History of Flooding in Wisconsin

We have had floods as long as there have been rivers. But not until we began to develop our floodplains did floods become a significant threat to our lives and property.

Here we present some of the most significant floods in Wisconsin´s history.

Darlington

(Excerpt from City of Darlington Publication)

The City of Darlington is located in the Southwestern Uplands geographical province of Wisconsin in the center of Lafayette County. This part of Wisconsin is noted for rugged hills and many ridges and valleys. Darlington is the County Seat, first settled in the 1850's as a main commercial point along an early route between Galena, Illinois and Mineral Point, Wisconsin. The City had a population of 2235 in 1990.

The City sustained serious damage from flooding in 1990, 1993 and 1994.

The June 1990 flood event

Most of the flood damage in Darlington was caused by riverine flooding. Flood damage included washed out bridges and roads, crop damage, damage to businesses and homes, debris build-up in streams, downed trees, power outages and damage to two regional hiking trails (Tri-County and Pecatonica River). Flood waters forced the closure of all major transportation routes into the city and several high ground portions of Darlington were completely surrounded by flood waters. Approximately 30 businesses were damaged in Darlington's business district. Several downtown residents were evacuated by motorboat. The City's Fire Station was flooded and cut off from half the City and several surrounding townships. Stormwater infiltration into the City's sanitary sewer system and lift station resulted in the flow of untreated sewage directly into the River. In addition, several homes experienced basement sewer back-ups.

The most heavily damaged area was the land between Washington Street and Wells Street, and Ann Street and the Pecatonica River. Flood levels in approximately 30 buildings varied from basement flooding to water 3.5 - 4 feet above the first floor. Flood damage in Lafayette County was estimated to be more than $2.8 million. Lafayette County was included under Presidential Disaster Declaration FEMA-DR-874-Wisconsin as part of the Pecatonica River Flood.

The July 1993 flood event

The July 1993 flood event saw the Pecatonica River overrun its banks, cresting at 18.6 feet on Tuesday, July 16. The River rose approximately 4.5 feet above floodstage and caused approximately $350,000 in damage to stores in the downtown area. Crop losses around Darlington were also severe. Lafayette County was included under Presidential Disaster Declaration FEMA-DR-994-Wisconsin.

Rebuilding a City

Realizing that history could repeat itself, the City embarked on an ambitious program to both floodproof certain existing buildings as well as implement a mitigation program which would acquire properties located in the floodplain and relocate the businesses on those properties to areas within the city that are less flood-prone.

This project was made possible by assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Southwest Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, Wisconsin Department of Commerce, Wisconsin State Historical Society, Wisconsin Emergency Management, affected property owners, local businesses, and numerous engineering consultants. This effort will help to ensure that future flood events along the Pecatonica River will not cause the same level of damage and disruption to the City as did the 1990 and 1993 floods.

Mississippi River - 1993

(Portions excerpted from WDNR publication "The Floods of 1993")

The mighty Mississippi. Inspiration to Mark Twain and engine behind much of the economic development of the midwest. In spite of its many locks and dams, the Mississippi still occassionally shrugs off the fetters of engineering know-how and reveals the wild heart which still beats within.

The flooding in the Upper Mississipi River Basin ranged from a 10-year event at Prescott to a 30-year event at Lock and Dam #11. Spring flooding was predicted in the National Weather Service Spring Flood Outlook Issued on March 26, 1993:

The outlook advises that with present snow melt alone there is minor to moderate flood potential on the Mississippi River Basin tributaries and mainstem, as well as in the Great Lakes drainage basin. The potential could become moderate to major if above normal precipitation is received in the remainder of the melt period."

This warning proved prophetic as upper air currents stalled over the Upper Mississippi drainage basin, producing from 125% to 200% more rainfall than normal over portions of Minnesota and Wisconsin from January through July 1993.

The combination of saturated soil conditions and above-average June rainfall resulted in flooding. The rainfall of June 17-18 caused flood flows along the Upper Mississippi equivalent to 10-40 year occurrence intervals. The highest stage elevations were recorded from June 25 to July 1, 1993.

We want to hear from you!

If you have historical photos or stories of historical floods in your county, please email them to Gary Heinrichs, Floodplain Planning Program Manager, (608) 266-3093.

Major National Floods during the 20th Century

The USGS [exit DNR] maintains documentation for some of the major floods of the 20th century.