The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced on April 18 that the Wisconsin River at Portage reached a peak of 20.47 feet in the afternoon of April 17, coming close to its highest recorded level of 20.66 feet. The river has since receded to 19.9 feet but caused significant impacts in the area, including evacuations and road closures.
The flooding affected several sections of the Caledonia-Lewiston levee and led to the evacuation of residents from the Blackhawk neighborhood. Authorities also sandbagged a two-mile stretch along Interstate 39 at the Highway 33 exit as a precautionary measure. According to officials, Lake Road and parts of Blackhawk Road experienced some of the worst flooding, leaving many homes accessible only by boat.
In response to these conditions, Wisconsin Taskforce 1-Urban Search and Rescue (WI-TF1), based at Volk Field, was activated for swift water rescue operations. WI-TF1 evacuated one resident, contacted another 164 individuals in affected areas, and identified six blocked routes.
Due to prolonged floodwaters around homes, Columbia County Health and Human Services is offering well-water testing for impacted wells. Residents can find more information on Columbia County’s website or by calling local authorities for assistance.
A reception center remains open for those seeking help at Portage County City Hall until late afternoon or longer if needed; entry can be gained through coordination with emergency services.
According to the official website, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources supports outdoor recreation by managing state parks and wildlife areas across Wisconsin according to the official website. The agency also focuses on conserving natural resources for present and future generations according to its official site and facilitates public input through advisory councils as stated online. It is responsible for enforcing environmental laws statewide according to its mandate while providing hunting licenses and environmental permits as outlined on its site.
Officials continue monitoring water levels while assessing damage over coming days as recovery efforts proceed.
