La Crosse Parks, Recreation & Forestry monitoring river levels ahead of Riverfest

LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- Riverfest is a go, but the park is still flooded. Some parts of Riverside Park are completely submerged, but La Crosse Facilities and Marine Operations Manager Jim Flottmeyer isn't concerned.

"As long as it stays where it's projected to go at 14.9, it will stay out of the park and off the road for the most part. We got various places barricaded," Flottmeyer said.

The barricades are blocking access to the levies and closing off some of the sidewalks. There will be more security to make sure festivalgoers stay away from the water.

"People are curious. They want to get close to the water and we'd rather keep them away from it because the current is very swift right now," Flottmeyer said.

La Crosse Parks, Recreation & Forestry is also staying diligent about watching the water levels. Recently they've been paying attention to what goes under water at certain levels.

"This year we knew to be prepared with barricades and what had to be removed from certain areas, you know porter potties and dumpsters and stuff like that were going to go under water," Flottmeyer explained.

He says he hopes to see the water recede this week. He also says once it does, folks should expect to see docks, levies and sidewalks cleaned.

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