spring runoff

Flooding is expected in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness near Ely on Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

A flood advisory is in effect until 3:45 p.m.

The U.S. Forest Service warned visitors in an online alert that flood levels will be similar to or higher than floods in spring of 2022 and June 2024. Areas near Basswood Lake and Lac La Croix should prepare for “peak flows” this week, the service said.

The weather service said people should expect “high, fast, and incredibly cold water” to cause flooding that could affect campsites and trails.

Cory Rothstein, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Duluth, said the flooding is due to snow melt and rain in late April and early May.

“That water has been slowly working its way through the eastern boundary headwaters area,” he said. “Now it’s starting to push the peak of that flood wave through Basswood Lake and on towards Lac La Croix.”

Rothstein said the weather service will be evaluating whether to extend the flood advisory throughout Monday.

Near-critical fire weather conditions are also possible on May 11. The weather service said the low humidity in the afternoon and early evening could increase the risk of fires. Thunderstorms are predicted to roll in on Monday night.

ELY — A National Weather Service flood warning was in effect for the South Kawishiwi River near Ely on Thursday, with high water affecting the White Iron Chain of Lakes and dozens of lakes and rivers throughout the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
The warning, issued by the NWS office in Duluth, cites a combination of recent heavy rains and late-season snowmelt as the drivers behind water levels that are running near or above those seen during the significant flood events of spring 2022 and June 2024. The South Kawishiwi River near Ely was gauged at 6.9 feet, well above the 5.5-foot bankfull stage at which water begins spilling into surrounding areas.
White Iron Lake is among the named locations experiencing elevated water levels, along with Fall, Snowbank, Basswood, Sea Gull, Saganaga, Ensign, Disappointment, and Lac La Croix. The NWS noted that high, fast-moving water is pushing through the Kawishiwi, Isabella, and Basswood rivers, and that lake levels across the BWCAW are broadly elevated

throw the overnight rainfall in for good measure-- 2nd one is zoomed in. Totals through 5:22 and 5:28am respectively..

This is crazy. It's been near this level for several weeks now. The longevity of this event is something I can't remember.

Incredible. thanks for the share.