Columbia County Authorities Warn Of River Level Increase With Warm Temps

(Columbia) Authorities in Columbia County say that river levels could rise with the weekend’s warmer temperatures. Columbia County Emergency Management Coordinator Kathleen Johnson says the levels could change very quickly depending on temperatures, melt and any future rains. She says with the soils so saturated there is no place for the water to go. People who live in low lying areas or along any river are encouraged to take appropriate actions and to monitor the river levels for any change. Johnson also reminds residents to move items to higher ground inside and out. Currently the Wisconsin River is at 12.95-feet and the National Weather Service is predicting it to rise to 16.5-feet by Wednesday. Minor Flood Stage is 17-feet. Johnson says the Baraboo River, currently at just below 11.5-feet, is expected to rise to 15.7-feet which is seven inches above Action Stage.

A link to the National Weather Service River Gauge can be found here:  http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=mkx&gage=porw3&hydro_type=0