Northern Minnesota Flooding. Get the boat Noah.

I keep wondering if we will see an Arc floating by. It seems we are always fighting one thing or another. One year it’s dry and forest fires blow smoke to our southern neighbors, or like this year it’s biblical floods.

Over the last few weeks Northern Minnesota, especially in and around the North Shore and Lake Superior National Forest has been inundated by high rainfall and the flooding that comes with it.

But, you say, “What’s the big deal, it’s just rain and floods, happens every day somewhere.”

Well, to the outdoor adventure enthusiast, high rainfall and flooding mean something totally different.

• Changes in trip plans
• Danger (serious danger)
• Damaged to camping and hiking areas
• Blocked and closed roads
• Loss of income to local businesses
• Years of work undone

It isn’t just as simple as just another flood, for areas like the Lake Superior North Shore, much of the economy is built around the classic tourism industry.

Fishermen, hunters, kayakers, canoers, weekend vacationers, cabins, hiking, State Parks, and on and on.

The damage of the floods is twofold and can be ongoing.

• The money that will not get spent by people canceling trips and access being blocked.
• Long-term damage to trails, roads, parks, and other infrastructure.

The last set of problems can be long-term depending on the extent of the damage. Campgrounds need repair, trails washed out, and parking lots need repair … never underestimate the long-term impact that floods can have on tourist areas.