The flood is officially over. Between Monday night and Tuesday morning, the Minnesota River receded below flood stage, thus ending the spring flood of 2010.

Chaska Public Works Superintendent Tim Wiebe said that river reading was 17.65 feet as of Tuesday morning, almost a half foot below the 18-foot flood stage.

The river reached its crest of 29.90 feet on March 23 and has been slowly working its way back down ever since.

Highway 101 between Flying Cloud Drive and downtown Shakopee will reopen to traffic by the start of afternoon rush hour on Friday, April 16, according to a MnDOT press release.

The roadway has been closed since March 19. After the floodwater had abated, crews were able to maneuver heavy equipment into position and make repairs to the roadway’s shoulder, slope and the Highway 101 bridge abutments.

Commuters rejoice. Highway 41, south of downtown Chaska, has reopened to traffic.

As of about 2 p.m. Sunday, April 11, barriers had been removed and traffic was flowing up and down Chaska’s main thoroughfare.

Drivers can now go to and from Highway 169 without taking alternative crossings, such as the Bloomington Ferry Bridge.

Since March 19, traffic has been blocked, due to Minnesota floodwaters.

There is a chance Highway 41 in Chaska could reopen in time for Monday morning's commute.

According to a report from Scott County Emergency Management Director Chris Weldon, the state is making steady progress on fixing the damaged river crossing. Repairs on the shoulders are complete and crews are now concentrating on the slopes and pavement repairs.

The state had been estimating Highway 41 would repon Tuesday.

On Monday, commuters got the first piece of good news since the Minnesota River rose high enough to block roads last month.

After being closed for 19 days, the Carver County 11/Scott County 9 Minnesota River crossing near Jordan reopened to traffic at 3:30 p.m.

Soil boring tests conducted late Monday confirmed that Highway 41 has stabilized enough to carry heavy equipment, and repair work can begin, according to a MnDOT press release.

MnDOT estimates that it may reopen by April 13.

Water has receded from the road surface of Highway 101 between Shakopee and Chanhassen. However, the roadbed must drain and stabilize before repairs can be made.

By Mathias Baden

For drivers using the Scott County Road 9/Carver County Road 11 Minnesota River crossing, the long commutes end this afternoon.

According to a press release from Chaska Public Works Supervisor Tim Wiebe, the road opens at 3:30 p.m., today, April 5.

Earlier in the day, a Scott County Public Works crew was stationed near the Minnesota River, ready and waiting for the word from Carver County to remove the road-closed signs.

On the Minnesota River at Chaska, the reading this morning was 25.53 feet with a flood stage of 18 feet, according to the city of Chaska.