Minnesotans wanting to float down a river during the four-day Independence Day weekend will have to contend with flooding and high river levels throughout the state.
The state Department of Natural Resources (DNR ) on Wednesday listed river levels as "Very High" for several popular recreational waterways, including the Cannon, Root, Zumbro and St. Louis rivers, and parts of the St. Croix and Mississippi. More rain was expected on Thursday and Friday.
"Very High" translates to swift, unsafe conditions for kayaking, canoeing and tubing. Many rental outfitters on those rivers have closed or are taking a wait-and-see approach to the holiday weekend.
On the Mississippi River in the Twin Cities area, the Mississippi River Paddle Share routes between Brooklyn Center and Minneapolis, as well as in Lilydale Regional Park, are closed with bookings unavailable until at least Saturday.
The Cannon River south of the metro has been closed for weeks, including the popular kayaking, canoeing and tubing trips out of Welch Mill and Cannon Falls. On the bright side, the 20-mile Cannon Valley Trail has reopened between Cannon Falls and Red Wing, offering cyclists full views of the engorged river.
In Lanesboro, Root River Outfitters has shut down its kayak, canoe and tubing trips on the Root on a day-to-day basis, with "hopes of opening for the 4th," according to its Facebook page. Boulder Dam Canoe and Kayak Rental on the Zumbro River In Oronoco is closed until Saturday, according to its website.
What's open?
Although Stillwater is reeling from flooding on the St. Croix River, tours and rentals 30 miles upstream in Taylors Falls were open for business, saying they were unaffected. That includes Taylor Falls Canoe and Kayak Rental and Taylors Falls Scenic Boat Tours out of Interstate State Park.
Some whitewater rafting companies, which require higher skill levels, are undaunted by the conditions. Sweetwater Adventures on the "Very High" St. Louis River near Duluth had plenty of tours available for the weekend, and Hard Water Sports in Sandstone was taking reservations for Kettle River trips.
The Kettle River is almost unique in Minnesota now for having "Low" or "Scrapable" levels in the DNR listing — though it's maintaining "Medium" levels for the rafting trips near Sandstone.
If you're planning a river excursion, always check the DNR's river levels site to be safe, and contact your outfitter of choice for information and advice.
