NORTH WEBSTER – Flooding on the Tippecanoe River from last week’s giant snowstorm has started.
The Tippecanoe River in North Webster crested Tuesday afternoon at 6.84 feet, while the flood stage for the North Webster gauge is six feet. When the Tippecanoe River at North Webster crested, it broke the previous record of 6.81 feet set on March 9, 2009, according to the Tippecanoe Watershed Foundation. As of this morning the water levels in North Webster were falling and the Tippecanoe River was at 6.67 feet. The water levels at Oswego have yet to crest and are currently rising. As of this morning the Tippecanoe River was at 8.39 feet and the flood stage for that gauge is 7.5 feet.
The National Weather Service in Syracuse expects the Tippecanoe River to crest in Oswego sometime today. The levels on the Tippecanoe River upstream have already crested which lets the NWS know that the levels downstream cannot be far behind.
Kosciusko County Emergency Management Director Ed Rock attributes part of the flooding to the fact that the dam at North Webster was opened.
“We have seen flooding on Tippy Lake around (EMS lane) T13,” Rock said. “When the dam is opened it will cause flooding, but it must be opened in order to release the pressure on the dam. If the pressure is not released then the water will back up and find other ways around the dam.”
Because of the flooding and future potential for flooding Rock has opened two sites as designated sand bag sites for the county. The first site is at the North Webster Community Center and the second is at the Kosciusko County Highway Department building on East Old Road 30.
“Anyone can come and fill bags,” Rock said. “If they want to come and fill bags they are invited to do so, just leave them for others to pick up. For those who need to make their own bags remember to bring your own shovel.”
Even though the water levels on the Tippecanoe River are expected to recede in the coming days Rock does not believe this is the end of the flooding.
“We still have huge amounts of water in the fields,” Rock said. “I anticipate that it will continue to back up into the Tippecanoe River as it makes its way out of the fields which will cause more flooding mild or severe.”
One thing that could help with the flooding situation for the time being is if a cold front comes through the region.
“If we have a good freeze that will lock up the current standing water in the fields,” Rock said.
