Wisconsin River is running over its banks in Wisconsin Rapids

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. (WFHR / WIRI) – The Wisconsin River is overflowing several banks throughout the city of Wisconsin Rapids. Parks near the river are flooding and many walking and biking paths are closed for safety reasons. 

Mayor Matt Zacher tells WFHR Wisconsin Rapids is in a unique position with the dams above the city owned and operated by Consolidated Water Power Company (CWPCo) and the dams below owned and operated by Domtar.

“ And so more water comes through the Wisconsin Rapids Dam that can go through the Centralia Dam,” says Zacher. “So right here in Wisconsin Rapids, the city of, is where we have the impact of water spreading out and going into the parks. You know, and we do have higher walls in most places so that it’s able to fill up more…”

Zacher said the rain in the northern part of the state contributes to the amount of flooding we can expect here.

 ”If we get a downpour in Wisconsin Rapids within the hour it’s gone, it’s already down the river,” explains Zacher. “But if we’re dealing with torrential rain pours like we had north of here, then all that water has to come into the river from different tributaries and then get through the dams and get through our community.”

While the river isn’t as high this spring as it has been in the past couple of decades, Zacher said it still puts properties at risk.

“ It’s always a little bit scary just because water’s powerful when it comes out this fast, you know? And I know it’s hard because not only is it the water you can see, but it’s the water underground that gets full. It fills up the water table,” says Zacher. “So that’s when people, you know, close to the river are gonna be getting water in their basements because it’s coming up through the floor.”

Avoid scams with storm repairs

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) warns that Wisconsin consumers should use caution when seeking repairs after the natural disasters hitting communities across the state in recent weeks. They say transient crews known as “storm chasers” attempt to solicit business door-to-door. They may offer promises of quick and cheap fixes; however, these repair crews often provide poor quality work. In some cases, they ask for payment up-front, then provide no work at all. The DATCP recommends hiring established local contractors or asking trusted friends, neighbors, or insurance agents for recommendations.