St. Paul closes island parks as Mississippi rises
The rising Mississippi River has flooded the great lawn at Harriet Island in St. Paul with more than a foot of water, prompting the city to close the park.
City spokeswoman Erin Dady says Harriet Island and Raspberry Island parks were closed Monday morning.
The closure was expected when the river got to 17 feet. The National Weather Service reports it was at nearly 17.5 feet early Monday.
Last week the city erected barriers to protect the buildings on Harriet Island from flood debris.
Shepard/Warner Road between Eagle St. and Higway 61 was closed to traffic on Saturday. The city is building a pair of temporary levees at low spots on Shepard Road to protect the Lowertown neighborhood.
The Mississippi River is now expected to crest on Wednesday at 19.5 feet, more than two feet above major flood stage. Dady says the city doesn't expect damage to homes or businesses.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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