Concern lessens about flooding in Winneshiek County

(Photos by decorahnews.com's Paul Scott)(Click on photos for larger images)

Winneshiek County officials are beginning to relax somewhat about possible flooding along the Upper Iowa River and the Turkey River.

Existing conditions along the two rivers are improving.  Of course there is concern if additional very heavy rains occur upstream or over some of the contributing watersheds.

The Law Enforcement Center in Decorah says a culvert has washed out on 177th Street near bridge #226.  There are also road closings on 185th Avenue north of Ossian, on 130th Avenue north of Castalia and on County W-14 south of Coldwater Creek

Several Ossian residents are reporting flooded basements from the rain.  The river level of the Yellow River near Ossian is also much higher than normal.

The La Crosse National Weather Service office in La Crosse currently projects the Upper Iowa to crest at 8.5 feet very early Saturday morning. This level is slightly below the "action stage" for this gauge position.  Winneshiek County officials are now able to monitor seven river gauges and one watershed gauge.  Public access to these gauges can be found at http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=arx

177th Street has been closed to traffic after a culvert washed out

Another view of the culvert washout

Areas east of Ossian received over 4 inches of rain