A surge in water levels by midday is expected in Austin today.

Thursday, April 05, 2001

A surge in water levels by midday is expected in Austin today.

Capt. Curt Rude of the Austin Police Department said officers are monitoring the levels of Turtle Creek, Cedar River and Dobbins Creek on an hourly basis.

"If we get lots of rain today north of town in the Blooming Prairie and Hollandale areas, that’s what we’re concerned about," Rude said.

At this time, Turtle Creek is in the APD’s "low-grade warning" level.

Turtle Creek’s level was 6.2 feet at 4:46 a.m., 6.3 feet at 6:42 a.m. and 6.2 feet at 8:38 a.m. today, according to readings taken beneath the Oakland Avenue West bridge,

Meanwhile across town, readings taken at the city’s wastewater treatment plant were 11.8 feet at 4:46 a.m., 12.1 feet at 6:42 a.m. and 12.3 feet at 8:38 a.m. today.

The flood warning level at the wastewater treatment plant is 13 feet.

Dobbins Creek’s flood warning level is reached when the waters rise to the 2-foot level.

The National Weather Service at LaCrosse, Wis., uses the 2-year-old electronic sensors at Moscow, Hollandale, Lansing and the 21st Street NE bridge near the J.C. Hormel Nature Center.

"When the waters reach flood stage levels, the sensors automatically send a signal to a satellite in the skies overhead and another signal is bounced back to earth and relayed automatically to the law enforcement center dispatchers," Rude said.

Mid-morning thunderstorms are expected to create flood concerns. In addition, the NWS continues to forecast more rain and hail this afternoon.

On Wednesday afternoon, Dreisner Park across from Queen of Angels Catholic Church along Oakland Avenue East was flooded when waters from the Cedar River went over its banks.