Boscobel was spared, but residents living along the Kickapoo River from Ontario to Steuben have been devastated by flooding last week and through the weekend as rains continued to fall. 

Severe flooding was reported along the Kickapoo River at Gays Mills, La Farge, Steuben, Viola, and Readstown and along the Baraboo River at Reedsburg, La Valle, Rock Springs and Baraboo.

Numerous roads were closed during that time and as water levels rise once more as of press time in Crawford County WIS 131 was closed from US 60 to US 61 at Soldiers Grove with no detour, WIS 171 between WIS 27 (Mount Sterling) to US 61 at Rolling Ground was closed, this included the Gays Mills 171 dam bridge which had water over the top of it yesterday morning following heavy rains Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. WIS 179 was closed from WIS 27 at Eastman to WIS 131 at Steuben with no detour, as well as WIS 35 at Prairie du Chien north to WIS 171.

In Vernon County, WIS 131 was closed between Ontario and Rockton and WIS 131 was closed from County S to Viola, with no detour available as well as countless low-lying back roads which snake about the counties.

Since last Tuesday when the water began to rise, many had taken to Facebook to help direct others to safety on the roadways.

At an official capacity, the website 511wi.gov has been available for current road closure information, however it seemed hard for them to keep up with the nearly instantaneous coverage from citizens with cell phones, out on the roads traveling, taking photos and providing updates for every turn.

It seems two of the main the culprits of this catastrophic flooding, besides heavy rains, would be the failure of Vernon County’s Jersey Valley and Mlsna dams.

For the complete story please see the September 6 issue of the Boscobel Dial.