St. Paul closes roads and parks near the Mississippi River to prepare for flooding

Roads and parks around St. Paul are closed in anticipation of rising waters on the Mississippi River. The river is currently expected to peak around Saturday.

The National Weather Service last measured the Mississippi River at the St. Paul station at 14.8 feet at 6 a.m. Monday. The river is considered to be at moderate flood stage at 15 feet. Current forecasts call for the river to crest at around 20 feet on Saturday.

St. Paul closed a 3.2-mile stretch of Shepard Road/Warner Road on the north side of the Mississippi River Sunday evening in anticipation of flooding.

Concurrent with this closure, Second Street from Kellogg Boulevard to Sibley Street will be closed, and Sibley and Jackson Streets between Second Street and Kellogg Boulevard will be closed to through traffic. One-way street segments that normally connect to Shepard Road will temporarily serve as two-way traffic to provide access to buildings.

The City will keep several roads, parks and facilities closed until river water levels drop, including Water Street between the St. Paul Marina and the Pool and Yacht Club. Other enclosed recreational spaces include:

• Place des Châtaigniers

• Crosby Farm Regional Park – low altitude trails

• Desnoyer Trail/Meeker Island Dog Park

• Fish Hatchery Trail

• Harriet Island Pavilion and public wharf

• Hidden Falls Regional Park – boat ramp and low elevation trails

• Kelly's Landing

• Lower Landing Park – park, dog park and dock at Lambert's Landing

• Lilydale Regional Park – including boat ramp

• Pig's Eye Park

• Raspberry Island

• Robert Piram Trail

• Top landing

• Victoria Park

• Watergate Marina

• City House is open, but the restrooms are closed. Hand washing stations and portable toilets will be available.