Not much damage to Crawford County roads
Blacktop that floated over from the park in Soldiers Grove covers part of County C. Crawford County Highway Commissioner Dennis Pelock said there was very little damage to county roads. There might be a small amount of shoulder repairs required along with clearing the roads of mud and debris. (Photo by Dennis Pelock)
This is some of the damage to the park in Soldiers Grove caused by the recent record flood of the Kickapoo River. (Photo by Dennis Pelock)
The Kickapoo River over County S near Petersburg was raging Aug. 28 and Aug. 29. (Photo by Dennis Pelock)
Sam Groom enjoys floating on some calm flood water in Steuben Thursday afternoon. (Photo by Ted Pennekamp)
Some vehicles drive through water going over Highway 60 near the intersection with Highway 131 near Wauzeka Thursday afternoon. Highway 60 was later closed to traffic at this location. Highway Commissioner Dennis Pelock said the last time the Kickapoo River went over Highway 60 was in 2008. (Photo by Ted Pennekamp)
Unfortunately, water went over the sandbag wall at Jo's Kountry Bar in Steuben on Wednesday. This photo was taken Thursday. (Photo by Ted Pennekamp)
An elderly man is rescued from his vehicle by the Crawford County Swift Water Rescue Team on Highway 131 Wednesday, Aug. 29. The man had driven into flood waters. (Photo by Dennis Pelock)
By Ted Pennekamp
Crawford County roads did not sustain much damage, said Crawford County Highway Commissioner Dennis Pelock Thursday morning, Aug. 30.
“We did not get the flash floods that Vernon County got,” said Pelock while monitoring the rising water going over Highway 60 near Wauzeka Thursday. “Road wise, we’re in good shape. There are no major damages. There might be some shoulders we need to fix, along with mud and debris to be cleared from the roads.”
One place that will require debris removal is County C in Soldiers Grove where large chunks of blacktop from the park in Soldiers Grove broke loose and floated over to the road where it was deposited.
Pelock said there was water in numerous houses and businesses, even some of those that were raised in Soldiers Grove and Gays Mills after the flood of 2008.
He also said he put a mark on the bridge in Soldiers Grove when the river was at its highest to show where the true river crest was. He said the gauge in Soldiers Grove was underwater and couldn’t be read. Pelock said the river crest figure shown on the National Weather Service website may need to be adjusted higher than what has been shown for Soldiers Grove.
Pelock said a marker was also put in place to show how high the water was when it was flowing over Highway 60 near Wauzeka. He said surveyors on the nearby bridge would be able to sight in on the marker to help determine the river level.
“The river hasn’t flowed over Highway 60 since 2008,” said Pelock. The highway was eventually closed to traffic on Thursday afternoon near the intersection with Highway 131.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, two hydrologic technicians with the United States Geological Survey were in Steuben recording data with the use of a small, remote controlled, jet-powered boat that was sent out into the main current.
Water at Steuben filled the park and went over the sandbag wall at Jo’s Kountry Bar. Water also surrounded Lou’s Bar and other buildings in the area.
