Rain ends but water levels still rising in local rivers

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Flooding concerns at Baugo Creek in Elkhart County

Water levels have been slowly going up in many locations in and around Baugo Creek in Elkhart County. (WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Jan 9, 2008 at 7:47 AM EST

Story Updated: Jan 9, 2008 at 9:39 AM EST

SOUTH BEND — The rain has stopped, but local rivers are a major point of concern for street crews, drivers and homeowners. That’s because water levels haven’t stopped rising.

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Northside Boulevard in South Bend remained closed Wednesday morning. It was hard to tell where the river ended and the street began. Street crews estimated the middle of the road was under at least a foot of water.

“We just kind of maintain the river rising,” explained South Bend Traffic & Lighting manager Mark Horvath. “Backstream – Mishawaka, Elkhart – if they raise some of the dam up a little bit and let some of the headstream off, we may get a little bit more rise in the river.”

Street crews are asking people not to drive through water. Horvath told WSBT the street department is doing the best it can to keep people off roads, and keep flooded roads closed.

“We’re going to work 24/7 on potholes. When you have water like this sitting on the roads, it tends to sink in. Then you get a little freeze and thaw, then we’ll start popping potholes.”

Horvath also said he’s seen worse flooding in South Bend.

“Back in the snowstorm of ’78 when it thawed and we had a little bit of rain, it got a little higher. People actually had boats tied to their porches. It’s been worse but I don’t think it’s going to get nearly that bad.”

The St. Joseph River is expected to crest sometime Thursday.

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