The National Weather Service predicts that the Minnesota River will crest at 31 feet near Jordan on Tuesday.

Its 11:22 a.m. report today said that the river was at 27.9 feet, which is 1.4 feet higher than yesterday. Flood stage is 25 feet.

The Scott County Road 9 and Carver County Road 45 river crossing between Sand Creek and San Francisco townships has been closed for two days.

The Minnesota River crossing near Jordan has been closed for two days.

Check our flood map for the latest conditions.

Go to jordannews.com/floodmap.

A press release from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources:

Backyard birders and wildlife enthusiasts have a new resource available that helps make building and placing nest boxes easier and more enjoyable than ever.

“Woodworking for Wildlife,” the best-selling book produced by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), has been revised and is now on sale.

Commuters of Scott County rejoice! After years of delays, funding is
in place to fix the traffic-clogged intersection of Highway 169 and
Interstate 494.

The regional Transportation Advisory Board on Wednesday gave the green light by voting for a funding package that includes the final $34 million needed to make the redesign happen. 

"This concludes a year-long battle and debate that led to great success," announced Scott County Commissioner Jon Ulrich of Savage in an e-mail to community leaders. 

A press release from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources:

DNR QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Q: Last year, the Minnesota Legislature passed the “Bird Safe” law. What is this law about?

A press release from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources:

Families can have sweet fun participating in the spring ritual of making maple syrup during programs being offered at several Minnesota state parks this month.

Shannon Fiecke of the Shakopee Valley News reports:

Having lost out on the last batch of federal stimulus dollars, the next best shot for the Interstate Highway 494 and Highway 169 interchange will come Wednesday at a meeting of an important, but little-publicized advisory board.

The interchange failed to get funding last month from the federal highway department through the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Grant.

A weekend after Twin Cities TV stations blabbed the bad news to the world, Jordan Public Works Director Dave Bendzick offered a different, more reassuring message:

"If you listen to the news, you'd swear that Jordan was going to flood, and that Jordan was going to be gone," he told the city council Monday. "The Minnesota River will not cause Jordan to flood."

A press release from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources:

Citizens who want to view video and presentations from this year’s Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) annual gathering of conservation leaders can do so by visiting the agency’s web site.

The DNR Roundtable Web page at http://mndnr.gov/roundtable includes information from conservation and DNR experts, including a brief video in which DNR Commissioner Mark Holsten speaks to opportunities and challenges facing Minnesota.