By Dana Kazel
St. Louis County Sheriff's Emergency Management and other County leaders and staff continue to work through the weekend to assist people and local jurisdictions impacted by this week's rain and flooding.
The County is also working closely with the National Weather Service and Minnesota Power to monitor current and potential impacts downstream resulting from the needed release of water from the Island Lake Reservoir.
Minnesota Power has activated its Emergency Action Plan at Island Lake Reservoir as a result of the heavy rains on June 18 in the upper parts of the watershed, and has increased discharge from the reservoir to ensure the safe operations of the dam in accordance with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) requirements.
Residents on Hunter and Bowman lakes downstream of Island Lake Reservoir are being impacted by flooding. More rain could increase the peak flow and prolong the event, which is anticipated to continue for the next several days.
The County has begun the process of notifying residents on Bear Island Road at Island Lake Reservoir that access to the road may be impacted due to the high flows. The high flows are not expected to impact the company’s hydro facilities downstream including Thomson Reservoir and Fond du Lac dam.
In addition to the Cloquet River, high water is occurring at White Iron Lake below Birch Lake Reservoir near Ely and areas downstream of Whiteface Reservoir.
Minnesota Power Hydro reservoirs are not designed for flood control or to store water during such heavy rain events. While Minnesota Power works proactively and within FERC guidelines to adjust reservoir outflows to reduce peak water levels and flows below the reservoirs, the excess water needs to be passed through the river systems. Real-time water level information is available at https://www.mnpower.com/environment/watertable.
Meanwhile, the County has received numerous requests for sandbags. The County provides these to cities and townships upon request, so people should contact their local jurisdiction to ask if any are available.
Throughout the County, progress continues to repair and re-open roads that had been flooded or washed out. A total of 35 roads remain closed, including one that needed to be closed later yesterday. Current road closures include:
District 4 (northern St. Louis County)
- CSAH 138 Giants Ridge Rd (CR 416 Tower/Biwabik Rd – Terminus)
- CR 356 Range Line Rd (Fire # 9339 – CR 923)
- CR 421 Sassas Rd (State Hwy 1 – CSAH 87 Leander Rd)
- CR 431 Short Rd (CR 948 – CSAH 115)
- CR 467 Heino Rd (State Hwy 53 – CR 912 Ralph Rd)
- CR 467 Heino Rd (State Hwy 53 – CR 430 Burghardt Rd)
- CR 481 Carpenter Rd (UT 8163 Graham Rd – UT 8157 Goodell Rd)
- CR 481 Carpenter Rd (CR 500 – CR 958 Plum Creek Rd)
- CR 481 Carpenter Rd (TH 1 – CR 540 Olson Rd)
- CR 491 Roini Rd (CSAH 82 – UT 8157)
- CR 492 E Anton Rd (CR 912 Ralph Rd – State Hwy 53)
- CR 492 Anton Rd (west of State Hwy 73 from Fire # 11244 – Terminus)
- CR 600 Johnson Rd (CR 948 – CSAH 115)
- CR 620 Salo Rd (90 corner – UT 6301)
- CR 652 Goodell Rd (State Hwy 53 – CSAH 82 Heino Rd)
- CR 796 Kaunonen Lk Rd (Cemetery Rd – CSAH 21)
- CR 912 Ralph Rd (CR 652 Goodell – CSAH 82 Heino Rd)
- CR 912 Ralph Rd (CR 467 Heino Rd – CR 492 E Anton Rd)
- CR 914 Watt Rd (CR 500 – CR 958)
- CR 923 Leander Rd (CR 912 Ralph Rd – Terminus)
- CR 931 Murray Rd (CSAH 22 – CR 491 Gustafson Rd at Bridge)
- CR 936 E Hannula Rd (State Hwy 53 – Terminus)
- CR 939 N Riddell Rd (TH 1 – North Terminus)
- CR 958 Alango Rd (CR 914 – CR 938)
- UT 8110 CR 361 (State Hwy 1 – CSAH 115)
- UT 8110 CR 361(TH 1 – CSAH 115)
- UT 8117 Jackpine Lane (TH 73 – Terminus)
- UT 8143 North Peterson Rd (TH 1 – CR 107)
- UT 8157 Goodell Rd (CR 491 Roini Rd – State Hwy 73)
District 5 (Duluth and surrounding townships) - all roads are now open
District 6 (Central St. Louis County including quad cities)
- NEW: Bodas Road from McKinley east to Barker Rd.
- Brimson Toimi Road between Hwy 16 and Little Creek Road
District 7 (Southwestern St. Louis County)
- South Townline Road (CR 442) from Hingeley Rd. to two miles east of Hwy 73
- Sherwood Anderson Road between Williams Road and Osborn Road
- Shaw Road between Hayes and 92
- Green Rock Road by Belchner Road
People are encouraged to visit the County's online flood resource page at stlouiscountymn.gov/flood to find a map of current road closings, a link to file damage reports online, guidance for handling flooded septic tanks and wells, and other resources.
