High water closes highways in southern Minnesota

An ice jam on the Minnesota River near St. Peter, Minn.
An ice jam on the Minnesota River near St. Peter, Minn., on Sunday has raised water levels, forcing the closure of the Highway 99 bridge.
Minnesota Department of Transportation

Updated: 8:35 p.m.

Snowmelt and ice jams have caused flooding along some rivers across southern Minnesota this weekend, forcing the closure of two state highways.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation said early Sunday that State Highway 93 south of Henderson is closed near the Rush River due to water flowing over the roadway.

That stretch of highway is frequently closed by flooding along the Rush and Minnesota rivers. Last spring, three of the four routes out of Henderson were closed by flooding.

And on Sunday evening, MnDOT reported that an ice jam and rising water had forced the closure of State Highway 99 across the Minnesota River at St. Peter.

Meanwhile, flooding along the Cottonwood River at New Ulm has receded after reaching major flood stage earlier in the weekend due to an ice jam.

And minor flooding continues or is forecast along portions of the Minnesota, Redwood and West Fork Des Moines rivers in southwest Minnesota.

Find updates on river levels and flood warnings here.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.