A crew works to protect the Carlson Capital Management building along the east bank of the Cannon River. This is by the “Poem Steps” leading to the Riverwalk, now flooded. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 22, 2024)
MANY AREAS OF SOUTHERN MINNESOTA, including my county of Rice, have been inundated with torrential rain during the past week. That’s led to flooding of rivers and property and to road closures. Like so many others, I’ve been out and about observing, taking photos.
People gather on the pedestrian bridge and along a sidewalk above the Riverwalk to see flooding along the Cannon River. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 22, 2024)
Saturday evening, on our way home from visiting family in Lakeville, Randy and I drove through Northfield and stopped to walk along the Cannon River. The river runs through the heart of this historic downtown, which features a waterside river walk.
Flooding and sandbagging along the west bank of the Cannon near the Lady Cannon mural.
Sandbag wall on the west side of the river. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 22, 2024)
Lady Cannon is nearly swimming in the river. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 22, 2024)
The Cannon has spilled over its banks, flooding the river walk and adjacent land and threatening buildings at water’s edge. Sandbags are in place. Pumping is underway.
People line the pedestrian bridge across the Cannon for a wide perspective of the river and the flooding. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 22, 2024)
Looking north from the pedestrian bridge to the Second Street/State Highway 19 bridge. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 22, 2024)
Looking south from the pedestrian bridge toward the Water Street bridge by the Ames Mill Dam. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 22, 2024)
And people are coming to the river by the hundreds to view its raging power. A pedestrian bridge high above the water offers a unique perspective.
The dam is barely visible by the historic Ames Mill. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 22, 2024)
Among the many people viewing the river at the dam site. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 22, 2024)
And a bridge across the river by the historic Ames Mill provides a close-up view of the Cannon roaring over the dam.
Protecting Carlson Capital Management. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 22, 2024)
A maze of hoses channel water out of the Carlson building while sandbags protect it. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 2024)
Froggy Bottoms on the west bank floods whenever the river floods. A neon green poster on the building reads: “This Frog Swims Again.” (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 22, 2024)
It is impressive, all of it. The nauseating movement of the water. The speed. The danger. The feeling of overwhelming respect and awe in the presence of such power.
Fitting words on the door of the Froggy Bottoms building. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 22, 2024)
This I felt as I took in the scene unfolding before me on a Saturday evening in Northfield.
A sandbag wall protects property along the west bank of the Cannon River. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 22, 2024)
A sandbagging station. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 22, 2024)
A line of sandbags protects property on the west bank of the Cannon. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 22, 2024)
Life jackets drape a barricade blocking access to the flooded east side Riverwalk. Below, workers work to protect the Carlson building from the river. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 22, 2024)
NOTE: Check back tomorrow for flood photos from Faribault.
wow, Audrey. these pictures captured the power of the river and how little we can do about it, even with the best of measures taken. I can understand all of the feelings you described when coming face to face with this, I t must be hard to process and take in the reality of the magnitude of it all. my hope is for safety and recovery for all who are impacted by this –
Whew…it is quite the scene. Hopefully the rain has stopped for now and there will not be too much damage from the powerful water.
I saw a sign recently saying Froggie Bottoms will reopen (it’s been closed for awhile) under new management. I wonder how the new owners are reacting to the flood waters?
We were aware, too, of the new ownership. I assume they knew flooding was a possibility, just not expecting it this soon and in June. Happy to have sunshine today.
I spent a lot of time in Northfield along the banks of the Canon River when visiting my daughter at St. Olaf from 10-12 years ago. There was a flood then, too. Thank you for sending out these photos, so I can understand what is happening. I am wishing well everybody there.
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
wow, Audrey. these pictures captured the power of the river and how little we can do about it, even with the best of measures taken. I can understand all of the feelings you described when coming face to face with this, I t must be hard to process and take in the reality of the magnitude of it all. my hope is for safety and recovery for all who are impacted by this –
It’s a lot to deal with for those who have been directly impacted by floodwaters. Today we have sunshine, giving us all a reason to smile.
glad for that
Oh my what devestation for the area!! The power of water unleashing its fury.
Yes, devastation for sure, especially in nearby Waterville and Mankato. Definitely also in Faribault and Northfield.
thank you for this very important information
You are welcome. It’s one thing to see/read about this flooding. But to witness in person is too feel the full power of the river and floodwaters.
Whew…it is quite the scene. Hopefully the rain has stopped for now and there will not be too much damage from the powerful water.
I saw a sign recently saying Froggie Bottoms will reopen (it’s been closed for awhile) under new management. I wonder how the new owners are reacting to the flood waters?
We were aware, too, of the new ownership. I assume they knew flooding was a possibility, just not expecting it this soon and in June. Happy to have sunshine today.
Thanks for posting the photos. It’s impressive and shows the power of “Mother Nature.”
You are welcome, Nita. Yes, there’s a lot of power in that river.
I spent a lot of time in Northfield along the banks of the Canon River when visiting my daughter at St. Olaf from 10-12 years ago. There was a flood then, too. Thank you for sending out these photos, so I can understand what is happening. I am wishing well everybody there.
You are welcome, Joyce. Northfield is such a beautiful town and that is partly because of the Cannon river running through it.