Floodwaters didn't just damage bridge abutments--some bridges were damaged, too

Photo of Chimney Rock Road Bridge is courtesy of Nathan Holth and Rick McOmber of www.historicbridges.org

Eleven roads in Winneshiek County are still closed because of August 24th's flooding.  But it's not just the roads which were damaged by the flooding--in almost every case, it's the bridge the road leads to.

Winneshiek County Engineer Lee Bjerke says ten bridges suffered damages in the flooding--four of them suffered serious damage.

Bridge #346 on Chimney Rock Road may have taken the biggest hit.  Supporting beams on the bridge have been bent by the floodwaters.

Bridge #306 and Bridge #346 on 307th Avenue are closed and will be replaced if the county qualifies for federal FEMA funding.

Bridge #327 on 325th Street might not have to be replaced, but there is still a lot of debris that has lodged against the bridge.

In all, ten of the eleven roads that are still closed to traffic are closed in part because they have a bridge on them that was affected by the recent flooding.