With one eye on the sky and one on the state’s rivers, flood forecasters are on the lookout for a messy spring.

“A wet fall and heavy winter snow indicate a potential for flooding in the Twin Cities and across Minnesota,” stated a press release from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

That could include the potential closure of the Highway 41 bridge just south of downtown Chaska. According to the National Weather Service’s spring flood outlook, there is a 72 percent chance that the Minnesota River will encroach on Highway 41, and a 95 percent chance it will inundate Highway 101 in Shakopee.

The river crossing last closed due to flooding in April 2001. Back then, the Minnesota River rose to its third highest level of the century, peaking at 14.27 feet above flood stage, and leaving the roadway out of commission for nearly a month.

Using National Weather Service data for Jordan (the nearest measuring station) there is currently a 90 percent chance that the river will reach 6.4 feet above flood stage, requiring closure of the Chaska’s three flood gates.

Chaska city officials are confident that the levees will be able handle this year’s potential high water.  “The city is in excellent shape since we did the flood control project,” said City Engineer Bill Monk.

However, at 6.4 feet above flood stage, the water is well on its way to reaching the Athletic Park grandstand.

 “We have enough snow, depending on how it melts, it could go into Athletic Park,” said Monk. “If it all melts slowly, it’s not an issue. If it melts all at once like last year, we could have a problem.

“We can’t do anything to protect the field,” he added.

“There are so many variables, it’s hard to predict what’s going to happen,” said Public Works Superintendent Tim Wiebe. “It’s way too early in the game.”

Wiebe said that his department is used to flood talk in the spring. For awhile, the city was on a four-year flood cycle with the river sogging Athletic Park in 1993, 1997 and 2001.

“The city is fortunate with our levee system and the flood control project,” said Wiebe. “I feel real confident in our system.”

-Mollee Francisco, staff writer