Apr 15, 2023
On April 12th, the Minnesota River at Ortonville surpassed flood stage, reaching a peak crest of 12.03 feet on April 16th. To maintain the flow between Big Stone Lake, the Whetstone River, and the Minnesota River, a backhoe was utilized at the flood barriers to prevent debris and ice from causing disruptions. The rising floodwaters posed a significant threat to numerous lakeside properties along Big Stone Lake, necessitating residents to engage in sandbagging efforts. Additionally, various agric
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 1091931). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.
This event is one of many recorded floods in Big Stone County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.