1965 Mississippi River Flood Pictures

Pictures of the Mississippi River Flood of 1965

Main Page	Details on the Flooding	Why did it occur?	Other Mississippi River Floods
Media Accounts	Personal Accounts	Flooding Pictures	Acknowledgements

If you have your own pictures of the Mississippi River Flood of 1965, and/or its aftermath and would like them added to this webpage, please send them to the National Weather Service via e-mail at Jeff.Boyne@noaa.gov or via regular mail at N2788 County Rd. FA, La Crosse, WI 54601-3038.

Lake City, MN


Lake City Point - Picture was taken from the Mississippi River looking toward the city on April 28, 1965 - Source: NWS La Crosse Archive	Pump house at Roschen Park, which is on the south end of Lake City. Source: Dean Schumacher, Lake City Graphic & Shopper	Pump house at Roschen Park, which is on the south end of Lake City. Source: Dean Schumacher, Lake City Graphic & Shopper

Central Point on the north end of Lake City - Source: Dean Schumacher, Lake City Graphic & Shopper

Wabasha, MN


On April 16th, the rising waters of the Mississippi River nearly split Wabasha, MN in two. As the main channel on the left rose higher it followed an old river channel through the town until it nearly rejoined the flooding backwaters visible at the top of the picture. When this picture was taken during the afternoon, the water was already over Highways 60 and 61. Source - Chicago Sun Times	This is an aerial view of Wabasha, MN on April 16th. The bridge in the background crosses the Mississippi River and connects Wabasha, MN with Nelson, WI. Source: Chicago Sun Times	Wabasha, MN flooding on April 23, 1965 - Source: NWS La Crosse Archive

Wabasha, Minnesota surrounded by floodwater on April 18th. Source: United Press International	Flooding between Wabasha, MN and Nelson, WI on April 30, 1965 - Source: NWS La Crosse Archive	This is the first of six pictures that Walter Christian took from the front seat of a Piper Cub piloted by Harry Sparks (John Deere dealer from Plainview, MN). These pictures are of the city of Wabasha, MN and Sand Prairie (just south of Wabasha).

This is the second of six pictures that Walter Christian took from the front seat of a Piper Cub piloted by Harry Sparks (John Deere dealer from Plainview, MN). These pictures are of the city of Wabasha, MN and Sand Prairie (just south of Wabasha).	This is the third of six pictures that Walter Christian took from the front seat of a Piper Cub piloted by Harry Sparks (John Deere dealer from Plainview, MN). These pictures are of the city of Wabasha, MN and Sand Prairie (just south of Wabasha).	This is the fourth of six pictures that Walter Christian took from the front seat of a Piper Cub piloted by Harry Sparks (John Deere dealer from Plainview, MN). These pictures are of the city of Wabasha, MN and Sand Prairie (just south of Wabasha).

This is the fifth of six pictures that Walter Christian took from the front seat of a Piper Cub piloted by Harry Sparks (John Deere dealer from Plainview, MN). These pictures are of the city of Wabasha, MN and Sand Prairie (just south of Wabasha).	This is the sixth of six pictures that Walter Christian took from the front seat of a Piper Cub piloted by Harry Sparks (John Deere dealer from Plainview, MN). These pictures are of the city of Wabasha, MN and Sand Prairie (just south of Wabasha).

Winona, MN


On April 16th, flood waters advance on Winona, MN. An elaborate nine-mile dike system was built to protect the major businesses and residential areas of the city. Source: Chicago Sun Times	Deer huddled together on a small piece of high ground surrounded by the floodwaters of Mississippi River on April 20th. These deer were located at the Winona, MN Deer Farm. Feed was taken to them daily by boat. Source: Associated Press	Burlington Railroad washout along the route from Winona, MN to Trempealeau, WI - Source: NWS La Crosse Archive

Minnesota Boat Harbor in Winona, MN on April 27, 1965 - Source: NWS La Crosse Archive

La Crosse, WI


Flooded Causeway - Importance of the dike across Monitor and Bantam Streets is evidenced in this view facing south across the Causeway. Eight inches of water covered the Causeway on April 17th. Source: Edward M. Huebner - La Crosse Tribune	Mississippi River flooding near La Crosse from Grandad's Bluff - April 1965 - Source: Google Images	House flooded by the Mississippi River near La Crosse - April 1965 - Source: Google Images

Flooding near the Causeway in La Crosse, WI - April 1965 - Source Google Images