Blackhawk Park, other landings closed as river levels continue to rise

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District has closed Blackhawk Park near De Soto, WI temporarily due to rising river levels. The Corps has also closed three other Mississippi River landings due to the high river stages from recent heavy rains, including Bad Axe and Jay’s landings in Wisconsin and Millstone Landing in Minnesota.

Those who have upcoming reservations at Blackhawk Park may contact park staff at 608-648-3314, or they may be contacted by park staff as those reservation dates approach. The Corps will re-open the park and landings as conditions allow.

Forecasts from the National Weather Service (NWS) advise that crest levels should be reached by mid-week of this current week, depending upon additional rainfall amounts. Although river levels at NWS measuring stations in Lansing and in Lynxville, WI indicate the Mississippi to currently be near crest just below minor flood stage, stations in Genoa, WI and McGregor are reported as just over minor flood stage and forecasted by the NWS to be nearly a foot over minor flood stage in McGregor later this week.

Boating and other river usage during these high water periods is discouraged by officials at all levels. Those who must venture out on to the river are urged to use caution and should expect to encounter debris and swift currents.