Mississippi River expected to crest in Twin Cities this week, parts of Harriet Island underwater

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Flooding continues to impact parts of Minnesota, including the metro. In St. Paul, crews are bracing for the full impact of the Mississippi River, which isn't expected to crest until Saturday.

"I'm just trying to go on a walk down here and realizing that, that isn't exactly and option," Christopher Porkosh said, looking at a flooded Harriet Island Regional Park.

Walking around the river might not be an option Tuesday, but with some detours, Michael Austin still made his daily cycle happen.

"I knew there was going to be flooding," Austin said. "I knew the trials were flooded, it just was the questions of how deep."

St. Paul city crews have been busy blocking off roadways, trails and sandbagging structures in the park. Monday night, the city closed Shepard/Warner Road, from Eagle Parkway to Highway 61 along with Harriet Island Pavilion.

Tuesday, the Mississippi River in St. Paul sat at 16.5 feet. It's expected to go up another four feet by Saturday.

"It's just crazy how much the water had gone up in five days," Melanie Walters said.

Harriet Island Regional Park isn't the only park with high water. In Shakopee, the Minnesota River is spilling in Valleyfair Amusement Park. The amusement park closed the Renegade, Excalibur and Thunder Canyon rides for the rest of the week due to flooding .

The Minnesota River is still rising too — and also expected to crest this weekend.

"We've had three years of drought," Austin said. "This is definitely breaking that cycle."

Still, for many in St. Paul, seeing the flood waters up close, came as a surprise Tuesday morning.

"I come down here, and it's a whole different world," Porkosh said.