Swollen river: Heavy rain brings Fox River in Waukesha to minor flood stage



WAUKESHA (WITI) -- After heavy rains on Sunday and again on Monday, the Fox River is on the verge of flood stage in Waukesha -- and it's affecting the riverwalk near downtown.

Officials have blocked off a trail that usually takes folks under a bridge near the Fox River because the lowest part of the trail is under water.

So far though, it looks like the river levels are only causing inconvenience in downtown Waukesha -- and not damage.

Heavy rain has led to a swollen Fox River.

Near the river is the Sweet Perfections Bake Shoppe. At the shop, the cakes are the only thing rising -- but they weren't the main topic of conversation on Tuesday, May 13th!

"It`s just crazy how high it does get. It hasn`t gotten above the bank yet, but it has in the past so we`re still good. We`re still...we`re still not underwater yet!" a Sweet Perfections Bake Shoppe employee said.

Outside, officials have put up yellow tape throughout Frame Park -- meant to discourage people from approaching the river.

Traditionally popular gathering spots were off-limits Tuesday.

Not everyone heeded the warning on Tuesday, but Anne Geigel-Grams kept her distance while capturing the unusual scene.

"I love taking pictures of the water and all the wildlife around the area, so I`m just kind of enjoying the afternoon," Geigel-Grams said.

As the run-off rushes through downtown Waukesha, the river level has risen to about six feet -- which is the minor flood stage.

The workers at the Sweet Perfections Bake Shoppe says they have a plan in case their treats are threatened.

"Eat them! No, we haven`t had that yet. The water`s gotten pretty high, but we haven`t had that yet," a Sweet Perfections employee said.

The river level had reached about six-and-a-half feet around 10:00 p.m. Monday.

The record level is about nine feet, so residents have seen flooding far worse than what they're seeing now.