Potter Park Zoo announced its was closed on Saturday, April 18, because of flooding from the Red Cedar River, and would also reschedule Earth Day events to April 22.
“While we continue to assess conditions, the entrance and exit drives are still impacted and not safe for travel. Our animals continue to do great, with dedicated staff ensuring their care and comfort as conditions are monitored,” the Zoo announced in a Saturday Facebook post.
Large sections of the Lansing River Trail also were flooded because of high water
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared a state of emergency in 38 Michigan counties, and several local states of emergency have been declared because of high water and damage from storms earlier this week.
According to the National Weather Service, Lansing has received 5.5 inches of rain in April — 3.71 inches above normal. Lansing’s 1.87-inch rainfall total on April 4 was a record for that date, surpassing the 1.54 inches received in 2003.
According to the NOAA Water Prediction Service, the Grand River at Lansing, Sycamore Creek at Holt, the Red Cedar River at East Lansing, the Looking Glass River near Eagle and the Maple River at Maple Rapids all have flood warnings in place.
The Red Cedar River, measured near Williamston, was at 8.1 feet at 11:15 a.m. on April 18, just below minor flood stage. The river was at 8.2 feet on MSU’s campus in East Lansing at 11:15 a.m. — minor flood stage for that location.
Sycamore Creek, measured near Holt Road, was at 8.2 feet at 11:15 a.m. April 18, at minor flood stage.
The Grand River, measured near North Grand Avenue, was at 11.94 feet, minor flood stage, at 11:15 a.m. April 18. At Portland, the Grand River was at 11.5 feet, just below minor flood stage at that location. At South Bridge Street in Dimondale, the Grand River was not measured, but was forecast to reach 11.4 feet on Saturday.
The Looking Glass River, measured near East Herbison and South Tallman roads, was at 6.69 feet at 11:45 a.m. April 18. It was expected to rise to about 7.3 feet later Saturday, which would be minor flood stage.
The Maple River, near North Maple Street in Maple Rapids, was at 9.45 feet at 11:15 a.m. April 18, at the minor flooding level.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Red Cedar flooding forces Potter Park Zoo to close, move events
Reporting by Dan Basso, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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