Flood Plain Information on Mississippi River and Tributaries in Vicinity of La Crosse, Wisconsin / United States Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District

Federal Govt Documents (basement) D 103.47:L 11

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

DISTRICT, CORPS OF

ENGINEERS

FLOOD
PLAIN
INFORMATION
ON

MISSISSIPPI

RIVER

AND

TRIBUTARIES

IN VICINITY

LA CROSSE,

WISCONSIN

ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA
APRIL, 1970

ST. PAUL

CONTENTS
, . L

Introduction ........

Summary of Flood Situation ....

Past Floods .................

Mississippi River .............

Settlement.......

Flood Damage Prevention Measures . .

Flood Warning and Forecasting Services

The Stream and Its Valley ....

Developments in the Flood Plain . .

Bridges Across the Stream ...

Obstructions to Flood Flow .....

Flood Situation ......

Flood Records .........

Flood Stages and Discharges ...

Flood Occurrences .....

Duration and Rate of Rise ...

Velocities .......

Flooded Areas and Flood Profiles . . .

Flood Descriptions ...........

June 19, 1880 ............

April 19, 1951 ...

Page

0 0 0 0

a 0 0 0 0

* * * * * 0

* * * * *

CONTENTS (Continued)

Page
April 20, 1952................. 30

April 20, 1965 ..................31

April 20, 1969................ 41

La Crosse River ................. 44

The Stream and Its Valley ..... ...... 44

Developments in the Flood Plain ..........45

Bridges Across the Stream ... ........46

Obstructions to Flood Flow ............46

Flood Situation...... . ......50

Flood Records ..................50

Flood Stages and Discharges ..... .50

Flood Occurrences ..............50

Duration and Rate of Rise ............ 50

Velocities .. .......51

Flooded Areas, Flood Profiles, and Cross Sections .51

Flood Descriptions ...... . ....... . 52

August 8, 1935 ... . .............52

State Road and Ebner Coulees .. .....55

The Streams and Their Valleys ...........55

Developments in the Flood Plains. . ...... 57

Bridges Across the Streams ...........57

Obstructions to Flood Flow ....

. . . . . . . . 58

CONTENTS (Continued)

Flood Situation ...................

Flood Records and Occurrences .........

Duration and Rate of Rise .............

Velocities ..... . . . . .....

Flooded Areas .................

Flood Descriptions .................

Future Floods ....................

Determination of Intermediate Regional Floods ......

Determination of Standard Project Floods .......

Frequency .. . .. . .... . . .. . .. . . ..

Possible Larger Floods ...............

Hazards of Great Floods ................

Areas Flooded and Heights of Flooding ........

Velocities, Rate of Rise, and Duration .... ..

Glossary of Terms ....................

Pa ge

Authority, Acknowledgments, and Interpretation of Data

TABLES

Table Page

1 Relative Flood Heights . .......... 6

2 Drainage Areas in Watershed of Mississippi
River 17

3 Bridges Across Mississippi and Black Rivers . . . 20

4 Mississippi River at La Crosse, Wisconsin
--Flood Crest Elevations Above Bankfull
Stage--1873-1969........ 26

5 Highest Ten Known Floods in Order of Magnitude--
Mississippi River at La Crosse, Wisconsin . 27

6 Drainage Areas in Watershed of La Crosse River. . 45

7 Bridges Across La Crosse River..... . 47

8 Drainage Areas in Watershed of State Road and
Ebner Coulees ... 56

9 Bridges Across State Road and Ebner Coulees . . . 58

10 Maximum Known Flood Discharges on Streams in
the Region of La Crosse, Wisconsin.... 63

11 Intermediate Regional Floods--Peak Discharges . . 64

12 Standard Project Floods--Peak Discharges .... 65

13 Intermediate Regional Floods--Maximum Velocities. 67

14 Standard Project Floods--Maximum Velocities . . . 74

15 Intermediate Regional Floods--Rate of Rise and
Duration.......... 75

16 Standard Project Floods--Rate of Rise and Duration. 75

PLATES

Plate Follows Page

1 Watershed Map--Mississippi River and
Tributaries--Vicinity of La Crosse,
Wisconsin .. 16

2 Floods Above Bankfull Stage--Mississippi
River--At La Crosse, Wisconsin .. . 28

3 Stage Hydrographs--Mississippi River--
At La Crosse, Wisconsin .. 28

4 Index Map-- Flooded Areas--Mississippi
River and Tributaries--Vicinity of La
Crosse, Wisconsin . .... 79

5-:10 Flooded Areas--Misssissippi River and
Tributaries--Vicinity of La Crosse,
Wisconsin ............. . 79

11 High Water Profiles--Mississippi River--
Vicinity of La Crosse, Wisconsin.... 79

12 High Water Profiles- -La Crosse River and
Black River--Vicinity of La Crosse,
Wisconsin ...... . . 79

13-16 Cross Sections--La Crosse River--Vicinity
of La Crosse, Wisconsin 79

FIGURES

Figure Page

1-2 Mississippi River Bridges........ 21-22

3-6 Flood Scenes in La Crosse--April 1965. . . 33-36

7 Flood Scenes in La Crosse--April 1969... 42

8-9 La Crosse River Bridges .48-49

FIGURES (Continued)

Flood Heights

Flood Heights
Street. .

Flood Heights

at Stephens Restaurant * *

at D. S. Electric Supply. . .

at Holiday Inn ..........

at W. A. Roosevelt Building . .

at Riverside Park ....

at Fish Control Laboratory ....

at Seven-Up Bottling Company. . .

at Lakeshore Drive and Kime Street

at Causeway Boulevard and Sumner

Along U. S. Highway 53 ...

Along Lang Drive. ...

at Wood and St. James Streets. .

at Continental Can Company ....

Figure

Page

INTRODUCTION

This report relates to the flood situation along the Mis-
sissippi River and its tributaries in the vicinity of La Crosse, Wis-
consin. Prepared at the request of the City Council of the City of
La Crosse through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources,
this document will aid in the solution of local flood problems and in
the best utilization of land subject to overflow. The report is based
upon information on rainfall, runoff, historical and current flood
heights, and other technical data bearing upon the occurrence and
size of floods in the La Crosse area.
Two significant phases of the La Crosse flood problem
are covered in the report. First, records of the largest known floods
of the past on the Mississippi River, and its tributaries are brought to-
gether. Secondly, probable future floods designated as Intermediate
Regional Floods and Standard Project Floods are analyzed. Inter-
mediate Regional Floods have an average frequency of occurrence on
the order of once in 100 years as determined from an analysis of
known floods on the Mississippi River and its tributaries with con-
sideration given other streams which have similar physical charac-
teristics and are in the same general geographic region. Standard
Project Floods are of rare occurrence and on most streams are con-
siderably larger than any floods that have occurred in the past.
In problems concerned with the control of developments
in the flood plains of the Mississippi River and its tributaries, and
in reaching decisions on the size of floods to consider for this pur-
pose, appropriate consideration should be given to the possible fu-
ture occurrence of floods of the size of those that have occurred in
the past, the Intermediate Regional Floods and the Standard Project
Floods.
The report contains maps, profiles and cross sections
which indicate the extent of flooding which has been experienced and

which might occur in the future in the vicinity of La Crosse. This
should prove helpful in planning the best use of the flood plains.
From the maps, profiles and cross sections, the depth of probable
flooding, either by recurrence of the largest known floods or by oc-
currence of the Intermediate Regional or Standard Project Floods,
may be determined at any location. With this information, floor
levels for buildings may be planned high enough to avoid flood dam-
age, or, if at lower elevations, with recognition of the chance and
hazards of possible flooding.
Plans for the solution of flood problems are not included
herein. Rather the report is intended to provide the basis for fur-
ther study and planning on the part of the City of La Crosse in ar-
riving at solutions to minimize vulnerability to flood damages. This
might involve local planning programs for controlling the type of use
made of the flood plain through zoning and subdivision regulations,
the construction of flood protection works, or a combination of the
two approaches.
The St. Paul District of the Corps of Engineers will pro-
vide, upon request, technical assistance to federal, state and local
agencies in the interpretation and use of the information contained
herein.

SUMMARY OF FLOOD SITUATION

The City of La Crosse, Wisconsin is located in La Crosse
County, on the east bank of the Mississippi River. Several river is-
lands in the vicinity of La Crosse are experiencing residential devel-
opment and some commercial and industrial growth. French Island
is of considerable size and is divided from the mainland by a portion
of the Mississippi River known as the Black River.
A major tributary to the Mississippi River is the La
Crosse River, which separates North La Crosse from the main por-
tion of the city. Near the south end of La Crosse, State Road Coulee
enters the Mississippi River from the east bank. The lower reach
of this stream is known locally as Pammel Creek, but throughout
this report, is referred to as State Road Coulee. Ebner Coulee flows
into the Mississippi River at the same location. Under normal con-
ditions, the runoff is handled by a storm sewer in its lower reach
but during flood conditions, the excess flow combines with flood wa-
ters from State Road Coulee. Location of these streams is shown on
Plate 1.
The principal residential development of La Crosse is lo-
cated on high ground south of the La Crosse River. There are, how-
ever, substantial residential areas in North La Crosse, on French
Island, and in the vicinity of the two coulees, which are vulnerable
to serious flooding. Portions of this land have been inundated by
floods of the past, and a substantially greater area is within reach
of the potentially greater floods of the future.
The U. S. Geological Survey maintained a stream gaging
station on the Mississippi River at Mt. Vernon Street in La Crosse
from 1929 through 1955. Prior to 1929, the U. S. Weather Bureau
collected gage height records as far back as 1873. Since 1955, the
Mt. Vernon Street gage has been utilized by the U. S. Weather Bu-
reau during periods of high water while routine stream flow records

have been monitored by the Corps of Engineers at Lock and Dam No.
7 immediately upstream from the City of La Crosse.
There are no stream flow records available on State Road
Coulee or Ebner Coulee. On the La Crosse River there is no stream
gaging station in the vicinity of La Crosse. However, a water stage
recorder has been maintained continuously from December 1913 to
the present time near West Salem, Wisconsin. Data from this sta-
tion has been reviewed and extrapolated to La Crosse with appro-
priate adjustments.
Residents along the streams have been interviewed and
newspaper files and historical documents searched for information
concerning past floods. From these investigations and from studies
of possible future floods on the Mississippi River and its tributaries
in the vicinity of La Crosse, the local flood situation, both past and
future, has been developed. The following paragraphs summarize
the significant findings which are discussed in more detail in suc-
ceeding sections of this report.

THE GREATEST FLOOD known on the Mississippi River at La Crosse
occurred in April 1965. Newspaper accounts as well as gage data
leave little doubt that this flood was the greatest experienced in the
La Crosse area for at least the past century.

A GREAT HISTORIC FLOOD on the Mississippi River at La Crosse
was recorded in June 1880. This deluge ranks second with the crest
1.4 feet lower than the maximum observed flood of April 1965. The
peak discharge of the 1880 flood has been calculated to be somewhat
less than the flow measured during the 1969 flood even though the
maximum stage was higher. This difference is believed to be the
result of channel improvements which have been constructed during
this century.

ANOTHER LARGE FLOOD occurred in April 1969 on the Mississippi
River. This flood was 2.2 feet lower than the April 1965 flood of
record at La Crosse. As has been true of all major floods on the
Mississippi River, flood waters backed up into the La Crosse River,
causing flooding along its banks even though the tributary flow was
relatively small.

A MAJOR REGIONAL FLOOD occurred in western Wisconsin in
August 1935. Flooding was intense on the La Crosse River, but the
Mississippi River was not affected appreciably.

INTERMEDIATE REGIONAL FLOODS on the Mississippi River and
its tributaries have an average frequency of occurrence of once in
100 years. They are determined from an analysis of floods on these
streams and other streams in the same general area. The analysis
indicates that the Intermediate Regional Floods for the Mississippi
River would be approximately 0.6 feet lower than the April 1965 flood
of record which had a frequency of occurrence on the order of once in
170 years. The August 1935 flood on the La Crosse River had a fre-
quency of occurrence of nearly once in 85 years and a crest which
averaged 2.0 feet lower than the Intermediate Regional Flood.

STANDARD PROJECT FLOOD determinations indicate that floods
could occur on the Mississippi River in the vicinity of La Crosse
about 3.5 feet higher than the April 1965 flood and about 5. 7 feet
higher than the April 1969 flood. The Standard Project Flood would
be about 7. 5 feet higher than the August 1935 flood on the La Crosse
River.

*rc VQ ^r

FLOOD DAMAGES that would result from recurrence of major known
floods would be substantial. Extensive damage would be caused by
the Intermediate Regional Floods and Standard Project Floods be-
cause of their wider extent, greater depth and higher velocities.

MAIN FLOOD SEASON for the Mississippi River is in the spring with
most of the higher floods resulting from snowmelt. There have been
cases, however, when intense thunderstorms have resulted in major
floods on the Mississippi River. The main flood season for the La
Crosse River is also in the spring in conjunction with flooding on the
Mississippi River; however, floods due to intense regional thunder-
storms have occurred in the summer. Frequent flooding caused by
thunderstorms may be expected at any time of the year on smaller
streams such as State Road and Ebner Coulees.

WATER VELOCITIES during major floods range up to 6.0 feet per
second (about 4 miles per hour) in the channel of the Mississippi
River. Velocities on the flood plain vary widely depending on loca-
tion, but are generally less than 2 feet per second. During a Stand-
ard Project Flood velocities would be extremely dangerous to life and
property. In the channel, they would range up to 8. 0 feet per second
on the Mississippi River and 8. 5 feet per second on the La Crosse
River. On the flood plain, the velocities during a Standard Project
Flood would reach a maximum of 1.0 to 3.0 feet per second. Greater
velocities would occur on the La Crosse River if it were to flood at a
time when the Mississippi River is low such as occurred in 1935. Ve-
locities greater than 3. 0 feet per second combined with depths of 3.0
feet or greater are generally considered hazardous.

FLOOD DURATIONS are quite long on the Mississippi River and the
La Crosse River in the vicinity of La Crosse. While flooding on the

La Crosse River caused by its own flow would be of a much shorter
duration, the most usual cause of flooding is from backup of the Mis-
sissippi River. Nearly 9 days are required for the Mississippi Riv-
er to rise from normal pool level to flood stage. During the flood of
April 1965, the Mississippi River had a maximum rate of rise of
about 1.6 feet per day, and remained out of its banks for 27 days.
Stages on the La Crosse River can rise from stream bed to maximum
flood peak in 2. 5 days following an intense regional rainstorm. Flood
peaks are reached more quickly and durations are shorter for the two
coulees because of their small drainage basins. During the Standard
Project Flood on the Mississippi River, the stream would rise 16. 8
feet in 15 days with a maximum rate of rise of 1. 6 feet per day, and
would remain out of the banks for about 35 days.

*c *

HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS would occur during large floods as a re-
sult of the rapidly rising streams, high velocities and deep flows.

* * *

FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION MEASURES. The St. Paul District
Corps of Engineers is currently investigating flood control needs in
La Crosse, Wisconsin and vicinity. Completion of these studies is
expected during 1971 at which time a survey report will be issued.

FUTURE FLOOD HEIGHTS that would be reached if the Intermediate
Regional and Standard Project Floods occurred in the vicinity of La
Crosse are shown in Table 1. The table gives the comparison of
these flood crests and also shows the comparison with the floods of
record where data are available.

TABLE 1

RELATIVE FLOOD HEIGHTS

River
Miles

Estimated
Peak
Discharge
cfs

Above
Inte rme -
diate
Re gional
Flood
feet

Mississippi River

April 20, 1965
Intermediate Regional
Standard Project

Mt. Vernon St.

697.78 273,000
251,000
375,000

La Crosse River
·...

August 8, 1935
April 20, 1965
Intermediate Regional
Standard Project

U.S. Hwy. 53

Lang Drive

0.39

1.42

9,180
400
9, 500
60,500

9,180
400
9, 500
60, 500

(1) Caused by backwater from Mississippi River.

Flood

Location

0.6

4.1

-2.6
0. 5(1)

5.4

-1.0
0.2 (1)

5. 8

PAST FLOODS

This section of the report is a history of floods on the
Mississippi River and its tributaries in the vicinity of La Crosse,
Wisconsin. La Crosse is located in La Crosse County, along the
east side of the Mississippi River at the confluence of the La Crosse
River. The portion of the Mississippi River studied extends from
Mile 692.20, two miles south of La Crosse, upstream to the upper
end of French Island which is the north end of the La Crosse corpo-
rate limits; a total distance of 12. 80 river miles. The investigation
on the La Crosse River covers the lower 5.15 miles from its con-
fluence with the Mississippi River to the U. S. Highway 16 Bridge
northeast of La Crosse. State Road Coulee was studied from its
confluence with the Mississippi River to the Hagen Road Bridge, a
distance of 2. 64 river miles. Investigations on Ebner Coulee ex-
tended from Farnum Street to the east side of Section 4, R. 7W. -
T. 15N. just east of La Crosse.
For the Mississippi River, river mileage is measured
from the confluence with the Ohio River, 697. 78 miles downstream
from Mt. Vernon Street in La Crosse. On all of the tributaries, the
mileage is in reference to the mouth of the stream.
The La Crosse River joins the Mississippi River from
the left bank at Mile 698.25 within the corporate limits of La Crosse.
There are several tributaries to the La Crosse River within the study
reach, none of which are of major size. State Road Coulee and Ebner
Coulee both enter the Mississippi River at Mile 693. 50 from the left
bank. This is near U. S. Highway 14-61 overpass immediately south
of La Crosse. Ebner Coulee enters a storm sewer near Farnam
Street and is thus transported the last 3. 7 miles to the Mississippi
River. From the Minnesota side, the Root River is a major tribu-
tary entering the Mississippi River at Mile 693. 70.

The drainage area of the Mississippi River above the Mt.
Vernon Street gage in La Crosse is approximately 62, 800 square miles
extending into the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota and
Iowa. The La Crosse River has a drainage area of 480 square miles
above its confluence with the Mississippi River. The watershed ex-
tends through much of La Crosse County and into the western portion
of Monroe County, Wisconsin. State Road Coulee has a drainage area
of 4. 5 square miles above the Hagen Road Bridge and 6. 0 square miles
at the mouth. Ebner Coulee serves a watershed of 1. 0 square mile
above Farnum Street. Both of these areas are located in La Crosse
County along the east side of the City of La Crosse.
The Mississippi River flows generally from north to south
in the region covered by this report. The La Crosse River flows in
a southwesterly direction. Orientation of the two coulees is to the
west-southwest in the upper portion of the stream, then approximately
straight south to the Mississippi River.
A relatively direct path is followed by the main channel of
the Mississippi River over most of the reach covered by this investiga-
tion. There are, however, many minor channels meandering around
islands and through a rather broad, heavily wooded slough area. Much
of the overbank areas are cleared and are being developed. The La
Crosse River flows through a wide bottom land or slough area, and
the channel is relatively small with a gentle slope and a high degree
of meandering. Both State Road and Ebner Coulees originate in the
high bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River, and drain onto a sand
and gravel plain before discharging into the Mississippi River.
A large part of the residential properties of La Crosse
is on high ground above flood danger, but there are significant res-
idential areas, as well as commercial and industrial establishments
in the flood plains of the Mississippi River and its tributaries. Due
to the high degree of saturation of available land in La Crosse, many
of the newer commercial and industrial developments of the city also
extend into the flood plains.

The first records of river stage on the Mississippi
River date from June 1873 when the U. S. Weather Bureau in-
stalled a gage at Mt. Vernon Street in La Crosse. Flow meas-
urements were conducted by the U. S. Geological Survey from
1929 through 1955 at this location. Since 1955 stream records
have been maintained by the Corps of Engineers at Lock and Dam
No. 7, immediately upstream from La Crosse. The Mt. Vernon
Street gage is currently used by the U. S. Weather Bureau during
flood periods. Records of river stage and discharge on the La
Crosse River at West Salem, Wisconsin are available from 1913
to the present time. These data have been used with proper ad-
justments for evaluation of past floods on the La Crosse River
at La Crosse. No records of stage or discharge have been main-
tained on the two coulees.
Searches of flood history have developed information
on the Mississippi River and the La Crosse River within the study
area. Investigations were made during and following the floods of
April 20, 1965, and April 20, 1969. Local residents were inter-
viewed. Field investigations and office computations were made to
supplement the early data and to develop the flood profile for the
largest recent known flood which, on the Mississippi River, oc-
curred April 20, 1965. The highest flood discharge on the La
Crosse River within recent years occurred August 8, 1935. How-
ever, the 1965 Mississippi River flood was responsible for higher
stages along the lower portion of the La Crosse River. A search
was also made of newspaper files and historical documents. From
these sources and the gage records, it has been possible to develop
a history of known floods on the Mississippi River covering the past
97 years. The flood history for the La Crosse River has also been
developed for the past 57 years. Flood damage occurred in August
1959 from State Road Coulee overflows and on several occasions
since 1955 from high water on Ebner Coulee. Discharge records
for these floods are not available.

This section of the report discusses separately the flood
history of the Mississippi River, the La Crosse River, and State
Road and Ebner Coulees.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Settlement
In the middle of the last century, La Crosse began as a
small trading village on the upper reaches of the Mississippi River.
Settlement was attracted because of the favorable physical charac-
teristics which allowed access for railroads from the east in con-
junction with Mississippi River traffic. Consequently, La Crosse
became a terminal point for settlers moving west enabling it to de-
velop faster than nearby villages. Because of its advantages, La
Crosse was able to benefit from the development of natural resources
including fur at the start and then lumber.
Early growth of the city was from residential buildings
and commercial establishments along the bank of the Mississippi
River south of the La Crosse River. Development north of the La
Crosse River followed soon after. Early industrial growth for the
area depended entirely on lumber and saw mills and so was oriented
to the river. The railroads conformed to existing industrial locations
but later some industries located to use the railroads rather than the
river.
After 1900, the lumber industry on the upper Mississippi
declined and one of the few cities to survive was La Crosse. The
major reason for its continued growth was the increasing diversity
of industry which included plants processing local natural resources
and supplying goods to the growing population and industries in the
La Crosse area. Industries using wood included a boat works which
produced some of the Mississippi's most famous packets, and fac-
tories for brooms, wagons and kegs used at the local breweries and
flour mills. Pork packers supplied nearby lumber camps. Boiler
manufacturers and foundries sprang up as saw mills, steamships
and other machinery became popular. Grain mills supplied the
breweries and tanneries used hemlock bark in the production of
leather goods.

Industrial growth continued after 1900 and by the end of
World War I several local firms became nationally prominent. This
growth prevented the serious unemployment which might have re-
sulted from prohibition when the city's five breweries, which em-
ployed 25 percent of the labor force, were closed. The end of pro-
hibition helped the recovery from the depression and then, after a
slackening of the economy in the late 1930's, a further boost re-
sulted from World War II contracts. In the 1950's non-manufacturing
activities became more important and unemployment became more of
a problem.
A major factor in maintaining La Crosse's economic health
has been its importance as a retail trade center. The city is a primary
shopping center for an area extending 25 to 30 miles with a population
of over 175, 000 persons. Wholesale trade has also been a substantial
factor in the city's economy not only in recent years, when it has shown
considerable growth, but also during the entire life of the city.
Other elements which will continue to provide impetus to
economic growth are the La Crosse State College and the city's well
established and growing medical services. The comparatively un-
tapped tourist industry also has great potential in La Crosse. Ade-
quate transporation facilities are available and will continue to en-
courage economic development.
Between 1860 and 1968, La Crosse grew from 3, 860 to
an estimated 53, 500 persons, but growth was neither constant nor
uniform. By 1890 the population reached 25, 000 after which it grew
slowly until the 1920's. Between 1920 and 1930, there was a sharp
increase from 30, 000 to 40, 000 and by 1950 the city population had
grown to 47, 500 where it remained through 1960. Recently, the
growth trend has again increased bringing the La Crosse population
to 53, 500 in 1968.
Development within the city has progressed to the point
where essentially all suitable land is being utilized. The remaining

vacant land is primarily unimproved area in the flood plains of the
Mississippi, Black and La Crosse Rivers. Some new industrial
sites are currently being developed by filling in portions of these
lower areas.

Flood Damage Prevention Measures
Authority. The Corps of Engineers has underway a
review survey of the flood control needs at La Crosse, Wisconsin,
and vicinity, originally authorized by two general resolutions of
the committee on Flood Control, House of Representatives, adopted
September 18, 1944. In addition, Section 208 of the Flood Control
Act of 1965 authorized a flood control survey on the Mississippi
River north of Dubuque, Iowa.
Objectives. A common study objective of the local in-
terests, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the Urban
Renewal Agency at La Crosse, and the Corps of Engineers, is in
the formulation of the most practical and feasible plan for flood
control and related purposes for the area taking into account the
contributions which the highway and urban renewal programs could
make in a fully coordinated plan.
Accomplishments. As the result of a previous study
completed in 1968, Congress has authorized construction of a pro-
ject that would control flooding from State Road and Ebner Coulees.
As part of its study of the remaining flood problems in La Crosse
and vicinity, the Corps of Engineers, since the public hearing at
La Crosse in January 1966, has obtained necessary field survey
data and has made numerous hydraulic and economic studies to
facilitate plan formulation. Preliminary results thus far indicate
that flood protection for North La Crosse and the lower end of
French Island can best be afforded by a flood barrier system. How-
ever, non-structural alternatives will be evaluated fully and given
the same objective consideration as applicable structural measures.
Study findings have been, and will continue to be, coordi-
nated with local interests and other planning agencies throughout the

course of the investigation to assure that the plan of improvement
selected will meet the present and future needs of the area. Pro-
vided study funds are made available on a continued basis, comple-
tion of the Corps of Engineers' study in 1971 is anticipated.

Flood Warning and Forecasting Services
La Crosse has a flood forecasting system for use when
flood conditions are prevalent. The following is a statement from
the Environmental Science Services Administration (ESSA) describ-
ing the system presently in operation for the Mississippi River and
major tributaries at La Crosse, Wisconsin:
"The ESSA Weather Bureau, Department of Commerce,
provides rainfall and snowmelt advisory flood forecasting service
for the major river basins in Wisconsin and Minnesota. The system
involves the Weather Bureau's making a prediction of a given stage
at a particular gage or gages in the basin, based on observed pre-
cipitation and flows at upstream points as well as anticipated weath-
er conditions. The flood forecast is transmitted to City officials as
well as to newspapers and radio and television stations in the basin.
These sources disseminate the information to residents of the flood
plain in the form of a flood warning. Even though the anticipated
flood may be of moderate proportions, such forewarning permits
industrial plants, public utilities, municipal officials, and individ-
uals with property in the lowlands to take protective measures.
"The La Crosse area is served by a Weather Bureau
River District Office at Minneapolis. Technological support is pro-
vided by a staff of professional hydrologists at a River Forecast Cen-
ter in Kansas City, Missouri. This unit utilizes electronic computer
facilities to determine the runoff which may be expected from a giv-
en amount of rainfall or from the melt from the winter snow cover
of the Upper Mississippi Basin. The flow is then routed to specific
critical points and is expressed in terms of stage to be expected. A

local Weather Bureau Office in La Crosse assists with the collection
of basic data and the distribution of information within the area.
"For snowmelt advisory forecasts the lead time between
distribution of the forecast and the flood crest may range from one
to three weeks. Lead time for crests resulting from rainfall is nor-
mally three to seven days, depending on the area and magnitude of
the storm. The technology of accurate river and flood forecasting
is dependent on adequate and timely reports of precipitation and riv-
er stage data. Reports from approximately 35 river stations and
over 100 precipitation stations are available for making the com-
puter analysis. Many of the river gages are equipped with telemetry
which enables instant reporting at any hour of the day. These data
are supplemented by observations from radar equipment at Minne-
apolis, where the effective range permits immediate detection of
the area of precipitation and provides a fair indication of the inten-
sity. "

The Stream and Its Valley
The headwater of the Mississippi River is Lake Itasca
in Clearwater County, Minnesota. The river flows in a general south-
southeasterly direction through the United States before discharging
into the Gulf of Mexico near New Orleans, Louisiana. Limits of this
study extend from Mile 692.2 above the Ohio River, which is two
miles south of La Crosse, to the north end of the city, a total dis-
tance of 12. 8 river miles. The drainage basin above the lower study
limit is basically fan shaped extending more than 300 miles to the
northwest. The terrain varies significantly throughout the drainage
basin and the uses are also quite variable. Plate 1 shows the water-
shed and stream drainage system for the Mississippi River.
The total fall in the Mississippi River from its head-
waters to the mouth of the Minnesota River is approximately 770
feet. This is an average gradient of 1.45 feet per mile. The fall
from the mouth of the Minnesota River to Lock and Dam No. 7 at
the upper end of the study reach is approximately 70 feet. This

is an average gradient of 0.-5 feet per mile compared with 0. 9
feet per mile average slope in the 12.8 mile study reach.
Major tributaries to the Mississippi River in the study
area include the Root River from the Minnesota side and the La
Crosse River from the Wisconsin side. Smaller tributaries include
State Road and Ebner Coulees which enter the Mississippi just south
of La Crosse. A side channel of the Mississippi River known as the
Black River is included with the parent stream for this investigation.
The La Crosse River and the two coulees will be discussed separately
in later sections of this report.
Except for numerous slough areas and islands, the Mis-
sissippi River follows a relatively direct channel through flood plains
varying from 0. 5 miles to 2. 7 miles in width along the Wisconsin
side of the channel. The widest flood plains in the study reach are
located near the south end of La Crosse. Just above the study limit
at Lake Onalaska, the flood plain extends for more than 4 miles in
width. Areas inundated by a severe flood such as a Standard Proj-
ect Flood would extend to substantial distances within the City of La
Crosse and the agricultural lands downstream from La Crosse.
Pertinent drainage areas of the Mississippi River are
given in Table 2.

Developments in the Flood Plain
Plate 4 is an index map of the six sheets that show the
flooded areas of the Mississippi River and its tributaries during the
Intermediate Regional and Standard Project Floods. Plates 5 through
10 show the flood plain of the Mississippi River for the reach covered
by this report.
Several new residential, commercial and industrial areas
are being and have been established within the flood plain in La Crosse
and immediately downstream. Some well established residential and
commercial areas on French Island, in North La Crosse, and in down-
town La Crosse near the La Crosse River also fall within the flood
plain limits. Some of the low-lying areas within the corporate limits

MISSISSIPPI RIVER WATERSHED
i I

100

200 MILES

A111 REACH COVERED BY THIS REPORT

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
ST. PAUL DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA

WATERSHED MAP

MISSISSIPPI RIVER
AND TRIBUTARIES
VICINITY OF LACROSSE, WISCONSIN

APRIL, 1970

5 10 15

20 MILES

PLATE I

_ __

TABLE 2

DRAINAGE AREAS IN WATERSHED OF

Stream

Location

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

River
Mile

Drainage
Area
sq mi

Mississippi River

State Road Coulee

Ebner Coulee

La Crosse River

Lower Study Limit
Confluence with
State Road Coulee
Confluence with Root
River
Confluence with La
Crosse River
Lock and Dam No. 7
Upper Study Limit

Mouth
Upper Study Limit

Farnum Street Storm
Sewer Inlet
Upper Study Limit

Mouth
Upper Study Limit

are used as playgrounds and parks. Downstream from the urban de-
velopments of La Crosse, most of the flood plain is devoted to agri-
cultural or related purposes.
Three major railroads serve La Crosse and adjacent com-
munities. The Chicago Burlington and Quincy (C. B. &Q. ) Railroad
line follows the Mississippi River along the Wisconsin side. At La
Crosse the main line proceeds along the east side of the city while
a supplemental track follows the riverfront to the downtown industrial
and commercial areas. The Chicago and Northwestern (C. &NW.)
Railway line comes into La Crosse from the east and then swings
north along the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi River. The C. &NW.
also has a track extending to downtown La Crosse. The Chicago

692.20

693.50

693.70

698.25

702.42

64, 583

64, 582

64, 575

62,840

62,340

0.00
2.64

6. 0
4. 5

0.00
0. 88

1.0
0. 8

0.00
5.15

480
474

- -- -- - - -1 - I --,%

Milwaukee St. Paul and Pacific (C. M. St. P.& P.) Railroad crosses
the Mississippi River at Mile 699.76 at La Crosse and proceeds to
the east along the same route as the C. &NW. In the main valley,
railroad service has been severly hampered by past floods and would
be subject to even greater threats during a Standard Project Flood.
There are two highway bridges over the main channel of
the Mississippi River within the study reach. The U. S. Highway 14,
16 and 61 main channel bridge is well above past floods and the pro-
jected Standard Project Flood, however, the west channel bridge and
much of the highway across Barron Island would be inundated by the
Standard Project Flood. Interstate Highway 90 Bridge over the main
channel of the Mississippi River is also a high span well above the
projected Standard Project Flood. Two highway bridges also cross
the Black River adjacent to La Crosse. The west end of Interstate
Highway 90 Bridge is low and would be under water during a Standard
Project Flood. The Clinton Street Bridge has been affected by past
floods and would be under water by as much as 4 feet during a Standard
Project Flood.
Relatively few structures in the flood plain of the Mis-
sissippi River have been damaged by past floods. However, the
potential for damage is considerably greater. The Standard Proj-
ect Flood would cause considerable damage to many additional build-
ings including residences, commercial establishments and industrial
plants and bridges.
One of the important facilities in the flood plain is the
La Crosse Municipal Airport located on French Island. The April
1965 flood covered portions of two runways leaving only one available
for limited airport use. All runways are above the Intermediate Re-
gional Flood level; however, the entire facility would be out of oper-
ation during a Standard Project Flood. Several business establish-
ments in the downtown and outlying areas along the Mississippi River
have been affected by past floods, many of which would be reached

by the Intermediate Regional Flood. Extended areas of damage
would be experienced during the Standard Project Flood.

Bridges Across the Stream
Within the reach covered by the study, there are two
highway bridges and one railroad bridge over the main channel of
the Mississippi River and a similar number over the Black River.
The west channel of the Mississippi River is crossed by one high-
way bridge. Table 3 lists pertinent elevations for the structures
and shows their relation to the crest of the flood of April 20, 1965,
and the Intermediate Regional Flood. Figures 1 and 2 are photo-
graphs of these bridges.
The U. S. Highway 14, 16 and 61 Bridge has been a
major link between La Crosse and the State of Minnesota. The
east end of the bridge is located at Cass Street in La Crosse. Two-
lane traffic is provided to Barron Island and then across the west
channel to La Crescent, Minnesota. Located at Mile 697.60, the
main bridge has a navigation span to accommodate river traffic.
The bridge is well above both the Intermediate Regional and Stand-
ard Project Floods. However, the west approach on Barron Island
would be inundated during the Standard Project Flood. The west
channel bridge is a five-span structure approximately 760 feet long.
The low steel of this bridge was well above the crest of the April 1965
flood and would also be well above the Intermediate Regional Flood.
During a Standard Project Flood, however, this bridge would be in-
undated by approximately 1.2 feet.
The C.M.St. P.&P. Railroad Bridge crosses the Mis-
sissippi River at Mile 699. 76 and the Black River at Mile 0. 95.
Intermediate spans also cross French Slough and the east channel
of the Mississippi River. During an Intermediate Regional Flood
the water will be above the low steel of the bridges across French
Slough and the Black River. During a Standard Project Flood the

> 3 ro 4- 0 Ln 0
O. O Ou~ OOOO

0 000LO 00 a 0

UC
zNO NO.ONONONONO

NONONONONONONO
HU)

>qQ 8 oi w - o*..o..N
¢SXr0 ItLn)

o I o oC o
O) 0QOLO) d0- cO
k ,O,O D,O >O 4 -O

v-a h m w I ~ aO -O - os~-

U c

u)5No U.-cc
rO4 )00CY)'CY)U)t-
H CY )LOU)0U)

>ONNNONN t
a) ooo)o 0L o

( Cp,C0 sOoONONO NO
t !o O
3 faS >^o c:~in
pC>! OOD 4- OC

~U WJ~~~~°
4-U)u OPO

pZ3 o4-)(.. >
E4 S 4a P

HC- 03- o w

,.<n·rCC00) CLO LO

'^., raCsCD 0s 0
'*+-' ^ "-i\0 'IO rD r

Figure 1. --Mississippi River Bridges

Upper view is downstream side of U. S. Highway 14, 1 and 61 Bridge
over the main channel at Mile 697. 60 Second view is downstream
side of U. S. Highway 14, 16 and 61 Bridge over the west channel ad-
jacent to Mile 698.70. Third view is downstream side of C.M. St.P.&P.
Railroad Bridge over the main channel of Mile 699 76. Lower view is
downstream side of C.M. St. P. &P. Railroad Bridge over the Black Riv-
er channel at Mile 0.95.

Figure 2. --Mississippi River Bridges

Upper view is downstream side of Clinton Street Bridge over the Black
River channel at Mile 1. 75. Middle view is downstream side of Inter-
state Highway 90 Bridge over the main channel at Mile 701.70. Lower
view is downstream side of Interstate Highway 90 Bridge over the Black
River channel at Mile 3.40.

crest would be above the low steel for portions of the bridge across
the main channel of the Mississippi River while the deck of the bridge
across French Slough would be just above the high water level. The
railroad bridge would be out of service during a Standard Project
Flood due to a low approach on the east end of the bridge in North
La Crosse. Head losses at the C.M.St.P.&P. Railroad Bridge
across the Black River would be approximately 0. 5 feet during both
the Intermediate Regional and Standard Project Floods. In the main
channel the head loss would be negligible.
The Clinton Street Bridge located at Mile 1. 75 across the
Black River has been responsible for slightly less than 0. 5 feet of
head loss during recent flo.ods and a similar loss may be expected
during the Intermediate Regional and Standard Project Floods. The
roadway of the Clinton Street.Bridge was just above the April 1965
flood, however, the bridge was closed due to a low approach on the
west. end. Similar, conditions would be anticipated during an Inter-
mediate Regional. Flood. During a, Standard Project Flood the entire
Clinton Street Bridge would be under water and substantial damage
may be expected.
' ,'. Interstate Highway 90 crosses both the Black River and
the Mississippi River within the study reach. There are also spans
across French Slough and Round Lake. The west approach and the
entire bridge across the main channel, including the navigation span,
are well above past floods and the Standard Project Flood. The
bridge which spans French Slough: would be just above the projected
crest., while flood waters would be very near the top' of deck of the
Round Lake Bridge during the Standard Project Flood. At the Black
River crossing of Interstate Highway 90, .flood waters would be well
above the low steel while the west end of.the bridge as well as por-
tions of the highway across French Island would be inundated during
a Standard Project Flood. All of Interstate Highway 90 as it crosses
the Black and Mississippi Rivers is well above the Intermediate

Regional Flood and the level reached during the April 1965 flood.
Portions of this highway were constructed at the time of the April
1965 flood; however, the entire facility was not completed until
1967. A head loss of up to 0. 5 feet will be caused by the Inter-
state Highway 90 Bridge over the Black River during a Standard
Project Flood.

Obstructions to Flood Flow
The effect of obstructions due to bridges and approach fills
has been described in the previous paragraphs. In addition, there is
one major dam on the Mississippi River within the study reach. This
is Lock and Dam No. 7 maintained by the Corps of Engineers for nav-
igational purposes at Mile 702.50. The structure extends from the
Minnesota bank to the west side of French Island. From the east
side of French Island to the Wisconsin mainland, the Onalaska Dam
helps to maintain the desired pool. A 670 foot spillway overflows
into the Black River which rejoins the Mississippi River near the
center of La Crosse. Another spillway, 1, 000 feet long, is located
just above Round Lake. Eleven tainter gates and five roller gates
are provided at the dam in the main channel of the Mississippi River.
These are located adjacent to the lock which is near the Minnesota
mainland. The dike sections are earthen embankments with stone
riprap. During an Intermediate Regional Flood, the crest would be
above the lock walls and within 1.7 feet of the top of the dikes. The
Standard Project Flood would inundate the dike sections by 3. 6 feet.
During normal flow conditions, Lock and Dam No. 7 acts
as a substantial obstruction to flow. At the Intermediate Regional
Flood and Standad Project Flood levels as well as during the past
major floods, the effect of the structures on stream flow amounts to
a head loss of 1.0 foot or less.

FLOOD SITUATION

Flood Records
::: '" Records of river stages on the Mississippi River date
from June 1873 when the U. S. Weather Bureau installed a gage at
Mt. Vernon Street in La Crosse. Flow measurements were con-
ducted by:the U. S. Geological Survey at this location from 1929
through 1955. Since 1955, stream records have been collected by
the Corps of Engineers at Lock and Dam No. 7. The U. S. Weather
Bureau 'currently uses the Mt. Vernon Street gage during flood pe.-
riods.
To supplement the records obtained from these gaging
stations, local residents were interviewed for information on dates
and heights of floods. Newspaper files were searched as were his-
torical documents and records. Reliable data were obtained from
reports of field investigations made during past floods. These rec-
ords and investigations have been used to develop a history of floods
on the Mississippi River covering the past 100 years.

Flood Stages and Discharges
Table 4 lists crest stages and discharges for the known
floods exceeding bankfull stage of 12. 0 feet at the Mt. Vernon Street
gage on the Mississippi River at La Crosse, Wisconsin. Table 5
lists the largest ten floods in order of decreasing magnitude. These
data were taken from available records and verified where possible
by newspaper and historical accounts.

Flood Occurrences
Plate 2 shows known crest stages and years of occurrence
of known floods since 1873 whichhave exceeded the bankfull stage of
12. 0 feet on the Mississippi River at the Mt. Vernon Street gage at
La Crosse, Wisconsin.

TABLE 4

MISSISSIPPI RIVER AT LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN

FLOOD CREST ELEVATIONS ABOVE BANKFULL STAGE

1873 - 1969

The table includes all known floods above bankfull stage of 12 feet
at the Mt. Vernon Street gaging station in La Crosse, Wisconsin at
Mile 697.78 above the Ohio River. Drainage area = 62, 800 square
miles, approximately. Stages before February 1933 are adjusted to
present gage zero of 626.32 feet, MSL 1912 Adjustment.

Date of Crest

Maximum
Stage
feet

Crest
Elevation
feet

Peak
Discharge
cfs

June 19, 1880
October 17, 1881
May 8-9, 1888
April 10, 1897
September 20, 1903

June 12, 1905
April 28-29, 1916
April 2, 1920
April 17, 1922
March 27-28, 1936

May 23, 1938
June 5, 1942
June 22, 1943
June 22, 1944
March 19-26-29,

16.5
14.4
14.5
13.7
13.3

12.4
13.6
14.2
13.7
12.11

1945

May 15, 1950
April 19, 1951
April 20, 1952
May 7, 1954
April 20, 1965

April 7, 1967
April 20, 1969

12.27
12.94
13.32
12.35
12.30

12.56
14.93
15.32
14.33
17.9

14.6
15.7

642.8
640.7
640. 8
640. 0
639.6

638.7
639.9
640.5
640.0
638.43

638.59
639.26
639.64
638.67
638.62

638.88
641.25
641.64
640.65
644.2

640.9
642.0

190,000 (Est)

100,000

101,000
123,000
137,000
124, 000
121, 000

125,000
184, 000
196, 000
166,000
273,000

180,000*
220, 000*

* Outflow from Lock and Dam No. 7.

TABLE 5

HIGHEST TEN KNOWN FLOODS IN ORDER OF MAGNITUDE

MISSISSIPPI RIVER AT LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN

Date of Crest

April 20, .1965

June 19, 1880

April 20, 1969

April 20, 1952

April 19, 1951

April 7, 1967

May 8-9, 1888

October 17, 1881

May 7, 1954

April 2, 1920

Maximum
Stage
feet*

17.9

16.5

15.7

15.32

14.93

14.6

14. 5

14.4

14. 33

14.2

Crest
Elevation
feet

644. 2

642. 8

642.0

641.64

641.25

640.9

640.8

640. 7

640.65

640. 5

Peak
Discharge
cfs

273, 000

190,000 (Est)

220, 000

196,000

184, 000

180, 000

166, 000

* .1933 Adjustment.
~~ ~ ~.1i...~~.: ,4 :.-'..1.-

Order
No. .

Duration and Rate of Rise
Plate 3 shows the stage hydrograph on the Mississippi
River at the Mt. Vernon Street gaging station in La Crosse for the
April 1965 and the April 1969 floods. These hydrographs are typical
of recent spring floods which have occurred on the Mississippi River.
During the 1965 flood, the river rose to its crest in 19 days at an av-
erage rate of 0.65 feet per day, with a maximum rate of 1.60 feet per
day and remained above bankfull stage for 27 days.
During the 1969 flood, the river rose to its crest in 15
days at an average rate of 0. 52 feet per day, with a maximum rate of
0. 80 feet per day and remained above bankfull stage for 19 days.

Velocities
During the April 1965 flood, it is estimated that velocities
in the channel of the Mississippi River in the vicinity of La Crosse
ranged up to 6 feet per second. Overbank velocities ranged up to 2
feet per second.

Flooded Areas and Flood Profiles
Plates 5 through 10 show the approximate areas along the
Mississippi River in the vicinity of La Crosse that would be inundated
by the Intermediate Regional and Standard Project Floods. The actual
confines of these overflow areas on the ground may vary somewhat
from those shown on the maps within the limits of the contour interval
and scale of the maps used for presentation. Some isolated locations
shown within the flood outline may actually be above the flood crest
because of elevated foundations and embankments.
Plate 11 shows the high water profile for the flood of April
1965. Also shown are the profiles for the Intermediate Regional Flood
and the Standard Project Flood discussed later in this report.

:- 645

6 ... -

. , f7

1870

1880 1890 1900

1910

1920

YEARS

GAGING STATION AT

MT. VERNON ST. IN LACROSSE,

WISCONSIN AT MILE 697.78

ABOVE OHIO RIVER.

STAGES BEFORE FEBRUARY 1933

ARE ADJUSTED TO PRESENT GAGE

ZERO OF 626.32 FEET MSL

1912 ADJUSTMENT.

RANKFiJI a 5

.....?. . :.,,......F.......

1930 1940

1950

GSTGSfl

1960

C
-640 <

CJ
0)

I-
-i

.I
-635 z

_1
L.

,I
I
I
i
I
- 630
N
I
I
II

1970

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
ST. PAUL DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA

FLOODS ABOVE

BANKFULL STAGE

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

AT LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN

APRIL, 1970

PLATE 2

H
J
I-

LJ
I
.D
3D

p-;

5:: 'I
-'I,-;1.
I; I -, "41. ;;

:: ?

;:? *
. .iv r ; ?.; , i

iji
r
i
I
r
i i ·
1 Ir
i
i
i

I.
.1

...

6
i

I
I
iI
I

:<-'-l

Loud

:>..t.'.>.:::f':8.:Sf.-.'-°.'. '.:°..B:'.'L.'S-:_8 R'..>-..a..b.';.'.R..'Soi.

:R; A..Y:':>'R:...'

'i>.'..:>v

&.;R.e.<

-650

1 -645

t96$ UL0QDW

12 -B-ANFUW
i iV

.^.,..,.9 ... ............4,.~..... , ' .. . . . ........

v, , i i ~ ict, :- ~. i-- ~ v,,,i,2 ~. ,,' ~ti~ t.. ' I I i
Att . ,,,,,9,,. w I '29 .. I 9. .'' '""'''5'' i'""''7 ,

.-630

2 - . .. I ,

5 10 15 20 25 305 10 15 20 25 5 10 15 20 25 30
MARCH APRIL MAY

GAGING STATION AT
MT.VERNON ST. IN LACROSSE,
WISCONSIN AT MILE 697.78

ABOVE OHIO RIVER.

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
ST. PAUL DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA

STAGE HYDROGRAPHS

MISSISSIPPI RIVER
AT LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN

APRIL, 1970

PLATE 3

w
I-

I-
(D
0

w
0
(D
4
03

0
4R

I..

w
L
U.
z

z
o
0

II
Irl

I _~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

R· 1,
iI"I kl'
f I

.'...t.:

FLOOD DESCRIPTIONS

Following are descriptions of known large floods that
have occurred on the Mississippi River and its tributaries in the
vicinity of La Crosse. These are based on newspaper accounts,
historical records and field investigations.

June 19, 1880
A ten-day rain in the Upper Mississippi Valley during
the summer of 1880 resulted in the highest flood on record at that
time. The maximum stage at La Crosse of 16. 5 feet was reached
on June 19. The 1880 flood now ranks second being surpassed only
by the severe flood of April 1965. Actually, the estimated discharge
for the 1880 flood is less than that experienced in 1969 and 1952. The
lower crest of the more recent floods is the result of channel improve-
ments made since the turn of the century.
Several persons were drowned in the area as a result of
the summer flood. Transportation was severely hampered when rail-
roads were forced to suspend service because of washed out tracks.
Many dams and bridges were also destroyed. Saw mills were inun-
dated; 30, 000 tons of ice were ruined and basements, especially those
of warehouses along Front Street, were flooded.
A high water mark from the 1880 inundation still remains
on the building now occupied by the Schilling Paper Company at Front
and Main Streets.

April 19, 1951
The flood of April 1951 was produced primarily by spring
runoff of snowmelt. At the time of its occurrence, it ranked second
only to the major deluge of 1880. Since 1951, three years have pro-
duced floods with higher crest elevations.
The following are excerpts from a newspaper account of
the 1951 flood at La Crosse:

THE LA CROSSE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, April 18, 1951
WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE AND STILL IT COMES

"Mississippi River reached its flood crest of 14. 89 feet
at 6 a.m., Thursday, at La Crosse and then started to recede slowly.
"More than 400 families live in flooded zones and count-
less others are coping with the problem of water in basements. In
many houses throughout the community furnace fires are out. In some
of the places bordering the flood areas there is more than five feet of
water in basements. "

April 20, 1952
The fourth ranking known flood in La Crosse history oc-
curred in the spring of 1952 exceeding the level reached the previous
year by 0.4 feet. This flood was again the result of snowmelt coupled
with spring rainfall.
Included below are newspaper accounts of the 1952 flood
which indicate some of the preparatory measures as well as the re-
sulting damages from this flood.

THE LA CROSSE TRIBUNE
Monday, April 14, 1952
MAYOR DEFERS ORDERING STATE OF EMERGENCY

"Dikes and flood gates holding; dikes being raised.
"AuxiliaryF pumps pressed into service. "
"Chlorine content in drinking water increased."
"Expect Army unit from Camp McCoy."
"Evacuate island families."
"Red Cross sets up housing and feeding facilities."
"It was the same story as last year for most Green Island
families flooded out of their homes and sheltered by the Red Cross
Monday in Lincoln School.

"They sat on army cots pushed tight together in the school
gymnasium, while children played in the aisles and mothers held cry-
ing babies. Most of them had gone through the same experience last
year."

THE LA CROSSE TRIBUNE
Sunday, April 20, 1952
AWAIT CREST OF 15.4 FEET SUNDAY NIGHT

"Saturday night was a crucial period, just as Sunday will
be. If wind action stirs up whitecaps on the tremendous seas of water
fronting La Crosse to the west and parts of the city on the east, there
may be some damage to dikes."
"Water is lapping at the Causeway. Flood waters poured
from Black River over the Milwaukee Railroad storage tracks to the
west, filling the marsh area. Seepage is the primary cause for the
water in the east Causeway marsh."
"La Crosse Brush Company plant to the west of U. S.
Highway 53 at the northern city limits is practically isolated by flood
waters. A protective dike has been thrown up around the buildings,
while a narrow dike-protected path on the old road permits employees
to walk to their jobs."
"Riverside Park is suffering from the highest water ever
noted since the recreation area was constructed by dredging years
ago. The west driveway is practically covered with water for its en-
tire length... Water covers the railroad tracks and alley behind the
row of wholesale district buildings..."
"Boathouses in Copeland Park are moored as close as
possible to the road, most of which is under water. A large expanse
of the park area and the enclosed baseball diamond also are inundated. "

April 20, 1965
A major flood on the Mississippi River occurred in April
1965 primarily as the result of spring runoff of snowmelt. The 1965

peak crest was 1.4 feet above the previous high water of June 1880
making it the greatest known flood at La Crosse. In comparison with
recent floods, the 1965 crest was some 2. 6 feet above the 1952 high
water and 2.2 feet higher than the 1969 flood. Several photographs
which indicate the disastrous extent of the April 1965 flood are pre-
sented on Figures 3 through 6.
The following excerpts from newspaper accounts indicate
the magnitude of the 1965 flood of record which took at least one life
at La Crosse:

THE LA CROSSE TRIBUNE
Monday, April 19, 1965
NORTH SIDE DIKE BREAKS;
DIKE RAISED ON HWY. 53

"A 75- to 80-foot section of dike along the Black River
west of St. Andrew and Sumner Streets broke about 8 a.m. Monday
and rushing water surrounded about 25 homes in the south end of the
North Side."
"Within 15 to 20 minutes after the break, water had
reached Sumner Street."
"The onrushing water caused a 250, 000-gallon Texaco
gasoline storage tank in the area to tilt and the smell of gasoline is
heavy in the area. '
"Water pressure forced a break in a French Island dike
Monday morning. County Highway Commissioner Orval Smith re-
ported that about 5:30 a.m. sandbags blew out of a culvert under the
Bainbridge Street dike in the 1600 block."
"Smith reported that the Goose Island bridge has been
damaged by water. 'It has sunk on one end and may have to be re-
built,' he said."
"'Seepage continues to be a problem on French Island,
he added."
"Smith said the department's two four-inch pumps now
in use on the island are losing ground to water seeping under the dikes."

Figure 3. --FLOOD SCENES IN LA CROSSE - APRIL 1965
Top view is looking northeast at upper portion of French Island. The
intersection of Lakeshore Drive and Kine Street is shown along the
right edge of the photograph. Bottom view is looking northeast along
the C. and NW. Railway. The Lang Drive Bridge over the La Crosse
River is shown in the foregrouind.

Figure 4. --FLOOD SCENES IN LA CROSSE - APRIL 1965
These photographs show conditions which existed in the commercial
area along Causeway Boulevard.

Figure 5. --FLOOD SCENES IN LA CROSSE - APRIL 1965
Top view shows the intensity of flooding in a residential section of
La Crosse. Middle view is of the commercial area along Copeland
Avenue in North La Crosse. Bottom view is looking east across
Riverside Park toward the Schilling Paper Company building on
Front Street.
35

Figure 6. --FLOOD SCENE IN LA CROSSE - APRIL 1965
A National Guardsman marches on the Causeway dike in North La
Crosse. The flooded section of U. S. Highway 53 has terminated
traffic to the La Crosse business district shown in the background
of the photograph.

"Sunday afternoon about 100 feet of Chicago North West-
ern Railroad track north of Gateway Grocery Co. washed out, allow-
ing water to gush into the Swanson Field area covering the Milwaukee
Railroad tracks and raising the water level in the marsh northeast of
Schuh Homes."
"Lang Drive, with two feet of water at some points, Sun-
day was closed to all traffic. Previously emergency vehicles could
get through."
"Meteorologist Carl Peterson said an all-time high river
reading for La Crosse was exceeded when the Mississippi rose to
16.6 feet at 7 p.m. Sunday.
"The previous record was 16. 5 feet, June 19, 1880.
"Highest reading for this century was 15. 3 on April 20,
1952.
"The Mississippi at 11:30 a.m. Monday, was at 17.1 feet.
Flood stage here is 12.0 feet.
"Peterson said the river level will be at 17.6 feet Tuesday,
at 18. 0 feet Wednesday. That latter height will be maintained at least
through Friday."

THE LA CROSSE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, April 20, 1965
CITY BRACES FOR RIVER CREST;
2 AIRPORT RUNWAYS CLOSED

"One runway at the La Crosse Municipal Airport is open,
but two others have been closed because water up to 18 inches covers
the southwest corner of the airport.
"Telephone communications are out at the airport, as well
as French Island and the North Side, but emergency service via ama-
teur radio has kept the airport in contact with Federal Aviation Agency
and weather bureau substations in the La Crosse Telephone Corp.
basement 5th Avenue and Jay Street.

"North Central still is maintaining service in and out of
La Crosse. Theron Clark, Airport Manager, says he anticipates
no further danger to the airport unless the water rises another two
feet or more on the Black River. 'Then we'll be put out of commis-
sion.' "
"Flooding is critical on many areas of the island. Water
is as high as windows in some lowlying sections. Workers are busy
reinforcing dikes along Lake Shore Drive south of Summit School.
They also are attempting to stop seepage at a dike near the town hall.
"Water is being pumped out of a lower area in the 1700
block of Bainbridge into other flooded areas. The homes on the west
side of the street are being flooded because of sewer backup.
"Washburn Street is covered with three to four feet of
water in spots. This street leads to the closed Clinton Street bridge."
"All North Side schools--five public and three parochial--
were closed Tuesday for three days to avoid any traffic interference
that might be brought on by parents taking children to and from school,
and by children in the streets."
"On the causeway, the McLoone Advertising Agency lost
its fight to keep water out of its building. Sandbag dikes failed, and
personnel--who reached the building by boat--were attempting to move
equipment above the expected water level.
"Radio Station WLCX went off the air about mid-morning
Tuesday because of flooding at the station's transmitter on Lang Drive. "

THE LA CROSSE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, April 21, 1965
MISSISSIPPI CRESTS AT 17.7 FEET

"The 17. 7 mark, hit between 4 and 5 p.m., held all night.
The Weather Bureau Wednesday morning verified the river had crested
and forecast it will drop . 1 of a foot sometime Saturday. It will be back
to 15 feet about April 28 or 29 and at the 12-foot flood stage May 5 or 6.

"For most of Tuesday afternoon and evening, a pump
behind Schuh Homes, the public housing project at St. James Street,
was unable to keep up with seepage and water got knee-deep in the
backyards and streets."
"Private dikes went out Tuesday at Super-Valu, Pitts-
burgh Plate Glass Co. and at a few other businesses in the flood-
stricken Causeway area."
"The intersection of Wall and Avon Streets was covered
with about three inches of water Wednesday after water backed up
through sewers and catch basins Tuesday. A similar condition at
Charles and Moore Streets Tuesday had been pumped out."
"Some stores have lost their battle. A break occurred
earlier Tuesday at a dike surrounding the Super Valu Store. The
water inside was as deep as outside.
"The floor in Republic Carpet City buckled and water
was in the store. Bell Discount had about one foot of water inside."

THE LA CROSSE TRIBUNE
May 7, 1965
SPECIAL FLOOD SECTION

"April 15 - Businesses along the Causeway make last-
minute preparations to protect their establishments. That evening
water rushed through a Milwaukee Road track along the Black River
and flooded an area between Bantam Street and Causeway Boulevard.
40 to 50 cars trapped in Bell Discount Co. parking lot. Cars off the
lot were in water up to their headlights. Lang Drive, Gillette Street
closed. Ninety National Guardsmen on 24-hour duty patroling dikes.
"April 22 - Corner of five-story W. A. Roosevelt Co.
building sags after floodwaters wash out ground beneath footings.
Building's basement floor explodes from water pressure and base-
ment fills with water. '"

"City of La Crosse estimates its cost for flood fighting
will total $1, 158, 000. The breakdown: Sewer cleanup and repair
and street repair, $655, 000. Repair and cleanup of marsh wells,
$185, 000. Repair and cleanup of park facilities, $93, 000. Flood
control costs, including regular and overtime pay, $225, 000."
"Access to Brice Prairie was threatened when a culvert,
undermined by muskrats, washed out on Highway Z, the main route
used by factories, businesses and 300 or 400 homeowners on the
prairie.
"The only remaining route, ZN, had been damaged by
high water and repaired earlier in the year. County trucks worked
endlessly as the flood crested to keep ZN above water, raising the
road an average of two feet over much of its length."
"The Burlington and Milwaukee Railroads began curtail-
ing passenger and freight service in La Crosse April 12. Three days
later the Milwaukee temporarily ended all trains.
"The Burlington was able to maintain one passenger and
one freight train to and from Chicago until April 21. Both railroads
resumed limited service April 27, with the Burlington using Milwaukee
tracks until its own were repaired after considerable washing out."
"D. H. Hansen, La Crosse Telephone Corp. general
manager, said seepage caused damage to cables under the Causeway
April 19 disrupting telephone service to some 4, 900 customers on
the North Side and French Island, and temporarily to Onalaska and
Holmen. Linemen, using National Guard trucks to maneuver through
deep water, strung a cable above the Causeway to provide emergency
service to police and fire stations and 14 phone stands set up in scat-
tered sections of the affected areas."
"Northern States Power Co. crews disconnected natural
gas lines to individual homes in flood-threatened ared as as well as
electrical service which was endangered by high water."

April 20, 1969
The most recent flood on the Mississippi River at La
Crosse occurred during April 1969. The crest came within 2.2 feet
of the 1965 flood of record and ranks third among historic floods at
La Crosse. Snowmelt was again the main cause of the damaging
1969 flood. Figure 7 shows some photographs of flood conditions
which existed in La Crosse during the 1969 flood.
Newspaper accounts such as those presented below de-
scribe the extent of the April 1969 flood in La Crosse:

THE LA CROSSE TRIBUNE
Monday, April 21, 1969
VOLUNTEERS FIGHT WIND, FLOOD CREST

"Cresting floodwaters and high winds collided at La
Crosse Sunday, zeroed in on Brice Prairie and sent hundreds of
volunteers hurrying to the area to repel four-foot swells which
swept across Lake Onalaska against a three-mile shoreline.
"The 15.7-foot crest arrived about 5:30 a.m. Sunday,
according to the La Crosse Weather Bureau, and was greeted by
25 to 36-mile-an-hour winds sweeping out of the southeast.
"The wind shifted Monday and although diminished still
posed a threat to French Island.
"Heavy waves began assaulting earthen dikes on Brice
Prairie and undermining retaining walls and lake frontage property
along the entire northwest shoreline."
"Strong winds Sunday churned the waters of the Black
River also and caused a few headaches for French Island flood fight-
ers Sunday.
"A boat dock pulled loose from its moorings about noon
and slammed into the Clinton Street bridge, according to Neil Collins,
island Civil Defense director."

Figure 7. --FLOOD SCENES IN LA CROSSE - APRIL 1969
Top aerial view is looking south at the flooded portion of Shelby Street
on Green Island. The Lutheran Hospital is in the foreground. Lower
view is looking southwest toward the flooded La Crosse and Mississippi
Rivers. St. James Street runs across the center of the photograph.

"Three to four feet of water covered all real estate south
of Locust Street and east of the dikes on South Bainbridge.
"Behind the dike, seepage was up a foot deep in low
spots, but most residences, which had several feet of water during
the 1965 flood, were dry thanks to dikes and the lower crest which
this year fell more than two feet short of the 17. 9-foot flood crest
here in 1965. "

LA CROSSE RIVER

The Stream and Its Valley
The La Crosse River drains an area north and east of
La Crosse containing approximately 480 square miles. There are
several tributaries to the La Crosse River, but none of consequence
within the study reach. The La Crosse River watershed is approx-
imately 50 miles long and varies in width from 12 to 20 miles.
Headwaters of the La Crosse River are located in the
north-central part of Monroe County, Wisconsin near Camp McCoy
Military Reservation. The river flows generally west-southwest
through Sparta and West Salem before discharging into the Missis-
sippi River at La Crosse. The terrain consists of flat bottom ground
adjacent to the river changing abruptly to steep, wooded hillsides.
The location of the stream and watershed is shown on Plate 1.
Elevations in the La Crosse River basin range from a
maximum of 1, 450 feet at the northeast end of the basin to 624 feet
in the stream bed at the mouth (Mile 698. 25 on the Mississippi River).
Average elevation of hills bordering the upper end of the watershed is
about 1,300 feet. Total length of the La Crosse River is approxi-
mately 50 miles. Upstream from Sparta the average slope is about
12 feet per mile. Below this point the stream levels out to a slope
of about 4 feet per mile. The Neshonoc Lake, located near West
Salem, is the only major reservoir along the La Crosse River, al-
though there are several smaller lakes.
This investigation covers the lower 5. 15 miles of the La
Crosse River. Because of the flat slough area adjacent to the stream
bed, the flood plain is nearly 1.7 miles wide west of U. S. Highway
16 along the east side of La Crosse. Near the La Crosse business
district the flood plain narrows to 0. 9 miles. The lower 4. 1 miles
of the La Crosse River are in the flood plain of the Mississippi River.
Pertinent drainage areas of the La Crosse River are given
in Table 6.

TABLE 6

DRAINAGE AREAS IN WATERSHED OF LA CROSSE RIVER

River Drainage
Stream Location Mile Area
Sq. Mi.

La Crosse River Mouth 0.00 480
Upper Study Limit 5.15 474

Developments in the Flood Plain
Plates 7, 8 and 10 show the flood plain of the La Crosse
River for the reach covered in this investigation. The lower portion
of the La Crosse River is extensively developed from its confluence
with the Mississippi River to Mile 0. 5 just above U. S. Highway 53
(Copeland Avenue). Above this point the only substantial develop-
ments along the south and east sides of the river consist of scat-
tered residential properties, including some dwellings, and a con-
crete products plant on Conoco Road. Along the opposite side of the
La Crosse River there are substantial residential and industrial de-
velopments as far north as County Highway B. The balance of the
flood plain is either agricultural or slough area which is not suitable
for farming or other developments.
The various commercial establishments along U. S. High-
way 53 have been flooded in the past and are subject to comparable or
greater flooding by the Intermediate Regional and Standard Project
Floods. Some of the residential properties in North La Crosse which
are adjacent to the La Crosse River have been flooded in the past while
many others have been protected by temporary dikes. In this investi-
gation the areas subject to flooding by the Intermediate Regional and
Standard Project Floods, as shown on Plates 7, 8 and 10, are based
on failure of the temporary dikes. This assumption has been used
because there is no permanent system of dikes available to protect
the area from flooding.

During an Intermediate Regional Flood, water would be
above the low steel of all highway and railroad bridges from the mouth
of the La Crosse River, up to and including Lang Drive and the adja-
cent C. &NW. Railway Bridge. The Standard Project Flood would in-
undate all but two of the bridges on the La Crosse River up to U. S.
Highway 16 northeast of La Crosse. Extensive areas along either
side of the river would also be under water.

Bridges Across the Stream
There is a total of 11 bridges across the La Crosse River
in the 5. 15 mile study reach. Views of some of the bridges are shown
on Figures 8 and 9.
One of the bridges over the La Crosse River is a farm
bridge while three bridges carry highway traffic and the remaining
seven are railroad bridges.
Table 7 lists pertinent elevations for the bridges and shows
their relation to the Intermediate Regional Flood and the flood of rec-
ord. From the mouth of the La Crosse River up to County Highway B,
the flood of record occurred in April 1965. At this highway and fur-
ther up stream, the 1965 flood was exceeded by the crest of the August
1935 flood. All of the bridges in the lower 2. 00 miles of the La Crosse
River will be affected by the Intermediate Regional Flood and one will
be inundated. The Standard Project Flood will inundate all of the
bridges on the La Crosse River except two which will be out of opera-
tion because of low approaches. Substantial head losses will occur
at most of the bridges as shown on the profiles (Plate 12).

Obstructions to Flood Flow
The effect of obstructions due to bridges and culverts has
been discussed in the previous paragraphs. There are no other sig-
nificant obstructions to flow in the La Crosse River reach included
in this study.

(N r4 0E D -¥ - ¥
jr-t 4

<DO 6)o ^ o
B oo-% X o f m
...) ,ro..,4~.4'~D
* . > f °4Lfr) CO r SO OO

t->CY)Ce) r-)CoLfC_.
4-1

*H LnOux > w........0

4· '' '
tt ,j , .UW ^ VD vo so No cD D 0,. o ,o s o

> < .

E °rl0 0 't- * *

~~~~~~~rO4-1'IO. VD'IO'I'ID' I\O ,.- -

. ro- Cr 4, u
^ S.2 2 S S "£ ^^' rLn Ln Ln m M tM tM >

" ~ 6'IO-~.0 00 "
t-rUa.

~~~~~~HoC)~~~ c0
U . -

,4 )). Y0 Obj*
<3 ...^TCOdOO 0

- . ,dvdd

,--I0 ..nj K
. E, |w a= S k agq u 4-)

Q 0m Un w

c,v c; C; Cva vC v

Figure 8. --LA CROSSE RIVER BRIDGES

Upper view is downstream side of C.M.St.P. &P. Railroad Bridge at
Mile 0. 14. Middle view is downstream side of C. B. &Q. Railroad
Bridge at Mile 0. 34. Lower view is upstream side of U. S. Highway
53 (Copeland Avenue) Bridge at Mile 0.39.

Figure 9. --LA CROSSE RIVER BRIDGES

Upper view is downstream side of Lang Drive Bridge at Mile 1.42.
Second view is upstream side of C. &NW. Railway Bridge at Mile
1.44. The supporting piers for the Lang Drive Bridge are visible
under the railroad bridge. The third view is downstream side of
County Highway B Bridge at Mile 3. 73. The County Highway B
Bridge over a side channel of the La Crosse River is shown in the
bottom view.

FLOOD SITUATION

Flood Records
There are no records of stream stage or discharge avail-
able for the La Crosse River in the vicinity of La Crosse; however,
records from 1913 to the present time are available for the La Crosse
River at West Salemy Wisconsin. These data have been used, with
appropriate adjustments, for evaluation of past floods on the La Crosse
River at La Crosse.

Flood Stages and Discharges
While there are no official records of discharge on the
La Crosse River at La Crosse during past floods, records available
at West Salem have been used to project the August 1935 discharge
at 9, 180 cfs., Newspaper accounts describe a high water mark on the
Lang Drive Bridge which is at elevation 644. 2. Hydraulic computa-
tions have verified the crest. During past floods which have occurred
as a result of backwater from the Mississippi River, a reasonable es-
timate of the crest has been obtained from observed high water marks
on the Mississippi River.

Flood Occurrences
Investigations indicate that major floods have occurred
with a slightly greater frequency on the La Crosse River than on the
Mississippi River. This results from the fact that the La Crosse
River floods concurrently with the Mississippi River in addition to
its own overflows.

Duration and Rate of Rise
The duration and rate of rise for floods on the La Crosse
River which are caused by backwater from the Mississippi River are
included with the discussion of the flood situation for the latter stream.
The August 1935 flood on the La Crosse River rose to its crest in

about 56 hours at an average rate of 0. 2 feet per hour. For approx-
imately three days the river was out of its banks.

Velocities
During the August 1935 flood, velocities ranged up to
9.2 feet per second in the channel of the La Crosse River and as
high as 2. 0 feet per second in the overbank areas. These maximums
occurred in the lower reach of the river where it flows through the
La Crosse business district. Near the upper end of the study reach,
channel velocities as high as 5.6 feet per second existed. For the
4. 00 mile section between Mile 0. 50 and Mile 4. 50 the stream bed
is quite flat and the flood plain is very wide, thus allowing much re-
duced velocities.

Flooded Areas, Flood Profiles and Cross Sections
Plates 7, 8 and 10 show the approximate areas along the
La Crosse River that would be inundated by the Intermediate Regional
Flood and Standard Project Flood. The actual extent of the overflow
area on the ground may vary somewhat from that shown within the
limits of the contour interval and scale of the maps used for plotting
the flooded area boundaries.
Plate 12 shows the high water profile for the floods of
August 1935 and April 1965 on the La Crosse River. The profiles
have been calculated by backwater computations and correlated with
observed high water marks. Also shown are the profiles for the Inter-
mediate Regional and Standard Project Floods for the La Crosse Riv-
er which are discussed later in this report.
Plates 13 through 16 show 20 cross sections that are typ-
ical of the total of 41 obtained for the La Crosse River in the reach
investigated. The locations of all sections are shown on Plates 7, 8
and 10. The elevation and extent of overflow of the Intermediate Re-
gional and Standard Project Floods are indicated on the sections.

FLOOD DESCRIPTIONS
:.... . ,..

August 8, 1935
A major flood occurred in August 1935 which was re-
stricted mainly to the La Crosse River. From backwater computa-
tions confirmed by a high water mark at the Lang Drive Bridge, this
flood has been determined to be the largest of recent history for the
upper portion of the study reach. Below County Highway B, the 1935
crest was exceeded by backwater from the April 1965 flood on the
Mississippi River. The April 1965 flood and other large floods on
the Mississippi River which have caused coincidental flooding on the
La Crosse River are described in the discussion of the Mississippi
River.
The following excerpts from newspaper accounts on the
1935 flood indicate its severity:

THE LA CROSSE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, August 6, 1935
TERRIFIC STORM DOES HEAVY DAMAGE

Highways and Railroads Impaired
After Four Hour Rainfall Totaling 2.29 Inches

"Lashing western Wisconsin for four hours Monday night,
a terrific rain storm of near cloudburst proportions caused untold
damage, washing out eight highway bridges and six approaches in six
counties, sweeping away two dams, and wrecking railroad and tele-
phone communication."
"When the La Crosse River began to leave its banks, res-
cue crews transported persons clad in night garments from their res-
idences to high ground, where they were cared for by a sympathetic
populace.

"The storm began in La Crosse at 9 p.m., continuing
until 1:25 a.m. During that period 2.29 inches of rain fell, bringing

the total since 7 a.m. Monday to 2.64 inches. Since Aug. 1 the
precipitation here has totalled 6. 43 inches."
"The North Western routed its trains east of La Crosse
over side tracks to skirt the damage zone. "
"There was general telephone trouble in La Crosse.
Water covered most of the intersections, and many basements were
flooded.
"There were several washouts on Losey Boulevard and
Lang Drive.
"Lights in the city faded innumerable times during the
night, theater performances being interrupted four times.
"At the Keppel farm on Highway No. 16 east of the city,
huge rocks were swept down the bluff into the barnyard. It was said
weeks of labor would be necessary to remove the debris."

THE LA CROSSE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, August 7, 1935
STORM DAMAGE LISTED AT HALF MILLION

Thirty-Six Bridges in Five Counties
Swept by Floods; Railways Reroute Trains

"With upper reaches of dozens of western Wisconsin
streams again restored to their banks, flood waters from Monday
night's terrific rain storm Wednesday were sweeping south and west-
ward toward the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers, leaving in their
wake damage to railroads, highways, bridges, and real estate esti-
mated at upwards of $500, 000. "
"The La Crosse River, although within its banks at
Sparta, flooded the golf course and the bottoms north and east of
the city. The entire valley between La Crosse and West Salem was
a gigantic lake late Tuesday night.
"The rising La Crosse River badly washed the right of
way of the Milwaukee railroad between Medary and West Salem late

Tuesday afternoon, forcing that company to route its trains over the
North Western line between Sparta and La Crosse. Three bridges
of the North Western line between Medary and the city were badly
washed, and trains of that company were being routed over the tracks
of the Milwaukee from Medary to Grand Crossing. "
"The La Crosse River broke through the Gillette Street
road early Wednesday, washing out about 200 feet of the highway to
sweep over the public golf course grounds."

THE LA CROSSE TRIBUNE
Thursday, August 8, 1935
VAST AREA IN BOTTOMS EAST OF CITY FLOODED

Muddy Water of La Crosse River Drops

"La Crosse had its own flood Thursday, muddy waters of
the raging La Crosse River swirling through the bottom lands and
marshes bordering the city on the east and north.
"The entire area north of Myrick park was a vast lake
during the day, the water reaching its crest early in the morning.
By 11 o'clock it had dropped about one foot."
"The flood was the most severe experienced in the La
Crosse River valley here in years.
"Wednesday evening the water was near the top of Lang
Drive and the bridge of the North Western railroad. The drive and
railroad right of way served as dykes, impounding the water to create
the vast lake.'

STATE ROAD AND EBNER COULEES

The Streams and Their Valleys
State Road and Ebner Coulees drain adjacent watersheds
of approximately 6 and 1 square miles, respectively, on the east
side of the City of La Crosse as shown on Plate 1. Most of these
drainage areas lie in Shelby Township of La Crosse County with the
remainder located within the city limits of La Crosse. Both coulees
originate in the high bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River and
drain westward onto a sand and gravel plain before discharging into
the Mississippi River.
Headwaters of State Road Coulee are located approxi-
mately three miles east of the crossing of the main line of the
C. B. &Q. Railroad and State Highway 33. It flows westward for
about three miles and then south for about two miles where it passes
under the C. B. &Q. Railroad tracks and U. S. Highway 14 and 61 be-
fore discharging into the Mississippi River at Mile 693. 50. The
downstream reach of State Road Coulee is known locally as Pammel
Creek, but is referred to throughout this report as State Road Coulee.
Ebner Coulee begins in the bluff approximately 1. 5 miles
east of the C. B. &Q. Railroad Station in La Crosse. It flows west to
the C. B. &Q. tracks where an artificial channel carries it south along
the east side of the tracks into a 48-inch diameter storm sewer at
Farnam Street.
Rugged terrain characterizes the upper portions of both
basins which have rocky and steep sloped bluffs along either side. In
contrast, the lower reaches of the basins are part of a terrace with
gently sloping terrain. Elevations within the State Road Coulee water-
shed vary from about elevation 1260 in the upper reaches to approx-
imately 631 at the Mississippi River. Elevations for the Ebner Coulee
watershed range from about 1260 in the uplands to 655 at the inlet to
the storm sewer.

The gradient of State Road Coulee is about 140 feet per
mile through the upper 4.5 miles of its length. Downstream from
the Ward Avenue Bridge its rate of descent is reduced to 6 feet per
mile for the remaining 1.7 miles. Lower State Road Coulee is a
levied channel with a bankfull capacity of about 600 cfs. Along part
of this reach the channel bed is higher than adjacent natural ground
level.
Ebner Coulee has a gradient of about 340 feet per mile
through the upper 1.8 miles of its length. The descent rate dimin-
ishes to approximately 5 feet per mile as it drains southward through
the outwash terrace. A partially levied channel, concrete lined along
part of its length, conveys Ebner Coulee flow from near the base of
the foothills westward and southward along the valley bottom to the
storm sewer near Farnam Street and the C.B. &Q. Railroad tracks.
Maximum discharge capacity of the storm sewer is approximately
130 cfs with water level at bankfull stage within the channel.
State Road Coulee has four defined major tributary coulees
all in the upper portion of the basin outside of the study limits. Ebner
Coulee has no defined major tributaries.
Pertinent drainage areas of both State Road and Ebner
Coulees are presented in Table 8.

TABLE 8

DRAINAGE AREAS IN WATERSHED OF
,
STATE ROAD AND EBNER COULEES

River Drainage
Stream Location Mile Area

Sq. Mi.
State Road Coulee Mouth00 6
Hagen Road Bridge
Upper Study Limit 2.64 4. 5

Ebner Coulee Farnum Street
Storm Sewer Inlet 0. 00 1.0
Upper Study Limit 0. 88 0. 8

Developments in the Flood Plains
Plates 5, 6 and 7 show the approximate flood plain of
State Road and Ebner Coulees for the reach covered in this investi-
gation. The rugged terrain bordering the entire eastern side of La
Crosse has restricted most residential developments to the lower
terrace areas at the base of the bluff. As a result, the lower portions
of both the State Road and Ebner Coulee watersheds contain moder-
ately dense and relatively high valued residential developments.
Most of these developments are located within the city limits of La
Crosse with the remainder along the coulees in extreme western
Shelby Township. A few commercial and agricultural establish-
ments are also located within the lower areas of the watersheds.
Major developments include an outdoor theater adjacent to State
Road Coulee and a greenhouse north of Ebner Coulee. The Trane
Company, manufacturer of heating and air conditioning equipment,
recently built a research laboratory and administration building
near State Road Coulee at Ward Avenue. A La Crosse County home
for the aged is also located adjacent to State Road Coulee near Ward
Avenue.
In contrast, the upper reaches of the basins contain only
scattered residential developments located primarily near the coulee
bottoms. Practically all of the area along the slopes and on crests
of the rugged bluffs remain undeveloped and, for the most part,
wooded.

Bridges Across the Streams
State Road Coulee is crossed by eight bridges in the 2.64
mile study reach. These consist of two farm bridges, one foot bridge,
one railroad bridge and four vehicular traffic bridges. The 29th Street
Court Bridge is the only crossing over Ebner Coulee within the study
reach. Table 9 lists the bridges and their locations.

TABLE 9

BRIDGES ACROSS STATE ROAD AND EBNER COULEES

Miles
Above
Mouth Identification

State Road Coulee

0.37 Farm Bridge
0.38 U. S. Highway 14 and 61
0.41 C.B.&Q. Railroad
0. 50 Farm Bridge
0. 90 Broadview Place
1.92 Ward Avenue
2.26 Foot Bridge
2.64 Hagen Road

Ebner Coulee

0.88(1) 29th Street Court

(1) Miles Above Farnum Street.

Several of the bridges in the study region are severe ob-
structions to flow under flood conditions. A channel improvement
program currently underway by the Corps of Engineers will alleviate
this situation by removal, replacement or alteration of the bridges.

Obstructions to Flood Flow
The effect of obstructions due to the bridges across State
Road and Ebner Coulees has been discussed in the previous paragraph.
Other obstructions, including channel configuration and routing, will
be significantly reduced by the flood control project currently under-
way by the Corps of Engineers.

FLOOD SITUATION

Flood Records and Occurrences
There are no records of stream stages or discharges
available for State Road Coulee or Ebner Coulee. General informa-
tion was obtained from a search of historical documents and previous
studies, but no specific high water marks were determined. Because
of the comparatively recent suburban development in these watersheds,
potentially serious flood problems have existed only during the past
several years. Flood damage occurred in August 1959 from State
Road Coulee overflows and on several occasions since 1955 from
flooding along Ebner Coulee.

Duration and Rate of Rise
For small streams such as State Road and Ebner Coulees,
which drain steep rugged terrain, immediate rises are experienced
after heavy rainfall and crests occur shortly after the period of max-
imum rainfall intensity.

Velocities
Velocities in the channels of the two coulees may be ex-
pected to be dangerously high during flood conditions, especially in
the upper portions of the study reach. Overbank velocities will also
be substantial in the steep areas but will be relatively low in the
lower portions of these streams due to the large depths of inundation
and the flat terrain.

Flooded Areas
Plates 5, 6 and 7 show the approximate areas along
State Road and Ebner Coulees that would be inundated by a major
flood. It should be emphasized that this is a preliminary flood out-
line subject to change by current flood control projects.

FLOOD DESCRIPTIONS

During the flood periods, high discharges in the upper
portions of the watershed are usually contained in the steep grade
channels. However, widespread areas are subject to flooding in the
relatively flat terrain located downstream from the toe of the bluff
on Ebner Coulee and downstream from Hagen Bridge on State Road
Coulee. Existing levees along much of the channel of State Road
Coulee below Hagen Bridge prevent overbank flows from reentering
the channel. Thus, these flows move overland to the south before
entering into the State Road Coulee channel near the U. S. Highway
14 and 61 overpass. Overland flood depths from the coulees could
reach 5 feet.

FUTURE FLOODS

This section is a discussion of Standard Project Floods,
Intermediate Regional Floods and some of the hazards involved on
the Mississippi River and its tributaries in the vicinity of La Crosse,
Wisconsin. The Standard Project Flood represents a reasonable up-
per limit of expected flooding. The Intermediate Regional Flood rep-
resents floods that may reasonably be expected to occur more frequent-
ly, on the average of once every 100 years. Large floods have been
experienced in the past on streams in the general vicinity of La Crosse.
Heavy storms or spring runoff similar to those causing floods on other
streams in the region could occur over the Mississippi River water-
shed. In this event, floods would result comparable in size with those
experienced on neighboring streams. It is, therefore, desirable in
connection with any determination of future floods which may occur
on the Mississippi River and tributaries, to consider storms and
floods that have occurred in the region on watersheds with similar
topography, watershed cover and physical characteristics.

DETERMINATION OF INTERMEDIATE REGIONAL FLOODS

The Intermediate Regional Flood is defined as having an
average frequency of occurrence in the order of once in 100 years
at a designated location. The flood may occur in any year. Some
probability estimates are based on statistical analyses of stream
flow records for the watershed under study, but limitations in such
records require analyses of rainfall and runoff characteristics in the
"general region" of the area of study. The Intermediate Regional
Flood represents a major flood, although it is much less severe than
the Standard Project Flood.
The Intermediate Regional Flood for the Mississippi River
in the vicinity of La Cr.osse is based on a statistical analysis of the 97

years of records obtained at the Mt. Vernon Street gage in La Crosse.
For the La Crosse River at La Crosse, the 57 years of records cov-
ering the La Crosse River near West Salem, Wisconsin, have been
statistically analyzed. Transposition of this data to La Crosse was
made with consideration of the drainage area difference between the
two locations. The 57 years of record are sufficient to determine a
general frequency trend and to establish the 100-year frequency flood.
Table 10 lists the maximum known floods that have occurred on water-
sheds which are comparable with the Mississippi River and its tribu-
taries and are within the same geographical region.
The Intermediate Regional Flood represents a peak dis-
charge of 251, 000 cfs at the location of the Mt. Vernon Street gage
in La Crosse. A peak discharge of 9, 500 cfs is the magnitude of the
Intermediate Regional Flood for the La Crosse River at La Crosse.
These floods could be caused by snowmelt, heavy rains or a combi-
nation of the two. Peak discharges of the Intermediate Regional
Floods on the Mississippi and La Crosse Rivers are shown in Table
11.
Intermediate Regional Floods on the Mississippi River in
the reach investigated would be approximately 0. 6 feet lower than the
April 1965 flood of record at the Mt. Vernon Street gage. On the La
Crosse River, at U. S. Highway 53, an Intermediate Regional Flood
would be 0. 5 feet below the April 1965 flood which was the flood of
record at this location. At the County Highway B Bridge over the La
Crosse River, an Intermediate Regional Flood would be 0.6 feet higher
than the April 1965 flood and 0. 2 feet above the August 1935 flood which
represented the flood of record in the upper portion of the study reach.

DETERMINATION OF STANDARD PROJECT FLOODS

Only in rare instances has a specific stream experienced
the largest flood that is likely to occur. Severe as the maximum known

M- c Ln oo
** * *
(t dql d E ^oP c NLnU r- \oo 0 Ln N > N r o 0 oo
N CY -.O N CY M M Ln "j r". m O

0o m 00000 00000 00 0 c 00 00
t- C O o LO cn Looo crM N odcroc t r C C4

Ir n Osc 00O00N 1 _ r Cr) -

£££ e mO oO ~OCr) N r- Cy) Lf) Lno Ns "O L L
Ln In~ in oocO(t -o Lo ( o
aO aO 0x oLna, L) OnO "o o CYnou a,a O^a o
(ON CC, ON r4 CO C- oH a, O O
^oc^o >,- ^o or^ ^ ^ o^ ^< so^oo^
) O oo f^t C )o 00 CO^
N r ·r -4 P -q r -q r-4 D N -~-, N "O (, C) (ycc 1 0

r~~~~~~~00
·r(·rl~·lrrl·rl k44 k b D
H H w H >> w |_1 h h k h k @ o Q ; * k
(4 4) 04 CdC d a r d ddMCd

oo oo -t
O C) OC O 0 C)C)O CYn Lm 00 o c L ' o O cO Co 00
O O O O t t - M Ln) Rq r-I - o 0 t J t d
1 o0 (-I \0 0 o) N m *J "J LI
_ alO0 N
Lf)m

at
w

; _

An
¢
CO
U

lgf

O
0

C;1
0

(r;
w

ffl

CO
W

w
H
En

O
u)

O
Di
a

d 3 0> 3 °0.> °

· n0. d ,-4' rt

d d <d Cd ^ C ^ M
uzQ 4) 4°) W X a 4a) 4
z z -C -: z Qz :Q

.-I

k
Q)
*H
pa

k
4)

S T
t n*

.1.

*e<a
Q, mC

4- 4

<P
v ^

4)
Cdf

& .14
Cd Cd :C
.rTj k
Cdt a
;q E

t;
bc
k
Cd
u
rd-

Cd
Q)
P.,
2Z
c~
a~

u
rt ro r ^ c
^ ~ ~ r *«!.^.H .
C~~f ·~riH1

0 CdCt<:: o Q U ^
4- f.. o 0
cdC4-) 0 U
Cdi 0. M a0 C

*4-i 4-> + lfIJ O- <D <U -4»4») 4-^ 5
<! <; <; r- 4 sa u
U~~~~~~(B Cd 4)0 4
C cll 32 k Pi1~7f
crf cd z Q d Q

PI k

;~~ ~ ~~.' ~ O
k O ·rl> OH
~rk k a

~~~ 4i C.id
· ~.r.1 a> o > o %

~ ~~ ~ ~ ~' k cd a
n~~~~~~~~~~- o -S S r
Enco) PC4HF ) 0 f3LI^
.^r.4.A > P4 O k*--
·r.rl.H~t^>^rt k3ed U^ S^ ^

Q) P P 3 3 _: ) fl, L4 m Q
c3 a a PI 3 krl q)u 4- u,4 `4 --

t. Or- *MH*"j.H0>*H (^ *000 ° r-4S 0 Sr
r~ vlvl F1Fr; 0 4 k V 1 O O O PZ H P4

-rV1 V1 tn C ffl qHP lcni-4ron

TABLE 11

INTERMEDIATE REGIONAL FLOODS

PEAK DISCHARGES

River Drainage
Location Miles Area Discharge
Sq. Mi. cfs

Mississippi River
Mt. Vernon Street Gage 697.78 62,800 251,000

La Crosse River
Mouth 0.00 480 9,500

flood has been on any given stream, it is a commonly accepted fact that
in practically all cases a larger flood can and probably will occur at
some time in the future. The Corps of Engineers, in cooperation with
the Weather Bureau, has made broad and comprehensive studies and
investigations based on available records of historic storms and floods,
and has evolved generalized procedures for estimating the flood poten-
tial of streams. These procedures have been used in determining the
Standard Project Flood which is defined as the largest flood that can
be expected from the most severe combination of meteorological and
hydrological conditions that are considered reasonably characteristic
of the geographical region involved.
Estimates of Standard Project Flood discharges have been
made for the Mississippi River at the Mt. Vernon Street gage in La
Crosse and for the La Crosse River at its mouth. This information
is presented in Table 12.
The Standard Project Storm runoff for the Mississippi
River at the Mt. Vernon Street gage is approximately 4.3 inches and
represents spring conditions with both snowmelt and rainfall. For the
La Crosse River at La Crosse, the Standard Project Storm rainfall is
3.94 inches in 2 hours, 7. 43 inches in 6 hours, 9. 52 inches in 24 hours,
and a total of 12.24 inches in 96 hours.

TABLE 12

STANDARD PROJECT FLOODS

PEAK DISCHARGES

River Drainage
Location Miles Area Dis charge
Sq. Mi. cfs

Mississippi River
Mt. Vernon Street Gage 697.78 62,800 375,000

La Crosse River
Mouth 0.00 480 60,500

Frequency
It is not practicable to assign a frequency to the Standard
Project Flood. The occurrence of such a flood would be a rare event;
however, it could occur in any year.

Possible Larger Floods
Floods larger than the Standard Project Flood are possible;
however, the combination of factors that would be necessary to pro-
duce such floods rarely occur. The consideration of floods of this
magnitude is of greater importance in some problems than in others
but should not be overlooked in the study of any problem.

HAZARDS OF GREAT FLOODS

The amount and extent of damage caused by any flood de-
pends in general upon the extent of area flooded, height of flooding,
velocity of flow, rate of rise and duration of flooding.

Areas Flooded and Heights of Flooding
The areas along the Mississippi River and tributaries
flooded by the Standard Project Flood and the Intermediate Regional
Flood are shown on Plates 5 through 10. An index for these maps

is presented on Plate 4. Depth of flow at a particular point can be
estimated from the crest profiles which are shown on Plates 11 and
12.
The profiles for the streams were computed using stream
characteristics for selected regions as determined from observed
flood profiles, topographic maps and valley cross sections from a
1968 survey by the Corps of Engineers. Two profiles are presented
on Plate 12 for the Intermediate Regional Flood on the La Crosse
River. One profile represents the water surface which would be
reached if the La Crosse River dikes between U. S. Highway 53 and
Lang Drive are high enough to retain the flood waters. The other
profile, which assumes the dikes will fail, represents the condition
most likely to occur and, therefore, is the basis for the flooded area
maps and other information presented in this report. The- elevations
shown on Plates 11 and 12, and the overflow areas shown on Plates
5 through 10, have been determined with an accuracy consistent with
the purposes of the study and the accuracy of the basic data.
The profiles of the Standard Project Flood and the Inter-
mediate Regional Flood depend in part upon the degree of destruction
or clogging of various bridges during the flood. Because it is impos-
sible to forecast these events, it has been assumed that all bridge
structures would stand and that no clogging would occur.
The Standard Project Flood profile for the Mississippi
River is approximately 3. 5 feet higher than the April 1965 flood.
For the La Crosse River the Standard Project Flood profile aver-
ages nearly 7. 5 feet higher than the August 1935 flood with the maxi-
mum difference in elevation occurring in the constricted flood plain
near the mouth. For calculation of the Intermediate Regional Flood and
Standard Project Flood profiles for the La Crosse River, it has been
assumed that coincidental flooding will occur on the Mississippi Riv-
er. This tends to further separate the crests of the projected floods
and the 1935 flood in the lower section of the La Crosse River.

The Intermediate Regional Flood profile for the Mis-
sissippi River averages 0.6 feet lower than the April 1965 flood.
For the La Crosse River the Intermediate Regional Flood profile
averages nearly 2. 0 feet higher than the August 1935 flood. Both
of the profiles for the Intermediate Regional Flood assumed coin-
cidental flooding on the Mississippi River.
Figures 10 through 22 on the following pages show the
heights that would be reached by the Standard Project and Interme-
diate Regional Floods on facilities presently existing within the
flood plain in the vicinity of La Crosse. Elevations of the flood
of record are also shown.

Velocities, Rate of Rise, and Duration
Water velocities during the floods depend largely upon
the size and shape of the cross section, the condition of the stream
and the bed slope, all of which vary on different streams and at dif-
ferent locations on the same streams.
Table 13 lists the maximum velocities that would occur
in the main channel and overbank areas of the Mississippi and La
Crosse Rivers during the Intermediate Regional Floods.

TABLE 13

INTERMEDIATE REGIONAL FLOODS

MAXIMUM VELOCITIES

Maximum Velocities
'Stream Location Channel Overbank
Ft. per Sec. Ft. per Sec.

Mississippi River -- 6.0 2.0

La Crosse River Section 27 5.5
Section 25 1
1.2

Figure 10. --FLOOD HEIGHTS AT STEPHANS RESTAURANT

This location is along U. S. Highway 14 and 61 south of La Crosse.
The base of the staff gage is above past floods and the Intermediate
Regional Flood; however, it is within the flood plain of the Standard
Project Flood.

Figure 11. --FLOOD HEIGHTS AT D.S. ELECTRIC SUPPLY

This building is just above the level reached by the April 1965 flood
and it is also above the Intermediate Regional Flood. During a Stand-
ard Project Flood; however, the water would be over 3 feet deep in
front of the building.

Figure 12. - -FLOOD HEIGHTS AT HOLIDAY INN

While this location on Barron Island was successfully protected
against the April 1965 flood, the arrow shows the level to which
flood waters would have risen if the dikes had failed. The levels
which may be expected during the Intermediate Regional and Stand-
ard Project Floods are also shown.

1965 FL O

Figure 13.--FLOOD HEIGHTS AT W. A. ROOSEVELT BUILDING

This structure was severely damaged when flood waters in April 1965
washed out the foundation under the northwest corner. The building,
which is located at the corner of Front and Vine Streets, has since
been repaired but would be subject to future floods as shown on the
photograph.

Figure 14.--FLOOD HEIGHTS AT RIVERSIDE PARK

In April 1965 the entire park was flooded to the level shown. During
a Standard Project Flood the crest would dampen the moccasins of
this picturesque statue.

Figure 15. --FLOOD HEIGHTS
AT FISH CONTROL LABORATORY

The Fish Control Laboratory which is located adjacent to Riverside
Park was flooded in 1965. Levels of additional flooding which may
be expected during the Intermediate Regional and Standard Project
Floods are shown on the phonograph.

Figure 16.--FLOOD HEIGHTS
AT SEVEN-UP BOTTLING COMPANY

This location at the corner of Moore and Avon Streets in North La
Crosse was subject to the April 1965 flood, and because of its low
elevation will again be affected by the Intermediate Regional and
Standard Project Floods. A depth of 8. 5 feet may be expected dur-
ing the latter.

Figure 17.--FLOOD HEIGHTS
AT LAKESHORE DRIVE AND KIME STREET

The depth of flooding which may be expected at this location on French
Island is nearly 4 feet during the Standard Project Flood. Flooding
was experienced in the residential area directly west of this intersec-
tion in April 1965 and it will also be affected by the Intermediate Re-
gional Flood.

Figure 18. --FLOOD HEIGHTS
AT CAUSEWAY BOULEVARD AND SUMNER STREET

Flooding at this location in North La Crosse was apparent in 1965 as
the water depth exceeded 5 feet. Depths of water which may be antic-
ipated during the Intermediate Regional and Standard Project Floods
are 4.7 and 9.6 feet, respectively.

Figure 19. --FLOOD HEIGHTS ALONG U. S. HIGHWAY 53

This view looking north along U. S. Highway 53 (Copeland Avenue) in
North La Crosse shows the heights reached by flood waters in April
1965. Also projected on the photograph are the heights of the Inter-
mediate Regional and Standard Project Floods for this commercial
area.

Figure 20. --FLOOD HEIGHTS ALONG LANG DRIVE

In 1965, flood waters were restricted from this area by a temporary
dike; however, the level which would have been reached is shown on
this photograph. Substantially greater flooding with depths greater
than 6 feet will be expected at this location during the Standard Project
Flood. The view is looking north from the Lang Drive Bridge over the
La Crosse River.

Figure 21. --FLOOD HEIGHTS
AT WOOD AND ST. JAMES STREETS

Flood waters at this housing development were curtailed in 1965 by a
temporary system of dikes which allowed only seepage water to enter
the area. The level of flood waters outside the dikes is shown on the
photograph. Levels which may be encountered during the Intermediate
Regional and Standard Project Floods are also shown.

1965 FLOOD IT REG. FLOD

Figure 22. --FLOOD HEIGHTS
AT CONTINENTAL CAN COMPANY

At this location along St. James Street, the Intermediate Regional
Flood may be expected to reach a depth of 1.6 feet and the Standard
Project Flood will exceed 7.5 feet.

Table 14 lists the maximum velocities that would occur
in the main channel and overbank areas of the Mississippi River and
the La Crosse River during the Standard Project Flood.

TABLE 14

STANDARD PROJECT FLOODS

MAXIMUM VELOCITIES

.Maximum Velocities
Stream Location Channel Overbank
Ft. per Sec. Ft. per Sec.

Mississippi River -- 8.0 3.0

La Crosse River Section 27 8.5
Section 27 3.0

Table 15 lists the total rise (low water to crest), maximum
rate of rise, time of rise and duration above bankfull stage of the Inter-
mediate Regional Flood for the Mississippi River and the La Crosse Riv-
er.

TABLE 15

INTERMEDIATE REGIONAL FLOODS

RATES OF RISE AND DURATION

Height
of
Location Rise
Ft.

Mississippi R. Mt. Vernon St. 12. 7

Time
of
Rise
Days

14. 0

Maximum
Rate
of Rise
Ft. per Day

1.6

La Crosse R.

U. S. Hwy. 53 12.0

Table 16 lists the total rise (low water to crest), maxi-
mum rate of rise, time of rise and duration above bankfull stage for
the Standard Project Flood for the Mississippi River and the La Crosse
River.

TABLE 16

STANDARD PROJECT FLOODS

RATES OF RISE AND DURATION

Height
of
Location Rise
Ft.

Time
of
Rise
Days

Maximum
Rate
of Rise
Ft. per Day

Mississippi R.

La Crosse R.

Mt. Vernon St. 16.8

U. S. Hwy. 53 22.0

Rapid rates of rise and high stream velocities in combi-
nation with deep, fairly long duration flooding create a hazardous
situation in developed areas. Velocities greater than 3 feet per sec-
ond combined with depths of 3 feet or greater are generally considered
hazardous.

Stream

Duration
Above
Bankfull
Days

27. 0

1.5

8. 0

2.5

Stream

Duration
Above
Bankfull
Days

15. 0

2. 5

1.6

35. 0

8. 8

5.0

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Discharge. The quantity of flow in a stream at any given
time, usually measured in cubic feet per second (cfs).

Flood. An overflow of lands not normally covered by water,
that are used or usable by man. Floods have two essential character-
istics: The inundation of land is temporary; and the land is adjacent to
and inundated by overflow from a river or stream or an ocean, lake,
or other body of standing water.
Normally a "flood" is considered as any temporary rise
in stream flow or stage, but not the ponding of surface water, that
results in significant adverse effects in the vicinity. Adverse effects
may include damages from overflow of land areas, temporary back-
water effects in sewers and local drainage channels, creation of unsan-
itary conditions or other unfavorable situations by deposition of mate-
rials in stream channels during flood recessions, rise of ground water
coincident with increased stream flow, and other problems.

Flood Crest. The maximum stage or elevation reached by
the waters of a flood at a given location.

Flood Peak. The maximum instantaneous discharge of a
flood at a given location. It usually occurs at or near the time of the
flood crest.

Flood Plain. The relatively flat area or low lands adjoin-
ing the channel of a river, stream or watercourse or ocean, lake, or
other body of standing water, which has been or may be covered by
flood water.

Flood Profile. A graph showing the relationship of water
surface elevation to location, the latter generally expressed as dis-
tance above mouth for a stream of water flowing in an open channel.
It is generally drawn to show surface elevation for the crest of a
specific flood but may be prepared for conditions at a given time or
stage.

Flood Stage. The stage or elevation at which overflow of
the natural banks of a stream or body of water begins in the reach or
area in which the elevation is measured.

Head Loss. The effect of obstructions, such as narrow
bridge openings or buildings that limit the area through which water
must flow, raising the surface of the water upstream from the ob-
struction.

Hydrograph. A curve denoting the discharge or stage of
flow over a period of time.

Intermediate Regional Flood. A flood having an average
frequency of occurrence in the order of once in 100 years, at a desig-
nated location, although the flood may occur in any year. It is based
on statistical analyses of streamflow records available for the water-
shed.

Left Bank. The bank on the left side of a river, stream,
or water course, looking downstream.

Low Steel. The lowest point of a bridge or other structure
over or across a river, stream, or water course that limits the open-
ing through which water flows.

Right Bank. The bank on the right side of a river, stream,
or water course, looking downstream.

Standard Project Flood. The flood that may be expected
from the most severe combination of meteorological and hydrological
conditions that is considered reasonably characteristic of the geo-
graphical area in which the drainage basin is located, excluding ex-
tremely rare combinations.

AUTHORITY, ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, AND
.INTERPRETATION OF DATA

This report has been prepared in accordance with the
authority granted by Public Law 86-645 (Flood Control Act of 1960).

Assistance and cooperation of the U. S. Weather Bureau,
U. S. Geological Survey, Wisconsin State Highway Department, City
of La Crosse and private citizens in supplying useful information are
appreciated.

This report presents the local flood situation for La Crosse,
Wisconsin. The St. Paul District of the Corps of Engineers will pro-
vide, upon request, interpretation and limited technical assistance in
application of data presented herein.

This report was prepared by Stanley Consultants, Inc.,
Muscatine, Iowa, International Consultants in Engineering, Archi-
tecture, Planning and Management, for the St. Paul District, Corps
of Engineers.

L V..5

LEGEND:

OVERFLOW LIMITS
Z l-- I ~~Stondord
_ Intermediate -Project
_- Regionol Flood Flood

Miles Above Mouth

DB-

Cross Section

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
ST. PAUL DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS

ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA

FLOODED AREA

AND TRIBUTARIES

VICINITY OF LACROSSE, WISCONSIN

1000

L~;kC-l0 100

2000 FEET

APRIL, 1970

SHEET I OF 6

PLATE 5

:X;.

:12_=

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

1000

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
ST. PAUL DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA

FLOODED AREA

OVERFLOW LIMITS
Standard
_ intermediate Project
LRegional Flood Flood

MISSISSIPPI RIVER
AND TRIBUTARIES
VICINITY OF LACROSSE, WISCONSIN
1000 0 1000 2000 FEET

Miles Above Mouth

Cross Section

APRIL, 1970

SHEET 2 OF 6

PLATE 6

LEGEND:

®--

LEGEND:

OVERFLOW LIMITS
Standard
Intermediate Project
Regional Flood Flood

Miles Above Mouth

Cross Section

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
ST. PAUL DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA

FLOODED AREA

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

AND TRIBUTARIES

VICINITY OF LACROSSE, WISCONSIN

1000

2000 FEET

APRIL, 1970

SHEET 3 OF 6

PLATE 7

1000

Y i

E----

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
ST. PAUL DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA

FLOODED AREA

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

AND TRIBUTARIES

VICINITY OF LACROSSE, WISCONSIN

1000

2000 FEET

APRIL, 1970

SHEET 4 OF 6

LEGEND:

OVERFLOW LIMITS
'~ i-- Stondord
_ Intermediote Project
_ERegional Flood Flood

Miles Above Mouth

l--

Cross Section

_~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~E HE E HE

LEGEND:

OVERFLOW LIMITS
0 _---------- Standard
_ Intermediate Project
Regionol Flood Flood

Miles Above Mouth

Cross Section

DEPARTMENT
ST. PAUL DISTRICT,
ST. PAUL,

FLOODED

OF THE
CORPS OF
MINNESOTA

ARMY
ENGINEERS

AREA

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

AND TRIBUTARIES

VICINITY OF LACROSSE, WISCONSIN

1000

4:Rfpa
. I 11 "

2000 FEET

APRIL, 1970

SHEET 3 OF 6

SEE SHEET 4

E-D

" '.. H

1-
w.
U-1
X
(C)
Lu
Lw
U)

IU
LU
()

PLATE 9

m -·r -- i Q

SEE SHEET 6

iBgt

__z

- P

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
S. PAUL DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS

ILAI C IU

77 ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~A
66 O0 TTO77g7t66
-- -- --- - --- I L7 0. 7
7-~~~~~. ~ 4) S I W s O S N-

i f L E *!J7 747F L O OR7E - E -79

~~0 W 5 T E E L 1 E L E V 6 9 0 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~L O W ..,.JE L .~E E V .

1 -7 , ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

650 - -OW V tI

- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~RNC FLO, 2
- I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I

!fLoO , OF, A C RD - AP I S6

6404~ " 44tAT R7e '$4A TL77

IIIIIII-I, - I-I,,,,-,-,-,-,IIL,: ,- f , II
-1_11-- 1111-1-1-11 1-111, -- I I...... .. .... .... -, ... -- I .- I l ,-- II------ 7.11 1-1- 1111--11-11--,'', ,-, ,-,, --- ,,,I__ -i
-; -:' N , -.,.-,_-,__-_ - - ... .. , , , ,,, ----__111 I .l ,,, -_l-'_l_-,-'ll ,--- ','- -_`-1-4 .111. I- ........ ____411 ... .... __ I ,I * , ', -1 _- , - ,,,,, -1111, 1 ---- 1, __l_. ____ . I-.- --, ,,, ,,,,I II II- I I'll
; iIII" "I I'll 111.1 I " II''I :; -:- -: ; ! " ,, ''Il",-i------,--i 11IIII'
I,I11--- __ 7'' I ,11IIti.1 - III- -1 _____l I
-1IIIq11 I I-I ,I
"r- -II . I I,III;I
__'_-__---,-- ----_I- -11I- "I"I ", , - ,i, --- _ J_ ., , ..... _"__a,_ ,I ,,_-, -, , 'J'_ .... .. ."', ,,,,,,,,,,,, 7-i ,, ] LL,,___, i : .... I'll, ,, _, - "I
--III11III II1; 11 I,III"I -II1.-,11 II I: ,,
11,III I11 :, 11 lI I ow . I- 11I
I'.:: -, _L,'__ , I ,,,;
lll
,_-_- 1.11_ -111 1-11 --_I:,, _ -, __ - , ,"._:" - L -- -_ _1 ,I11 _c)IIIII''IIIIe-I 1:
", , _,,-1I_- -_ ,V " _ -1 ____-- - - "I L _., ,,,-,-,,, __ _-1 _-1_11- _",,
, 1 I'. I ,I I I -I"-- "' " :=' , "=-, --.... . .. 7- - ,x--r __I: --" "', -, __ ",I-, - "v--- ", I"",, - " -_ ", I ": , , , -II _1.111_l
.,, ,. "I : ,:1-I I 11 ; I r-,,-I.,II
II '! o ,,, , ,,1_ 1, III'llI-II II Iz"II--IID I 11 I II
,II:, ,,_. -I -11 ""I 11 -1 I I, , __ ",_II- I - II1 11 II
v ': ,- -, ':I,11,, rII - ,, -",..I11II II ,,I 1-IIII-1-1II1..I;I11
--, , I II.lllI1.7IIII
,--_-I1. - "I, __ -,,:,-.I
I elII11 1I,II,,,II",l-: -qi
- Il- I --- I II II.II I - lll_11_1. -,I " , .. .... _: ........-- ----- I'll , : I, --11,11, __--l __rr : ,. ,I
a
, I.,,, 11 ''I 1,._ - IIII I "I: ': ,,
iI-"'I ,I-1I,._,__---: :::-1 -JLL= ..... . ._. I ,l IL _- ll-7... 1 - I-E- 11 ll_l -"IiI I 1 - 11 - .1 I II -1 _; .... 11II -11 , ,"' 141. -I ,"
11-11-11111_111-1111-11 _- -- -1 - ,i-- ---- -_ -_ ll-o::,-: , 11 ,__ - I - --- ''I'll.I-1 11111. -4--_.,_ II--- I'll -.1-1111111;A- ,,_],-, ,,.- 11 " ___ _ ... __V.- I,-'_ , , "" 11 '',-
4
I ;I, I,41111III_I,,,;I,:,IIIIII,
I-iIII III11I:- I- , ""IIII I -III
Ii I-. I--IIII,
II II:1" II l I 11 _11 I III11-,"I ,11III.I 11l l,-:E F -I.1I-,I I.q
,,, .i:;II11 IIIi - ,I - , ;''--: L=. L:_', il ... ... _L___,,__L,,E - ., 1."
i-,' ,n _. 11: -1111 -,I- --, -__ _ . .... .. .. ....... .... I---- -.,-.,__-l- 11-1 1. 11 ,,, _,_--__--- ---., , 1. 1-1--1.11711- llIll-J___,_',_,,] ...-1 -__ll-1__-_-__ ", _--__-L_,_ __ _1 _., -- --I',-- - I-1, -,- I I'll I "I I------ " -I I'll 111-11- -_,-- - - - - ------- , - _'- - - Ill: I I 11 - . I 7, I , , " __ __ _]_ ., --- - 4 -_ ---- -1- __." , I.,--: I11 -1111-11 I
, II , ,, Tz,,-t- 7,, - t- 17 __,,_,_ _ 11 I ''I'll, 11 - ,I"I _ I':I---': I I - I I I .I-7 I111- '_,7-7__--,II ,,Ill I"I 11 I I11II
,
I-I ,I- I., I ,>1I_ I
N
, 1 w : ! I - .11-1 II I.- I I-1 I 1. ,II11I I .', , _I''III ,,, - -1 - i.-,,, - I-,!" ,IlII -1-:IIIi
II,,= :"I : I - II II... II:"I "I -,: 11I
I -A.II I ;, _ _7-- ,III11-:I11 ''II, ,II II
11 1 II--,,
m
"I , . --- -_L- -- -I., ''I I--- I-- , . -- ....... -- ... , , ': I - I _11- ,,,, -_ ,,, 11 -11 11 _ -111 -1-11 I- +- I " --- ,, - -- , ,.I ,-,,, - 1-11 -11-1-1- - 111- 11 I lli__4 ..... _1_1-1- 1. -'Al 111-1 .. ..... -_ --- ,,, ,, " I II ,-"ll-,'ll""I,--,-,""",,-,,, _ 1__, _1_11111-1111--I,. __ , ________ I-II11
-
1--,,-- -,,I
-, ;111II I''I I II II--- l: - "I.1I11 11 I -: II1, _, ,,It.- -1 -II.llIIIIIII11II
"I.I11II L'- lI I Ilz ql ,,,, j ,:I , -,I IL, I ,"I -11 - II
.Il-11III 1,-11--;,_III
11 11 .1 I II-I,, . :, :1:1-;I 1I11;,III-
-i II:: I: - I-jI11I11-II,'_x,-1 I-;I1.-;1__', ''.1 ... ,,TI_ I IIII- I.:,I:
I11 l 11-III, 1 , ,IIIIt :,,I- ': z1,I I
- - -7-,-__ ... .-,- 11 _ .... .. _,z,, ...... -V-1177_1111 -Il- -_ -_ 7-I..". :-1 --, ... , I ",',"I", -_', - ,I- ----.,e,

---1.1 _11-11111-1-11-111- I I - - _;l--l__ ---,". - I -_______l -".,-",-",","",,,l-l,--,-",III-1 11-1 ---", - II- -J-
___,_ __-- --
,-_"I- ----- --,------- - ,,: ,, ==-,-, , -' , --, --, -,-.-!' r , - I--__",Ii
1:vIIII''I"11--1II-I-,I.:,--11 I 1.. 11;I
I -I11-1 11I1-1- II
_,qI-"IIlI,,,I ;- 11 71 I-,, -_,,'',",
I t''I - I,Ii
.i
. 1: -11 -,
I-_H ',::j - :: I I; -- lII, I I-
;., ,11,,IIIII I?," ,": II II I.I
'.II I- ." ]---",I II 11II.lI-11I
,-_',-.I I- III11 I -II1. I 11 11,. . .t, .I"-1iI-
IIIjI11,Is;11 "II-I1,I
I,,I
--I;I ;--I11 "I"1111IA-_ -1I -z:::, :: ._v :__,I
,,,,- i , i 7:'Il I -I II 11 , I I +,-I IIII
I II-I----"-, _111-111111 _Il -_11 11 _1 1-1 , "_-_'-l_-II I", - - ,,-, "', "" , ,,, -- r11IIJl II -1
.I ,, ,II_1. I, , -, - ,11 t - --1.1-1- I, , " _`_"
''I ,. -,- 1r] LL
- -- --_,'__ ,___ ,,, ,1. - ,:___ 1, I , - -, I.- ,, -- ---- -- - -... L.: "-_-_--, ,, 11 _ -L, 1____j _ - L, - , , :,""', _ ,,"I -I - 11_1__,, ....... .J"', , a__11-1 r _ 1, _ - I.I :-_ - ----
-:1"IiIII III1;v11 11II,"-.l ''''IIII I__ "FD I"' II- 11 II 11 I I, 2 1 111 .1 -- - ,i 1,
U)
Ie11 I IL11 11I- I5,::-. :::: ,- -,,, ., _, -,':l , I".,l .I11.I;I11I11
If-"7., - t,-11,II : 1I';II ,,III;i,,, ,.,:, - - :, ,,I,
I,I,-III,, - ,I I.I II-,II I, ': - -. I.I"II -lI
III IIIIII II)I11I--,I_:_ _u __ -_- 11,
4_11-1,1- -11111-11., L___ , LLL __ _:,f -,.,.,,' ;- - -1 ,,tq- -1_1--1_,,. .- t:-11Z, __J - '_'_-'-l-,,- ----, ___ ... -_ . , ,
-I---- .-l-.ll-_____ __. __._____-,.______ "=', ,-- =1- II- 71_ , , , l _11_`_,:_- -,, -. - -_ '_,-11- 11 .I- 11 1, -, Ol -'- "I'll I I . 11
__ - 1 1-1 - --- --- 1-1 -11 -1_111 _,_ __ , _____,le` ll--111-1111.11-1111111 m-1-111-1- , - _---_-_- _- ___i I.I,--l,,-11,,-""--,lI "I", ,e_' 111_11_11- k, --zLI"
"I)_: I '. l , - , 11 11 .,,I1 , 1, _-_ , ,-11 11 11 ll,__ I_,.tl I 1; - I I,i :p ,,, , , -,", - 7
i
I I11 ll:11 II111 _,J II I: , '_ :,,,!
:II, ,". , ,,.I, ,_,- ,rIII I `,:_Z'ZLIIL ,I ,,x 1. .-,0
,-''I 11i ,,-1,-I. 1-1.
III"II11 ,II 1.IIII,II11I II--- I I-II .;II 11 ,1:-I..1111,I 11I -II
'_ _11 I.--- -, I-, ___, -, I"'.], "" ,", - , " __ L_ " - ... - ____ "I'It'll",'I'll-",--,--,5-.-,-"",: ___-__ ,_ ,, I-,I1111Ii"I'llI-,,: :_ m 11 _, , II--.,. "I I A, : , , , _I. II
I 11 I.- 71AII 11 II11 11 11 ,-I 11 _L,]_:, I I I "I 11 I _ ........ ,,_.:_, _ .+ _ __ ....... - __ - __ -''I 111. 1. 1-17.- I- 1-11IC-1111111 -.1 -1, 'Al ,"l- __ .. .. ... .. .. ',._ A _- ,,, . .... ., _ ,______ __ .-e ,L_- F.II,lL
,",__:_ L:--_- ,Y,__,_--1 11 f, , .,, -- -,.-"...111, I--- _:, L -_-_ .11 - I_ -I
II"I -1I-III-I-l X, . -11 11, - ",_",, , "'' - ",_I11 11,III, I I
-"III -,"' , IyI IIII-Ii ::cIIII 1 II I,- -I"II'll il 1, _. -,,II-,II11IIII>-- 1,
IiII,- ,,,IIIIoll5Ii-;I11,,-,_11 1.III
'
r-,I
r1_11-__l_ 1,-,7--'--- ,--:T -7ii-.-7-,-,,,---7,-,'7'7-,- --7 -I--,-,,-,- 1-_'III
_tI I_I, , i -:,-'-,R'_
II.1I+ I1, ,, ,-4,II II
_
- I-=-, --I=k;l 44;LL; "11II-
I
630
,C,w.5-I'll 11 I--- I IeII11 1 11 -11IIIII,II11III11III IIII1,I-I-Ii,
IIIIIIIIIIII- I -I,:I-I I--I- I-,II
III., -dl I - -11 1. i . :: ir , : z - : : , I ,'I-.
," ,, _.I,'_,-_- _ ''I " I lll f - 1, I'--i1, . 11 ,.I.,II.,
,1 , , I I. I,,j
I,Iji I - , ,,, ,:
w
,,I`,i , 1-1 I -- 11 , 111. - --I
II I__1 w, I _ _!._Ai_ : I 1_1__L- 11-_,_.'",- _,"',"m ",-1, - J, ,, "
,qI1-11-1-1.1-1-1-1-11- II
LL
II'llII-"I 11IIII,,,I-II I 11 _11_II11I,; Il:1Ii I, il
-1. i, ",,I11I--_; I I6- 11I,I"I rI-1, ,,,I-- F , " __- - -,-, t`, " -_t ft:, _, : ,I - :, -,,
, :: , :,I"II,0-1 ,4: _e, ,I I -,IIIII II
I.II11-I-1"-z--
,i"` - "" "J'' ,,I'' :-= 1-I ,,
11pIiI2,, I, -1III11IIIII."I- I.1 ", ",II lxII 11 1 ,',-,: '. "'II
,,,--r; ,iI I____IjII -11 11.IIII:,:,,z cn - : , I -,,,,,", .,t
,II'll -151-1 -11,,y'_ .... c_ __ "la _, - --l-L-1 -- I - -1-1 I- 11 I- -, --
,,, --, 7 " -- _-, -11.- 1.1-111-.-14_V-111 _ ... ..... ___U___-Ill ,- ll:l -1 - __ -:1 -1 i I -1-11 1-1-11 I- - -_1__.lll--_l_-_- . I 11T " -,,____ _, --- -,i_, ,=_Aa_ E,, _-_ 111111_11,_- -, 1_.L_LLL, 11 -,.-- " __-7,=- -- , , . -__ ,11
I. ::, -, '' .I I I I -11 --, ,-, ,,-_____,__ "'. ""." -.11-- --- .. ..... -.-.,.--_,_-
f. `t- I. I--" "Il 11 1. I 11 II .1 t 11 I ,-,I'll,.1,''I'll 11 --I'll, - - , I , _- . ,- ,,Jao , 1 ,, - ,""" ,-_ 111.I"I
11 I lI ll- II'61 Ill -7-1 '' '' I I I - ".--_=:::: L t_- , ,_ , ''W"', _Il i, , ", __II II
-I- - I,,_,_, 11 , , :, , v- -I,,,
TIi I- - jIII,-III111- II, , , 'l -,I
I 11 4 I ,,-" ,-i -" IIlk I , : :, -' , ,, ,.... '. i" , 1,, - I 1 II I , ,I, , _; ' ' II I I
Z
,,411-1-1. _W_ __ I - I.. .... --, -,- -- -- -, - II 111.111- "I - _ -_ -_ I---- ------- .... ", . I ,- - -11, _11_1-----, _- I -I.I-_ 1-1 _11-11, _ , +'_- 1111111_11-11-1 11-1 1-11I---1-111--
II-'a L ' , "" - _ ,II
I III II III4v .1 I- - I I- 1-1111 I -1 I-.-;I, "I :: ",I -- I;II
IA, -1 ," -- 11 141Iir w ... ...... .....---
,,,, ,, , ,,eII11IIII
IiI 11 _ ,--III
, i,-11Il I -I I 1. I e ,II- II: I4_-: :11 ,I 11 11;; _1 "1
I - "I I -1 I II I1- , " _,, II' =,' I , I:, is-- --11-I11 II(DI'll 11
i, '' II III I. InlIII I : ", :311-::: , 1,- :: ;, ,,, IIIIII
-_- ,,L : ,,,,,,,,L,,,.,-,,-,"I -1 I,_L II L, _. ..... __"'"llZll -1-11 -1111.1-1 "I'll-I-_ "i, " , "I -1 11'II _ 1 _",_ i , ,!,,-1 -1 ---- IlL-__,iE_ "L, - 1-1111I
-1 __I'l - I -1 III"`--_,IJ ll__-Fll_-- "I'll,;_,,,,""",,."",--,---,",--,-,-".,,-,,1-1- ,-,,,-,- -,-",,l"..'ll,,,-,,"-A",,',L<,-- %;L ", " W_ __11 ll I- , 1, =:_ll..l-_ - I - :: - - 11 -----.-.,.,
, , - -_--__ , ",:,-:1 I-I,, " - ,c - I-- , -_ - -1 .1I_111_--___, '11I, 717 I11I
:, , , , "_ 6,L _, ,I,,W, "Ii1.1-1 11 I I I ,e,-l I -I11 . I z-,,, ,I
:+- I1 4,, I II- I, II ::III 11 II : " : - I,- - ,-
: ,I ;-IIII-11-I ItI-III l--114 11,01","j--,,II I1
41IIr 11I''II 1.. II"III-..-14II = 1 , ":1-,"I I.I
"I'll-_-__-_-____-_ - ,I- -11-11-11,II;_ -- __ ,:,I,,-1-1 - I--- -:, ,w ,11 1: FUE-I,", -1 l I'll--- 11
z
0
'' : t ,II15 fv ,
`_,, ,I:11. I
.11 -"II11,III11
, ,,-,I11Il II11 -II-I
Ia,,I I, III II- 11II 11II'll I ni11 1, -I-I-1I1, " III1. 1-1II-
I IllI.I I II11; I -,I11 ,,, I- I II,,I ,, - - l - I
IIII I11 II I11 _,11 11 I I-11II 1'', I11 11 4i , "'alr ,i 11-< I I", I",
I , I T.41zi_ 1, , -- ,
-_-- . ... ll_-_-"", ol . ........-_.; - ", .... . .. ,-., ,, I - I" - 'l- I -- 1-1 I -- 111.11.1111--,,. '' ',,__:,___-,_ ,-"".i"",,,,,-,],,Zii,.,,-,, I_,
I'7"r- -l''--,-,--,-,----:--,,tl--'- ---------' ,,,
_._ Ij lI--_- -II:1 ''I,,= - I- II
I'll, I- :41- I
,IIiI I I II'llI"-I ,I
,, ''_ j : :1 ::,-1111 I 1 I I::II lII I 11I
,C.I-11II -II
9
w
iI,---I_- I- :, i: II III I I"II:-`:I.--1-11 I -2III."I l Il
_j
_- l 11-1-1- -11 -.1-11- -- l-_1__lllll-l----- ---- - ---- ;-----.,.. I---- _,_4,: ,,, ___ -ll-ll-__--------_ l___-l___-__l-,_--- _-- I __'.-___ 11-.11- 111-111 ---- I -Il "I.- 11 - I I
t II -I I II, r - -, -., "" -- ., - , -- --,- __l7,1-l.__l_______,___.
1111-4,I"I'll- 15IIIi"I. III- -I- l ,- I I.II''I'll ZI:: ,- l II I 11 : I II, -,,I II
,,i-I,IoII I 11I.II
,I Iq, 11-TII 1 _II Il-III- 11II, "'' -`_ I .I I11
w
IIII.11II IIII lk11 I I- -. _ ,:. , -1 - -- , _ '' , '' ,: ---II
__ _ , _ , I I--- - 11-1-11-; -----:__ _- , , L - -11 11 IL"', - '', .... 1 _, " _11-11-11--l. I- I 11 I 11 I- 1-1-1- ---- I--- -- 1 4- 1 -lI- II.1
, "-, - ,-:,- - -,: ,': - , 11 _., _11-11-11111.11 l--11_11--ll-.I--1111-11-1 -1 "7-,-,- - - "'
-I-- T;1 11 ,- I II11 I , I I I--_-1- I -I-
-,III- - - : :. I II
I11 '' , _ , - 1 _,I- II-,:,, -II--2,:,,,l ;IE
-! -I :_II-I
-IIIIII, I11 11 11II-, ,-,I- II-111 -''I
I1 III: .IIIIIIll ,II11 - III-11I : 1:
-- -.: --- 7t --- nt-_.' ... .t__ ---,_-_-_---,__-,-,_ -1 __ -I_1111_11_1_1_1--LlL_ _ -'_ I- , LE-___ __ ll,_-l 7",--=', -- -11 -1 -_---,_-_l ----l-
T" I "I- I 12I C 11IIIli=-------I--1i -II., "l, ,'--,, I , 11 1 4"I ;. 11 - I_ I-II
IlI, -___IIIII1 II II .11 11 I 11I I ",, ,IIf : , , , .-- ,-, --1III 1- i. II:,,
, 1, , ,:, 1 ,", -,,III11 - II-I -II ---l 1..''I IIIIII
L.IIIll 1,c-I II11I-II I "I I , , ,, .III.I
,. , ,I I I,; 11II11 - - -i; 1:I''
I IIII- . II;I.- - I. 11 -1.
.,. -ZLI-_1 ,i . ...... t, I- -I _- ---,I _L, q :,_4-- -, ,,-,,,, - ,_:,, :,l------_-----, -------- 11 .. 11 ____ll-11__l.114 _1 I II -_- - - _-- , __ .... .... --- - "I I- "I __I. " __ - 1-11 1, --_111__ ___ - -- ,, - --.- , _--- - ,: I----------- 1- ., 1- I-- 111.1-- I - ,,, ,, ,e, : , W-I- - 111. I,. , _ "A 11111-11 I- 11 " 1:-1 - , II ,--- " - -1 1 411
I III 11I . I :,I -1 ... - I:-11 -15- 1k1. II III -i': , .
I-I11 I , I ,,,I II I.I,I IwII
ly-I t1. 11 , ''III
I :I- I ;I I II:: "I - Il III II-II -I 11I,
i - o":_',IIqlil "I .1. .. II
l ,, :? ,11, :1I11--II11 ,
I, - -,, '7111, I I I.,,II I.4Iz,, IIIII, 1,,-- ]_L.'l . .....v
,.PIIIII I,,.1 II- 11IIII I -I, I ,,I
,I 11,IIII I I..1 ` : :"I1.III IiI.IiI1-1 11 I"I"cl11-, I; IIII
II
I_111-1-11-111 1-1.111- - - _____-,,J--.--_-_-----I1-1_111111I--- --_,l_--5_ 1_111-11 I -1 - -Illlll 1111-1- ,-"-,--, ,I ,I
,_.______'_ , ___,--____', ... '__ .... -_ , ___--l-_-.., _-_____'_,_l ...... _,_ I---- --11 --11- I __-... .. .. _ 4-- _1-1-1710--, _I I111-1-11-1.1-L,:1 ...... i... ....--- ,'', ,,, ,---, -,-, :'I
'', ". - ,, ,II I I-+ ,I :_ - 7=11 , I I I...... 1,-... - "-.111.11 -- I- -I,---1-11. 1.11-Ill-,111,771 -1- --I, -,
-I- I '111 ,," I'll
I,,y, 1, I"I ,-I, ,-.1
I, ,I1III.,1411 1. - I I11IIl " I:: __l 1, ?: ,.- .;II I-I
IIII
II--- I LIzI11 I4-I11III-- ,II -I IC11I: ,I I-:::I-II- Ile I ''III-
II -, , _I, , ,,, III-- II''I .1I- ,11- --- I" :::;-j I'llIIn : .,". , ,,":,:,I,
E, -, -,7" ,1. " 11 I ;IIII-1.11 I --,''I _'.'
I'l " 11 _ : ;! : n -IIII'- ".-II-II 1,I " -,
,,,
11- - .IIII, II - I IIII,4-_4 I-II II 11 1. I I -I 1111_11_ IIil I ,
_ __IL ,:II.____;____l'I_,__-l- .-_,l__'_,_-- -___l____ -_,:..- I.. . .... ,,,::],:--t,I-------- --1 I It.. -- 1'11 1-1 11 - ___,._,___ I11I- -11

1FR0M( ~ 6 ?
!~ATMILE 7 2-5

I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

T - -- ---

I ~~--~
z

I I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~777

I I- 4>
1,

703

I 4

704

J^r^l^li
,,...^..,:^,,,.^,:.1_;

.- „.„ ^™ . ^ ..^..^., , ^ . ,
^ * :.' ! '.' -11' '^'T'L'
1-'..**-*--; *-'- 11;-- :---r:-

660

650

640 01

I i
U,

II-
UA.

s
630 0

191.
I

620

-610
705

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
ST. PAUL DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA

HIGH WATER PROFILES

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

VICINITY OF LACROSSE, WISCONSIN

APRIL, 1970

MILES ABOVE OHIO RIVER

PLATE I

. . .............

..... : . ..... --
171 I I,If-, ,

68O-i`

LA COSSE:IV:

L ACfSW~~$N

Rl..

i„- -

660

BLACIff< IiR

~~ ----~ I

670 I----I

660

650

1965 FLOOD

640

630

620

1 1 1 4 1 t;. _ I,: -. ^ - -..-- - -.......- -...- .

-*~-* j o 2f:-1 -

IA :^^:1°>''f^'r- "r''"§ T S r :'lT:!

2
MILES AE

-0
O

LHLA CROSSEI WICr tONS INI I

........... . i -

650 FLOO :--;-l'·--· - :;i··_··---I- - -... -..,.... . - ._1

I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~: :· ---- -

-i.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
'4 /. . 4--- ~~ ::::;:~I:~~- ---:--:::-'- _'-
~~- ·STEE \_ -:::-…::·--i·-:1--:

.I~~ ~' Ir /
I~ /
640 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ :~- I;r 4t I :::::I::-:-r::::3-
r~~~~~cc ~ ~ % f
640~::-:·----;~- · .... -:-·-i l~:-·--:- ::I-------- --- --i-;.~.~, ~ ----·~ ~·--'4 '4 /a-- I
'41_ 1 :
4 iii:--!:::~l-I!::;::_:::!::.- ::! :: -::: :

<l tx,
- ''j.
0V) U)
4 Q
(1)

i |

w
LJ 630

z i
2 .
z %
o ')
g §~
I I
iB
I- U
4

620
62011

,.., . s..-.- ^ - --all- I:** -;- -"
<3:. 1- ^ ,: ".-0 ^._,' 0'-....., ,.^ .

,.'I -^ i.- _.._;.. 2 ',:r___ „,; , ,. , : .... . . ,:.....1 ..'" ;... ...„;--I~- - _. :..^.L l/ ^ ..:_...^ 11...... r::.,' . " ;.„ - ..i..
i r~~~~~~~~~~~i
0:: J
I i i

A: 4

BOVE MOUTH

, .^, ,t: : , ; ·'iy)""~i'gi"'i'i':'^Q i 1-' ;-^ -; ^ .1; k::-: :·:\El :i ** ,- *( ':l^ m i>, ;o-

34 5

30VE MOUTH

I :
co ^

0M:

`W3:- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

U,~~~~~~~~~~u

.Z- E~~~~~~~~~~~~~L

I-~~~~~~~~~~~~
2 '::

BED

610

600

TO ELEV 594
AT MILE 3.81

MILES ABOVE

r:~~~~~~~~~~~. ... ~::.- -

:i -:..............
FROM-i E 04~~~~~~~~-
AUMILE 4.9a?3
4

MOUTH

'< '-"?"" -- -----j--~---1--- ,--,

DEPARTMEN
;ST PAUL DISTRIM
- ~~~~ST PA~L

| ~~HIGHWA
LA C

4jAND
.1.~~~~~~

j~~~~~~~~

---- *7 - -

* 7

7'7* .

--i: i... D EP A R T M EI..~?._..
ST. PAUL DISTRIC
ST.PA

HIGH W

.:_..:._L Cf- :- :Y: i:::-:I;_::-1-
j N

. ".i _-H. ::^ 'Z E [[iE~,~~__r~IEI
^'"~" 11"~" ^r-t----]*:l.:-:- ^T-^:ir

:~: , - i i:·- '14::::-:E--~:

7 : 47

·· 4::::::4:::::
7.,~. ~.~ Ix..,~.f: 77-__ i-:~

-4. r. ~ _7-
-4---4~ ~~~~~~~ .4 4 ·:::--
2 7-----·-- r
i:i -:: +7i:
.7:.::..
4.7 47
>.r.r-i --t-·' t ... T7 :;
I_ .. - .

660

650

640

0
4
tv
01
N

-i
J"
U)

I-
630 w
w
IAJ
LL

Z
z
z
0

1
Li
U

NT OF THE ARMY
T, CORPS OF ENGINEERS
IL, MINNESOTA

ATER PROFILES

ROSSE RIVER
BLACK RIVER

5 VICINITY OF LACROSSE, WISCONSIN

APRIL, 1970

PLATE 12

->'
0
Cl
N

-i
V)
5

w-
I.W
UJ
UJ

z
t
z

0 I

w
w

__^·· _·I_·_ II____X_ I___I__·_____I((__ _·X I_ ·_ ·· __ _I_ X___

1-4 i :. -- -. -I'll,I· - - I , II", -- ·1 ····i-- ·- i-· ··--". ,- · -- -I AiI I - ---- 7·· - ·i ·· ; ; I..·-L ;- 4 i w- l i--'--

- I-- i

L-

::::: : -: ': ---:: ::-:
·--·----·--·-- --- ·-·--·---··--·· ··-c-·-

660: I7 < i'7 -7····7.7 >

4... : ,,4: ============= ,"
0 60 v ^ ''.""'"^"""""^ ^"'"''.'"T - .^ ~'" r rT "' T~ '" '' ^ """ ^-".''" ""''T ''' .*"1 .Tr " ^^ ^ ^ T ^ T r ^ ^ " '" ? '^''* , ' ..'..^. *.. ..'"t ^ ^ '^ ....^tT^ " *,.. . ,. .^„„''''^ "-™ "'*'^ - "- -- .*^.^*<" g+*****>* w r^ .... .. .. ',;,..,i,.^^..^ . ^...,„,^ .,.„.„..*.. .„..„, „, ^.^,,,.,„„;. .,
}''- .;. '"."-t^ . ".:. ;' '" :: : -' "^ ''': '', ', " -\ "':,."''}..~^, :^ . :r^ "^ .1:." .^ ' " ^. :;:", ^ "".L:.:.:: ,^ .^^^ . .: ^ ^ ^ .i ^ ^ .^-'";^ j|^ * t ^ ^ .^ T :'.,^ 1:'!! :^'':r :.|^.::: i.-:-~r:.!!:; . :.- 't:.'. .u :^ ::^ .:^ r^ ^ .j ^ ^ ":"^ ^

^ ^ » I''.'„." '. , ."-.," ' p. , .. . . ,[ ".„ . ^ . " .^i .. :;.-':,^. ..."t ' ,i . . ". . , , . .,j ''i -, .^ . . . i..„.;.. ' . . . ,., ,. -r. ,... ,... .. .i n H ~ ~ y -^L ' l ' '' " * -*-* <'+ * - -'* ** "-- "* *. '*r -* *\ - \ -*.~ -* '****..*' -.<< .;..L .-...;..„ ,|.» .. ....',^.^,, .^^ ^... :.;„..:..*,.

^: ,:';' , O t , *; .;:: *; .. . : ' .. .:. ":: 1,. ; . ,*:. .;.::;. . :...; ,: ^ :,. :...*? , : , :":;: . :p : **„:*:" r '^ 'j. :^:: ;, t .,L .,.:^ . :,:^ .;j.:;' .^.:} ^ I ..''"^ - ^ - ** - U :,.. ^ .^ ;^ .-. ^ -^ ; ; .: ..:~ ..;*1: ::,,L ..:^ :.: ', . : ^ ::'p :: ...*:*:;
· i i *-**.*"- * 1 '>.«.....^....,.....,...,... <..„.-..,-..;.-.,..-,........,,„.,^..... /..*'* **'*^,,,,,:"; ' "^ " ^*****-,' r"1'"1' ^''<„„."--'<-" ""I' ^ ^ -.^''iA '..^ "^'^,^ /'". -.;."Ai.-« s '„„ ''.°^"''' ^ '*'''l^^".',.

610 2 4 6 8
0 2 4 6 8 10

14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48

50 52 54

680

670 : ;

660

6504

6401

630
0 2 4 6

t .h'.
~iii;:i ;;~: :;;N ;;f i!!i: i

01JrN. 0 NO.3

I! I~ : i i: i

8 I0 12 14 1 B 2
16 18.. 20·

4lRQ--P LI~

l620 :;.:' : ::{ :

610 - --
0 2 4

8 10 12 14

18 20 22

24 26 28 30 32 34 36

660

650 O" r Fid e it

640

630'

620 i-I: . . . . .
b<*u ^ 0 MILE 0.24

61 2 4 6 8 0 12 14 16
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36

NO. 4A
U.S. HIGHWAY 53 BRIDGE
MILE 0.39

38 40 42 44

690

680

670

660

650

640

E024 6 8: 1 1 41 2 2 83
NO.28
f:MILE4.89 ,",:-.,'1 9

Za ~~ 4 a6~ 7

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32

680

, , 4..4 1 4..

::NO. 26 . .
670 - MILE 4.59

; : -66 O0 ,,..

650 :I:·~-E~:rE '-~ _3 ?- P -::..~~::;'::~ :~_·~;

':: '-:.: :......... - :..
640

630- , ~. ...... ~
0 2 4 6 8

10 12

670O

660

630

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52

HORIZONTAL DISTANCE IN HUNDRED FEET
L^ - I N : HUNRE F E E T 1

14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40

LEGEND:
----STANDARD PROJECT FLOOD.
------- INTERMEDIATE REGIONAL FLOOD.
NOTE:
SECTIONS TAKEN LOOKING DOWNSTREAM.
ALL SECTIONS NOT SHOWN.
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
ST. PAUL DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA

CROSS -SECTIONS

LA CROSSE RIVER
VICINITY OF
LACROSSE, WISCONSIN
APRIL, 1970

PLATE 13

660

650

640 t::-:

630

.-i
(V)

w
w
LA-

Z
z
0

-i
U

I 1.1-::-;:-:J: :
1114---1·-;----,, 1A, I·4- I
^ ·)·I- "III

6 70 -'::-':: - .....- -

6 6 0- __ __ _ __ _

640~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
640~!!;~:.::ii::11~:!~.! :;; !} :.!!~,::i::~;{i~_!;~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~i~l 4

0 2 4 6 8 I0 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 48
02 4 6 8 1014 2 6 2 830 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 ~~~~~~545658 60 6 264 66 68 70 72 74

640 E.-2--.:- '.-. -... :_ :':

f:::-:"NO; I~ ~ i !:~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -

.4 ','.V ~ ' -..4'.'. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __E-E............

0 2 4 6 8 0 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 5
54 565860 62 64 66 68 70 72LJ

670 N94 _ -~-~---

650 ~.~t -

640

LEGEND:
--- STANDARD PROJECT FLOOD.
---- INTERMEDIATE REGIONAL FLOOD.

NOTE:
SECTIONS TAKEN LOOKING DOWNSTREAM.
ALL SECTIONS NOT SHOWN.

V 7 <At 2~IhTztF7#---.

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56

M70

650

640

630

620

-:4., -

:!::~::~ ~ ~ ~ -F-,~:~ ~~i!:! :!::i:: :::. :: : ~~ ..~...... -· i : -: '..r.. - .... : :-- ::- ..... ~:

!~~ ~ ~ ~ ~_____ _____ ______:_______;__:___I~ ,.X:~'::'~ ~;:F:~..... ~~t<'~..*..
I 4..,_4 I

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48

HORIZONTAL DISTANCE IN HUNDRED FEET

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
ST. PAUL DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA

CROSS SECTIONS

LA CROSSE RIVER
VICINITY OF
LACROSSE, WISCONSIN
APRIL, 1970

PLTE I

7
¢3

i,1
-J
CO

w
w
LL
2
2
z
0

I
w
LUJ
-J
wU

630

- ,- -711. I I I -- -, --- -- ·-II -I-- I- --- -- I - -- -- ,

f'' -- -11 --l-
.. -.1

··----t-------

--T"::il- -.11; I
f--- -l":', - ,.1

I I

PLATE 14

63 0~-- -............. 1-1-_ .... -~1"~" _,~ -I~, _~777 --,'-............................
0~~~~ --. 468- I0 1_41 6 III- II2 2 26 20 34 3 6 30 44 48 52 5
I-=~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~5 58 ,-06_ 64 6668 07
680 !?:T~:.7!'i::~!iF!!.~F::F!"::'· !"r:/jfF:·'T~: :?'["i?:::-i::¥'/:~-:¥- '--:::'::--:.'::r ............................ ~ : :''~~~~~~~~~~~~---~,~:t~~, ,~,~ ,~~, ",~ :-7 ,, _' , ~_ ~
,~~~".z _-_:,-;::_-_~~~~~~~~~~~~~_-_---l, _- ~~~~~~~~~~- - - , I ~~~~~~~~~_ - --~~~~~~~~4:"I~~~~-,~~~~~,'~~~:~~~--,'~~~~,--,--, ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -, I, ~~~~~~~l ~~~ ~~' :~~~~]J~ ~~~:~~`~~ t"_~~~~~_',~ ~~~:,~~~,i~~~~''' -~ ~~~ _~~~_ A''l '' ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ _ - T~~~~,:, ~~~~'n,~~~~T ,i ~~~~~~:~~,,,~~~~~~,.":" ,~~~~~~~~11 - ~~~~1 ~ ~ ~ , .~~~~, - I~~~
! ': ~-_ ' _'F.. E :- _,-_: __I~~_ ~ , - :.- 1I -, _....., _ -_ _ _, _ `
___~~~~~~ ~ ~ ~~. 2 i:'""'~2'Tt-TI ...................1I - -'~7- ~ ,~,,1-1~,,
[J.t:::MILE, 2.30 ;:: iL"-[~.:_.:!;.!::::'::II'i::I:-!-:A:::':~::::.i- '~: /;I......................

63 03~- ~1 I-~ '~ , ~~~ ~I -................
0 2468I0 1214' 16 182022242628$0$:~$4;563840 4:~444648 50 5254565860 62646668 70 72~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~- ~111I~z- ~ ''~,~I,~~,~~r'

670 ..............
-l_:','- MILE1~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.99~-.11~~~~t,t ,~~._-i- - --'~_=_.......
-,-,-, -1.1-111- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~~~~i ~~~~i ~ ~ ~ ~ ~11 ,~~~~ II I-`---T7`7- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ =~~= -~~ 1 , " - _ ~~~~~~ 7- ~~~, _ " ~~~~~~,[:-7:?! ::[::=";fI-':

01 II -4I 6I I I I 012-1416 182,:e42 8 34 38 424 64

NO. 19 ....~ . :- ~_,~.;_.:.._::~_~,.~....~..:... . . . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~,,~ 111117-_ r ..~---1-I'l 11111- _1 ~- --1-1 - _ ~~.
=~~~:I~~~_-_-_~;~~~:~7'.'! ,.: :'i!.:1 - _ '_ _ I: : !':: ::i-'[ ' ': -:i1 ' i.' ~
_:t----,, ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~,~ ~,~~,',~~,~~~~,-,~~~ ~~INERMEIATE~~~~~,-_,REIOA FLO.,-,,t. ~~ ~,~..~~~,~""_- ,
660
. -1 - - - 1 _ _l - _ - 1 __ ll ~ - - -11 - 1 - 11 .11 - 111 -1 1- - 11--11111-11 - -K ~ .I" - _ _ _ _ , D E P A RTMENT _ OF _T H
I l' 111-,~:,",~~"~I 5 ~~," -~r'-' -'"~,-- --- 11110"l'. ~ ,~ ~ I -,~ ___ ~ _..... - _~ -~ -. ",-N O T E:"' ~
11~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~T PAU D~", ISTR- - _-1 ICT I-, CORPS,~I -I
650~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SECTIONS~TAKEN',LOOK.~f"~ '~_- , _IND OWNSTREAM.-, i,'--_--
- 1L~~1- 1-111- 1111-11- - -- - -I'll ~ -I-I-~~',-~i ". v ~ l., ~__,!I 11]~ -~I -1-ST. IPAUL,M- IN N E S
11~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~L SECT1I~~ION NOSHOWN,. IIl~
640-_~~ l
4--l_-_-l ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~~~~RS SECTIC" ,~' :3.
_1 - 1. I1__ -- - -1 I 1.1- - - - - ~... III - " , , ~, , , _
11-- - _ - 1~~~~~~~~~~l"I--_1-1111-1-11--,_ - - - -I11 - -. ," "~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ !,~~~~,~~I H ~~~~~ ~~-~~~'
63 0 ~~~~~~ -.-~.-_-:.- :..I :. .............. ~, IL,,-' ,,
.1 -~~~~~~~~~~ ~ ~~~'.~~"~,",!,"~,,-X :.-_ - 1 ~L~E- L.:' ~ 1" : ]~~:.: ..... ,,'- -," ~ ",j 'HE -~:-~
t:" - -", 1~1-~~1.1--'-~" --,i, ---111-_1 .. 11. 1 -,_,--,,- - -- 71 1 ": _,-, ~'~I l Ill -I 1_11 -,-, -- -,----- I `~ ~ ~ ,;_~::.:',~ LA CROSSE RIV" "t-~,~~",_"'
- -, ,,1 - - - ,1-~I _ - - _- l If_11~1 -- "~..~ _ ~ ,, ~,,, ,.i
0~~~~~~ 2""4... 61 8.. I0 1214 1 6 - 1820,22I 24~ 26 I80 2I4 I - 3840,_j_~Li_ 4-"~" ,"~~"~,4-,VICINTY_OF.
- I'lIIII " ~ ~I---- I1..~,~ -m -,~ -,,~III -,~I- ,~+ ,I I 1:~IeI ~ ,,~,, I, " 1,I. -~,~~ ,. ~~~- , _', ,, - ,,, , -~ ~ ,~ 1I ~ I~~, " , I -'., L A C R O S S E , WIIS - , C - I"I~lI_ I
HOR~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.I Z O T A D~ -~ ,1I STAN C E INHUD FEE APIL,7
~~~~i II i i

· ,.-.[:'............ .

74767880

E ARMY
OF ENGINEERS
iOTA

)NS

IER

NSIN

PLATE 15

7i - , - - ~- I - - -

650

NO. 15 A : :
630 C.B. & 0. RR BRIDGE
MILE 2.58

620 =-...... -
0 2 4

6 8 10 12

14 16

18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38

„ „.„. ._...^^.^404244 46 48 50 52 54 56.58 6062 64I,

66 68... -o 72

74 76 78 80

670 ---

- ~~~~ - - -'~1~,--~~

----4

:':::NO-. 21A '
630 ::- COUNTY RD. B BRIDGE -- -
MILE 3.73

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30

32 34

36 38 40

Si|NO. 23 1Il^^^ ;:: ^^ 1:yi'[-':':-^uN-'^iiii~nii
630 MILE 4.02

620 .68 116 18.2.......
0 2 4 6 8 I~0 12 14 6 18 20 22 24 26 26 30 32

NO. 24 A :
670 fc-" C.M.ST.R 8 RR BRIDGE - . .... . .......--.-.-.-.-. " -~--::: ::::

0 2 4 6 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40

LEGEND:
---- - STANDARD PROJECT FLOOD.

NOTE:
SECTIONS TAKEN LOOKING DOWNSTREAM.

INTERMEDIATE REGIONAL FLOOD. ALL SECTIONS NOT SHOWN.

680 -e o- T 7 7 7y

~~~~~ t~~~~~~~~~~~ : : : j~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ - -~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ , - - I - - - i~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~z 4 -~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~: : ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~:::: : ::: ::: :::

640 2C.NW. RYB 4 - 12 1 16 12
OIONA DMILE 4 I88HUNDRE FEE
=:..... .... .....-

6 30 ~ ......... _ 1 7 ~$-
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 2 44 6

HORIZONTAL DISTANCE IN HUNDRED FEET

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
ST. PAUL DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA

CROSS SECTIONS

LA CROSSE RIVER
VICINITY OF
LACROSSE, WISCONSIN
APRIL, 1970

PLATE 16

670 :

-i

2
t-
U,

I-
w
w
LL

z
0

w
-J
w

4444 iI _I j_ ·

·- · --...--i.----l-x"--`- ----I' '`1"- ;^i`^^-^-- ; -`l---i`t-·-·-x·-··--·I--_

'L ,
I."I
i -
I

1-I ;· -.1--11-,I'll I-II- - I7-* 1-,--I·, , )

-..
, -I -I1
111-1---," l I
, - , 7

I I
i
i
I i
I