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La Crosse, WI

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Mississippi River Flood of 2023

Weather.gov > La Crosse, WI > Mississippi River Flood of 2023

Overview

Major to moderate flooding impacted much of the Upper Mississippi River valley from late April through the early part of May 2023. Locations from Wabasha, MN down through Guttenberg, IA set Top 5 records for flooding, cresting about 1 to 1 1/2 feet under levels reached during the flood of 2001. 

Why so much water? There were several factors, highlighted by an abnormally deep snowpack across the headwaters of the Mississippi River and its northern tributaries (that feed it). A colder than normal March followed by a rapid warmup in April quickly melted the snow, dropping locations from over 20" of snow pack on April 1st to just a trace by mid month. While some of that snow melt was absorbed into the ground, much of it drained into the Mississippi River basin. In addition, April was an abnormally wet month, with rainfall aiding the snow melt and adding additional runoff in the river systems. Lastly, late season winter storms dropped more snow across northern parts of the region - providing another water resource to push river crests higher.  

In the end, much of this portion of the Mississippi River rose into flood toward the end of the 2nd week of April, cresting during the last week (24th through 28th). The flooding would not recede until the first and second weeks of May. 

Widespread low land flooding was experienced along the breadth of the Mississippi, impacting parks, campsites, roads, boat houses and near shore homes, docks, etc. Some roads and parks were closed for a period due to the flooding.

 Mississippi River Crests Spring 2023
Mississippi River Crests Spring 2023

Hydrographs

Lake City PEAK CREST: 18.96 ft on April 24th
 
Lake City hydrograph 2023 flooding
Flood Categories
Major Flood: 20 ft
Moderate Flood: 18 ft
Flood Stage: 16 ft
Action Stage: 14 ft
Historical Crests:
  1. 22.18 ft on 04/19/1965
  2. 20.20 ft on 04/17/1969
  3. 20.13 ft on 04/16/2001
  4. 19.17 ft on 04/18/1952
  5. 19.06 ft on 04/16/1951
 
flooding image
Lake Pepin
(Photo by WIDNR)		 Flooding image
Lake Pepin
(Photo by WIDNR)		    

 

WabashaPEAK CREST: 17.03 ft on April 25th
 
Wabasha hydrograph 2023 flooding
Flood Categories
Major Flood: 16 ft
Moderate Flood: 14 ft
Flood Stage: 12 ft
Action Stage: 10 ft
Historical Crests:
  1. 20.05 ft on 04/19/1965
  2. 18.22 ft on 04/16/2001
  3. 17.63 ft on 04/16/1969
  4. 17.03 ft on 04/25/2023
  5. 16.71 ft on 04/18/1992
 
flooding image at Wabasha
Wabasha, MN Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)		 Flooding image at Wabasha
Wabasha, MN Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)		 Flooding image at Wabasha
Wabasha, MN Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)		 Flooding image at Wabasha
Wabasha, MN Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)

 

AlmaPEAK CREST: 17.05 ft on April 25th
 
Alma hydrograph 2023 flooding
Flood Categories
Major Flood: 18 ft
Moderate Flood: 17 ft
Flood Stage: 16 ft
Action Stage: 11 ft
Historical Crests:
  1. 19.78 ft on 04/19/1965
  2. 18.15 ft on 04/16/2001
  3. 17.53 ft on 04/18/1969
  4. 17.05 ft on 04/25/2023
  5. 16.30 ft on 04/18/1952
 
flooding image alma
Lock & Dam 4 at Alma, WI
(Photo by WIDNR)		 Flooding image at alma
Alma, WI Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)		 Flooding image at alma
Alma, WI Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)		 Flooding image at alma
Alma, WI Apr 21st
(NWS La Crosse)

 

Minnesota CityPEAK CREST: 664.30 ft on April 25th
 
Minnesota City hydrograph 2023 flooding
Flood Categories
Major Flood: 665 ft
Moderate Flood: 662 ft
Flood Stage: 660 ft
Action Stage: 657 ft
Historical Crests:
  1. 667.85 ft on 04/19/1965
  2. 665.70 ft on 04/16/2001
  3. 665.45 ft on 04/11/1997
  4. 665.10 ft on 04/18/1969
  5. 664.30 ft on 04/25/2023
 
       

 

Winona Dam 5APEAK CREST: 660.51 ft on April 26th
 
Winona Dam 5 hydrograph 2023
Flood Categories
Major Flood: 661 ft
Moderate Flood: 659 ft
Flood Stage: 655 ft
Action Stage: 650 ft
Historical Crests:
  1. 663.35 ft on 04/19/1965
  2. 661.95 ft on 04/17/2001
  3. 661.60 ft on 04/11/1997
  4. 661.37 ft on 04/19/1969
  5. 660.51 ft on 04/26/2023
 
flooding image near Winona
Lock & Dam 5A Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)		 Flooding image near Winona
Near Dam 5A (Breezy Point Ln) Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)
Across from Winona, MN Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)		  

 

WinonaPEAK CREST: 18.81 ft on April 26th
 
Winona hydrograph 2023 flooding
Flood Categories
Major Flood: 18 ft
Moderate Flood: 15 ft
Flood Stage: 13 ft
Action Stage: 11 ft
Historical Crests:
  1. 20.77 ft on 04/19/1965
  2. 20.07 ft on 04/17/2001
  3. 19.44 ft on 04/19/1969
  4. 18.81 ft on 04/26/2023
  5. 18.30 ft on 04/11/1997
 
Flooding image near Winona
Near Winona, MN Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)		 Flooding image near Winona
Near Winona, MN Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)		 Flooding image near Winona
Near Winona, MN Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)		 Flooding image in Winona
Winona, MN Apr 25th
(Photo by Winona Co. Emerg.Mgmt)

 

TrempealeauPEAK CREST: 651.01 ft on April 25th
 
Trempealeau hydrograph 2023 flooding
Flood Categories
Major Flood: 651 ft
Moderate Flood: 649 ft
Flood Stage: 647 ft
Action Stage: 644 ft
Historical Crests:
  1. 653.02 ft on 04/21/1965
  2. 651.43 ft on 04/18/2001
  3. 651.40 ft on 04/11/1997
  4. 651.01 ft on 04/25/2023
  5. 650.80 ft on 04/19/1969
 
flooding image
Lock & Dam 6 Trempealeau
(Photo by WIDNR)		 Flooding image
Near Trempealeau, WI
(Photo by WIDNR)		 Flooding image
Near Trempealeau, WI
(Photo by WIDNR)		 Flooding image
Near Trempealeau, WI
(Photo by WIDNR)

 

 

La CrescentPEAK CREST: 644.77 ft on April 26th
 
La Crescent hydrograph 2023 flooding
Flood Categories
Major Flood: 645 ft
Moderate Flood: 643 ft
Flood Stage: 641 ft
Action Stage: 638 ft
Historical Crests:
  1. 647.38 ft on 04/21/1965
  2. 645.20 ft on 04/18/2001
  3. 644.87 ft on 04/20/1969
  4. 644.77 ft on 04/26/2023
  5. 644.30 ft on 04/20/1952
 
flooding image at LaCrescent
Lock & Dam 7 at Dresbach/La Crescent, MN
(Photo by WIDNR)		 flooding image at LaCrescent
La Crescent, MN Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)		 flooding image at LaCrescent
La Crescent, MN Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)		 flooding image at LaCrescent
Near La Crescent, MN Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)

 

La CrossePEAK CREST: 15.89 ft on April 26th
 
La Crosse hydrograph 2023 flooding
Flood Categories
Major Flood: 15.5 ft
Moderate Flood: 13 ft
Flood Stage: 12 ft
Action Stage: 10 ft
Historical Crests:
  1. 17.89 ft on 04/22/1965
  2. 16.41 ft on 04/18/2001
  3. 15.89 ft on 04/26/2023
  4. 15.70 ft on 04/20/1969
  5. 15.30 ft on 04/20/1952
 
flooding image
La Crosse, WI Apr 26th 
(Photo by WIDNR)		 Flooding image
La Crosse, WI Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)		 Flooding image
La Crosse, WI Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)		 Flooding image
La Crosse, WI Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)

 

GenoaPEAK CREST: 635.72 ft on April 27th
 
Genoa hydrograph 2023 flooding
Flood Categories
Major Flood: 635 ft
Moderate Flood: 634 ft
Flood Stage: 631 ft
Action Stage: 625.2 ft
Historical Crests:
  1. 638.40 ft on 04/22/1965
  2. 636.45 ft on 04/12/1997
  3. 636.21 ft on 04/18/2001
  4. 635.72 ft on 04/27/2023
  5. 635.24 ft on 04/20/1969
 
flooding image at Genoa
Lock & Dam 8 Genoa, WI
(Photo by WIDNR)		 Flooding image at Genoa
Genoa, WI Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)		 Flooding image at Genoa
South of Genoa, WI Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)		 Flooding image at Genoa
Stoddard, WI Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)

 

LansingPEAK CREST: 19.61 ft on April 28th
 
Lansing hydrograph 2023 flooding
Flood Categories
Major Flood: 20 ft
Moderate Flood: 19 ft
Flood Stage: 17 ft
Action Stage: 12 ft
Historical Crests:
  1. 22.50 ft on 04/24/1965
  2. 19.93 ft on 04/21/2001
  3. 19.90 ft on 06/20/1880
  4. 19.61 ft on 04/28/2023
  5. 18.88 ft on 04/22/1969
 
flooding image at lansing
Lansing, IA Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)		 Flooding image at lansing
Lansing, IA Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)		    

 

LynxvillePEAK CREST: 630.26 ft on April 27th
 
Lynxville hydrograph 2023 flooding
Flood Categories
Major Flood: 631 ft
Moderate Flood: 628 ft
Flood Stage: 625 ft
Action Stage: 620 ft
Historical Crests:
  1. 633.16 ft on 04/24/1965
  2. 631.22 ft on 04/21/2001
  3. 631.05 ft on 04/14/1997
  4. 630.26 ft on 04/27/2023
  5. 629.42 ft on 04/22/1969
 
flooding image
Frenchman's Landing Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)		 Flooding image
Frenchman's Landing Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)		 Flooding image
Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)		 Flooding image
Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)

 

McGregorPEAK CREST: 22.91 ft on April 28th
 
McGregor hydrograph 2023 flooding
Flood Categories
Major Flood: 22 ft
Moderate Flood: 19 ft
Flood Stage: 16 ft
Action Stage: 13 ft
Historical Crests:
  1. 25.38 ft on 04/24/1965
  2. 23.75 ft on 04/20/2001
  3. 22.91 ft on 04/28/2023
  4. 21.98 ft on 06/29/1993
  5. 21.75 ft on 04/26/2019
 
flooding image at Marquette
Marquette, IA Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)		 Flooding image at Prairie du Chien
Prairie du Chien, WI Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)		 Flooding image at Prairie du Chien
Prairie du Chien, WI Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)		 Flooding image at Prairie du Chien
Prairie du Chien, WI Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)
GuttenbergPEAK CREST: 20.98 ft on April 28th
 
Guttenberg hydrograph 2023 flooding
Flood Categories
Major Flood: 21 ft
Moderate Flood: 18 ft
Flood Stage: 15 ft
Action Stage: 12 ft
Historical Crests:
  1. 23.65 ft on 04/24/1965
  2. 21.68 ft on 04/21/2001
  3. 20.98 ft on 04/28/2023
  4. 20.15 ft on 06/30/1993
  5. 19.98 ft on 04/27/2019
 
flooding image at guttenberg
Lock & Dam 10 at Guttenberg, IA
(Photo by WIDNR)		 Flooding image at guttenberg
Near Guttenberg, IA Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)		 Flooding image at guttenberg
Near Guttenberg, IA Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)		 Flooding image at guttenberg
Near Guttenberg, IA Apr 26th
(Photo by WIDNR)

Photos

Alma

alma flooding alma flooding apr 21 alma flooding apr 21 alma flooding apr 21
April 21st
(NWS La Crosse)		 April 21st
(NWS La Crosse)		 April 21st
(NWS La Crosse)		 April 21st
(NWS La Crosse)
Alma flooding april 28th Alma flooding april 28th Alma flooding april 28th Alma flooding april 28th
April 29th
(NWS La Crosse)		 April 29th
(NWS La Crosse)		 Lock & Dam 4 at Alma
(NWS La Crosse)		 April 29th
(NWS La Crosse)

 

La Crosse Area

La Crosse flooding April 20th La Crosse Flooding april 20th La Crosse Flooding April 20th La Crosse Flooding April 20th
Riverside Park April 20th
(NWS La Crosse)		 Pettibone Park April 20th
(NWS La Crosse)		 Historic River Gage April 21st
(NWS La Crosse)		 Riverside Park April 20th
(NWS La Crosse)
La Crosse Flooding on April 21st La Crosse Flooding on April 21st La Crosse Flooding on April 21st La Crosse Flooding on April 21st
Riverside Park April 21st
(NWS La Crosse)		 Riverside Park April 21st
(NWS La Crosse)		 Riverside Park April 21st
(NWS La Crosse)		 Green Island Park April 21st
(NWS La Crosse)
La Crosse flooding on April 23rd La Crosse flooding on April 23rd La Crosse flooding on April 23rd La Crosse flooding on April 23rd
Riverside Park April 23rd
(NWS La Crosse)		 Riverside Park April 23rd
(NWS La Crosse)		 Riverside Park April 23rd
(NWS La Crosse)		 Riverside Park April 23rd
(NWS La Crosse)
La Crosse flooding on April 23rd La Crosse flooding on April 23rd La Crosse flooding on April 23rd La Crosse flooding on April 23rd
Riverside Park April 23rd
(NWS La Crosse)		 Historic River Gage April 23rd
(NWS La Crosse)		 Riverside Park April 23rd
(NWS La Crosse)		 Copeland Park April 23rd
(NWS La Crosse)
La Crosse flooding on April 23rd La Crosse flooding on April 23rd La Crosse flooding on April 23rd La Crosse flooding on April 23rd
Copeland Park April 23rd
(NWS La Crosse)		 Copeland Park April 23rd
(NWS La Crosse)		 Copeland Park April 23rd
(NWS La Crosse)		 Copeland Park April 23rd
(NWS La Crosse)
La Crosse flooding April 24th La Crosse flooding April 24th La Crosse flooding April 24th La Crosse flooding April 26th
Copeland Park April 24th
(source)		 Trempealeau, WI April 24th
(NWS La Crosse)		 Copeland Park April 24th
(Photo by La Crosse Tribune)		 Riverside Park April 26th
(NWS La Crosse)
La Crosse flooding April 26th La Crosse flooding April 26th La Crosse flooding April 26th La Crosse flooding April 26th
Riverside Park April 26th
(NWS La Crosse)		 Riverside Park April 26th
(NWS La Crosse)		 Riverside Park April 26th
(NWS La Crosse)		 Riverside Park April 26th
(NWS La Crosse)
La Crosse flooding April 26th La Crosse flooding April 26th Photo Photo
Riverside Park April 26th
(NWS La Crosse)		 Riverside Park April 26th
(NWS La Crosse)		 Caption
(source)		 Caption
(source)

 

Lansing, IA

Lansing flooding April 24 Lansing flooding April 24 Lansing flooding April 24 Lansing flooding April 24
Apr 24th
(NWS La Crosse)		 Apr 24th
(NWS La Crosse)		 Apr 24th
(NWS La Crosse)		 Apr 24th
(NWS La Crosse)

 

Prairie du Chien, WI

Prairie du Chien flooding in 2023 Prairie du Chien flooding in 2023 Prairie du Chien flooding in 2023 Prairie du Chien flooding in 2023
Apr 24th
(NWS La Crosse)		 Apr 24th
(NWS La Crosse)		 Apr 24th
(NWS La Crosse)		 Apr 24th
(NWS La Crosse)
Prairie du Chien flooding in 2023 Prairie du Chien flooding in 2023 Prairie du Chien flooding in 2023 Prairie du Chien flooding in 2023
Apr 24th
(NWS La Crosse)		 Apr 24th
(NWS La Crosse)		 Apr 24th
(NWS La Crosse)		 Apr 24th
(NWS La Crosse)
Prairie du Chien flooding in 2023 Prairie du Chien flooding in 2023    
Apr 24th
(NWS La Crosse)		 Apr 24th
(NWS La Crosse)		    

 

Others

Cassville flooding April 21st South of Desoto flooding South of Harpers Ferry, IA flooding South of Harpers Ferry, IA flooding
Cassville, WI Riverside Park Apr 21st
(source)		 South of Desoto, WI Apr 24th
(NWS La Crosse)		 Harpers Ferry, IA Apr 24th 
(NWS La Crosse)		 Harpers Ferry, IA Apr 24th
(NWS La Crosse)
Marquette flooding Apr 24 Marquette flooding Apr 24 Photo Photo
Marquette, IA Apr 24th
(NWS La Crosse)		 Marquette, IA Apr 24th
(NWS La Crosse)		 Caption
(source)		 Caption
(source)

 

Wauzeka, WI on the Kickapoo, River

Wauzeka, WI flooding April 24th Wauzeka, WI flooding April 24th Wauzeka, WI flooding April 24th Wauzeka, WI flooding April 24th
Apr 24th
(NWS La Crosse)		  Apr 24th
(NWS La Crosse)		 Apr 24th
(NWS La Crosse)		 Boydtown Cemetery Apr 24th
(NWS La Crosse)

 

Why did the water level get so high?

Why was the flooding so high along the Mississippi River in 2023? The main drivers were the unseasonably deep snowpack across northern parts of the region - coupled with the rapid warm-up that led to swift melting.
  • Abnormally deep snowpack across the headwaters of the Mississippi River as well as other major river basins (Minnesota, St. Croix, Chippewa, Wisconsin) that feed into the mainstem of the Mississippi River; this snowpack contained approximately 4-8 inches of liquid equivalent.
  • Colder than normal March limited early, gradual melting of the snowpack, keeping it longer into spring when it becomes more susceptible to rapid warm-ups and melting.
  • An unusually warm (4 to 9°F warmer-than-normal)first half of April resulted in RAPID snowmelt into river systems that feedinto the Mississippi River.
  • An unusually wet April likely helped increase the height of the crest. Through April 22, precipitation anomalies ranged near normal to 4" above normal in the basins that flow into the Upper Mississippi River. The largest anomalies were found in the Black River in Wisconsin, and Minnesota Basin in Minnesota.
National Water Center's Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) Flight Analyses
April 1st April 5th April 10th April 15th
snow water equivalent april 1st snow water equivalent april 5th snow water equivalent april 10h snow water equivalent april 15h
 
National Water Center's Snow Depth
April 1th April 5th April 10th April 15th
snow depth april 1st snow depth april 5th snow depth april 10th snow depth april 15th

 

Historic Floods

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