River at Berlin reached moderate flood stage, cresting at 15.45 feet during the early afternoon of March 27th. Some homes on Webster St. in Berlin are affected by the floodwaters. Riverside and Webster St. Parks are flooded.

The Rock River at Fort Atkinson reached moderate flood stage, cresting at 17.24 feet the late morning of March 24th. This flooding continued into early April. Numerous roads closed: Sinnissippi Dr., Bark River Rd. from Kutz Rd. to Rock River Rd., Rock River Rd. from Milwaukee Ave. to Hwy 106. Ralph Rd. impacted. Floodwaters surround a few homes and businesses close to the river at the end of Vets Lane near the intersection of Highway 106 and Blackhawk Island Rd. North Shore Rd. is closed. The river walkway in Fort Atkinson is flooded and closed.

A significant ice jam at the Milwaukee River at Waubeka closed the Cigrant Rd. bridge. Just upstream from the bridge, 20 homes were impacted by flooding and 50 people were evacuated. The American Red Cross gave aid to the evacuees. Much farther upstream, a lift station in the Village of Newburg was damaged. An Emergency Declaration was issued due to excessive flooding, although the flooding primarily was lowland.

The Baraboo River at Reedsburg reached minor flood stage, cresting at 15.45 feet the early afternoon of March 15th. Floodwaters affect Granite Ave. and South Webb Ave. along the river. There is general inundation of lowland in the Reedsburg area. The walking path in Webb Park and Smith Conservancy is covered with water. The Public Works yard is under 18-24 inches of water.

The Crawfish River at Milford reached moderate flood stage, cresting at 9.39 feet the evening of March 20th. There is widespread flooding of agricultural land and lowland. There is widespread flooding in Riverbend Campground, about 5 miles upstream of Milford.

The Rock River at Lake Koshkonong reached major flood stage, cresting at 11.51 feet the early morning of March 25th. This flooding continued into April. Lake Koshkonong merges with Mud Lake and the Rock River on the east side of the lake. There is knee-deep water over Blackhawk Island Rd. and Lamp Rd. is flooded. Flooding on Oxbow Bend Rd. in the Town of Koshkonong.

The Rock River at Newville reached moderate flood stage, cresting at 7.6 feet the morning of March 26th. Floodwaters surround some homes near East Mallwood Dr. and are into yards and roads across eastern Newville.