Community News and Views – Carver, Minnesota, USA
Hard to believe just 6 months ago the river was spilling over its banks, and is now so low that rocks in the Carver rapids are exposed.
Jerrod Larson, who runs and hikes in the Louisville Swamp area in Scott County, said the massive outcroppings of rock in the Minnesota are impressive. The more dramatic stretch of rapids requires a 3-mile hike to view, he said, but another set is easier to access.
Read the full story at http://www.startribune.com/local/west/134972383.html.
“We are anticipating completion of the removal of the last of the steel deck plat girder spans sometime next week,” wrote Terry Peterson with Omaha Track Material – the outfit handling the project. “Once that is complete, we will begin preparation for the demolition of the six concrete piers.”
Carver’s river crossing was originally built in 1871 by the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway (M&St.L). The railroad bested steamboats in the area by allowing for travel year round, including when the river levels were too low or the water frozen. It also allowed for important connections between Minneapolis and St. Paul to points west and south.
Read this month’s Villager Tower for complete information on Steamboat Days, as well as the story of Carver’s very own steamboat!
Please support the Villager Tower by downloading it and visiting its sponsors.
Villager Tower #277 August / September
The Villager Tower has been written and published since 1983 by Ricki Schultz. She can be contacted at (952) 448-5126 and [email protected].
The Chaska Herald has some great pictures and history of the rail line and bridge, connecting Chaska and Carver, that is being removed this summer.
The 5.6-mile stretch of rail running between Louisville in Scott County through Carver and into Chaska was constructed by the Minneapolis-St. Louis Railway in 1870 and 1871 at a cost of $20,000 per mile, according to von Walter’s research. The grand opening run was made from here to Minneapolis on Nov. 25, 1871.
Here’s the remaining demolition schedule for weeks beginning:
Aug. 1, 8 and 13: Remove wood bridge trestle.
Aug. 22, 29, and Sept. 7: Work continues on bridge. Remove road crossings in Chaska.
Sept. 14 thru Oct. 10: Complete steel bridge span removal.
Oct. 17 thru Oct. 24: Demolish concrete piers.
Oct. 31 through Nov. 7: Final cleanup and re-grading.
Read more: Chaska Herald – Historic rail line soon to be history
Carver on the Minnesota has accepted the donation of an 1890, fully restored, 30′ steamboat. More information on Carver on the Minnesota’s facebook page.
The nonprofit was also written up this week in the Chaska Herald. 
Congressman John Kline (R-Lakeville), who represents Carver County in the 2nd District, has sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency today asking it to develop a plan to assist Carver and Watertown in finding flood relief.
Read more: Chaska Herald – Congressman to FEMA Last thing we need is bureaucratic red tape
Jan Marie Labine, 47, was sentenced to a year in prison for a drunk driving crash that injured Carver Mayor Greg Osterdyk and Evelyn Grimm during the 2010 Steamboat Days celebration, according to a Carver County Attorney’s Office news release.
On June 3, consistent with the request of Chief Deputy County Attorney Mike Wentzell, Judge Richard Perkins stayed an 18-month prison sentence and imposed a one year jail term – the maximum jail sentence allowed by the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines for this offense.
Read the rest of the story at ChaskaHerald.com
Williams was fired April 4. His attorney Tom Glennon said it’s clear that Carver leaders were looking for any excuse to fire Williams. He said the city’s actions amount to “transparent retaliation against Mr. Williams for having asserted his rights as a disabled employee.”
On March 31, Williams filed a discrimination charge with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The EEOC will likely take several months to look into the matter and perhaps investigate it.
Read the full story at startribune.com
The Chaska Herald has published the latest news on the status of Mills Fleet Farm:
The next step is for the city to request and receive bids from contractors for building a four-lane divided entrance road and making other public improvements approaching the site. City Engineer Dan Boyum said the target date for opening bids is May 26.
The city is also planning on refinishing the old Carver water tower.
The City Council voted unanimously this month to accept bids today (April 28) for interior coating, exterior painting and repairs to the 100,000-gallon water tower at 1765 Mount Hope Roa
The Carver City Council voted unanimously Monday afternoon to fire Building Official Ray Williams.
The firing climaxed an 11-week investigation that started with a tip that Williams was sleeping on the job and expanded to include a broader review of his conduct and job performance
Read the full story at ChaskaHerald.com
The City of Carver has posted a summary of the current state of flood preparation over at cityofcarver.com.
Briefly, there is a 40% chance that this year’s flood will surpass the record 1965 flood. The 1965 flood crested at 724 feet and our levee is 726.5 feet. For this reason, the city has begun preparations to add 4 to 6 feet to the levee.
Additionally, they have released a flood guide that answers many of the questions and concerns. The guide can be downloaded here.
Want to help?
myfoxtwincities.com reported on the situation yesterday.
Flood Levee Built Up in Carver, Historic Watertown Bridge May Close: MyFoxTWINCITIES.com
Title: Steamboat Days 2011 Planning
Location: Carver Villager Hall, Basement
Link out: Click here
Description: Join us in planning the 2011 Steamboat Days! Meetings are the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6:30PM in the Carver Village Hall basement. We would like to see you!
Start Time: 18:30
Date: 2011-03-09
The Duck has taken a big chunk out of the log jam as compared to a picture from November. Most of the debris has been broken up and left under the bridge to flow down once the ice melts. There is still quite a bit of brush along the bank of the dyke that could be removed. Additionally, the river has risen noticeably since observed on Saturday.
In the event of a flood, the city and fire department are asking people to sign up to volunteer. Carver Current has previously reported on the log jam situation.
As the Carver Fire Department prepares for the 2011 Flood Season, we have created the form below for anyone interested in volunteering for sand bagging and/or Levee watch. This form is just for information gathering in the event we will need help. We will send out notification of available shift dates and times should it become necessary.
Click here to sign-up and let us know you are available to help.
Thanks for your help!
Greg Osterdyk
Mayor
City of Carver
This week the city created a twitter feed @CityofCarver. Other local feeds include @CC_Historical, @CarverCityParks, @CarverFlowers, and @ChaskaHerald.
Carver Current is also on the bandwagon @CarverCurrent.
Are there any other local feeds that should be listed here?
With the high river, the log jam, and the amount of snow on the ground, city officials are beginning flood preparations.
As of the December 20th NOAA model, there is a 1 in 4 chance that the Minnesota River will reach or exceed the 2010 height and a 7% chance of reaching or exceeding the 1965 flood. With the September flooding and almost record-setting precipitation this winter we are preparing for the worst and expecting the best.
Read more at the Mayor’s Blog. Additionally, the city has created an informational page.
The unusual fall flood caused logs to aggregate along the Minnesota River bridge. Although the bridge is scheduled for removal, there is concern that if the log jam is not cleared by spring, flooding could cause damage to the levy.
Union Pacific is responsible for clearing the logs. “By the time they got out to the bridge the water was too low” said City Administrator Brent Mareck at the last city council meeting.
The city is in contact with Union Pacific to resolve this issue.