Voyageurs National Park closes backcountry to deal with flood damage

Voyageurs National Park has closed its backcountry for about two weeks due to flooding on several lakes along Minnesota's northern border.

Park officials have closed all backcountry trails, campsites and day use boat rentals because of high water levels that have caused floating debris and submerged docks, park officials said.

Voyageurs staff has started evaluating and repairing damage in the backcountry, which includes the Kabetogama Peninsula. They plan to reopen the backcountry on July 21.

The closure does not include most of the boat-in campsites on the main Voyageurs lakes east of International Falls, though several campsites that were closed earlier due to flooding remain closed.

Rainy Lake has leveled off around 2.7 feet above flood stage, its highest level since 1950. Kabetogama Lake was swollen by last month's heavy rains.