At its crest, Lake Kampeska reached 44 inches above capacity Sunday according to local officials. That comes complete with reports of waters entering homes around the area.
Watertown Police Department public information officer Troy VanDusen said Wednesday floodwater is receding some places, and rising others.
“Lake Kampeska right now is 3.2 feet or 38.76 inches above full, but it is going down," VanDusen said. "The Big Sioux River gauge at Broadway is 0.96 inches lower than it was yesterday. Lake Pelican is still increasing. That’s a concern of ours with the amount of ice, so we’re watching Lake Pelican.”
While there are fewer residents on Pelican Lake than Lake Kampeska, those who are on Pelican are watching their elevation.
“We’re just continuing to monitor the depth of the lake there," VanDusen said. "Really, it’s just like Lake Kampeska there, it’s continuing to rise, and we’re continuing to monitor.”
Pelican Lake is currently 36 inches above full – but VanDusen said the community was prepared.
“Sandbagging efforts around Lake Kampeska were very successful," VanDusen said. "I think residents were able to protect their infrastructure in a lot of cases – of course we did have some residents that did have water, but for the most part the sandbagging efforts went very well.”
Lake Kampeska and the Big Sioux River are both still in the “minor flood” stage.
