Cook County Weather-Related Road Closures and Announcements
May 12, 2022 04:17PM ● By Editor
See the latest announcements regarding flooding and road closures as we receive them from Cook County. The latest announcements will appear at the top of the article.
Here’s the direct link to the County Road Closure Map app.
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CR 57 Closed; Water on Arrowhead and N Gunflint Lake Road
May 16, 2022 at 11:20 am – The warm, dry weather has helped county road conditions, but CR 57 remains closed west of the Devil Track Forest Service Campground. Significant water remains on the roadway on Arrowhead Trail (CSAH 16) at McFarland Lake and on North Gunflint Lake Road (CR 46) at Cross River.
“Water is receding, and we hope to reopen CR 57 soon,” Maintenance Supervisor Josh Dix said. “The east end of the flooded area remains saturated and may not be passable. The good news is that the Bally Creek Road detour to The Grade is open again.”
Individuals wanting updates on Forestry or Forest Services roads should contact the local MN Department of Natural Resources or US Forest Service office, respectively.
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Arrowhead Open to McFarland; Irish Creek Remains Closed
May 14, 2022 at 9:35 a.m – The Arrowhead Trail (CSAH 16) is now open to McFarland Lake, and Irish Creek Forestry Road in the Irish Creek Subordinate Governmental Service District (SGSD) remains closed, the Cook County Highway Department announced this morning. “The Arrowhead Trail was closed Friday due to multiple areas of water running over the road,” said Maintenance Supervisor Josh Dix. “Those waters have subsided without major damage, and crews are out making repairs.” Dix added that water is now over the road at McFarland Lake near 3330 Arrowhead Trail. Passage is not feasible for most vehicles, and the road may become impassable if the lake continues to rise. Irish Creek Forestry Road remains closed by the MN Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) due to a recurring washout. Highway department crews will continue their efforts to provide daily access for local residents. A large number of Forest Service and MN DNR roads throughout Cook County are flooding or washed out. Many are closed and/or impassable and should be avoided. May 13, 2022
CR 71 Open; Sections of Arrowhead Trail and CR 57 Remain Closed
May 13, 2022 at 4:23 p.m. – Moose Valley Road (CR 71) is open, the Cook County Highway Department announced at 4:15pm.
Sections of two county roads, the Arrowhead Trail (CSAH 16) and Devil Track Road (CR 57), remain closed. CSAH 16 is closed north of Irish Creek Forestry Road. CR 57 remains closed west of Devil Track Forest Service Campground.
“These two sections of road remain closed due to ongoing water issues,” Maintenance Supervisor Josh Dix stated. “Unfortunately, the CR 57 detour is also closed because Bally Creek Road [FR 158] is under water.”
Highway department crews are still out working. Given the rising waters and rapidly changing road conditions, motorists are encouraged to limit travel and to be prepared for impassable conditions countywide.
Partial Closure of Arrowhead Trail; CR 46 and Little Ollie Road Flooded
May 13, 2022 at 9:00am – The Cook County Highway Department has closed Arrowhead Trail (CSAH 16) between the Irish Creek Forestry Road and Jackson Lake Road in order to repair a partial road collapse.
Additionally, the department just received word that North Gunflint Lake Road (CR 46) is under water at the Cross River Bridge and that part of the Little Ollie Road in the Little Ollie Subordinate Governmental Service District (SGSD) is flooded.
“High waters, along with the last two days of heavy rain, have caused a cave-in on the Arrowhead Trail,” said Maintenance Supervisor Josh Dix. “We are out making repairs and will update the public as soon as the road reopens.” He stated that the crew will check conditions on CR 46 and Little Ollie Road and post the roads accordingly.
Dix reiterated that road conditions are changing quickly and the department is working to address several road concerns, including the Irish Creek Forestry Road and the CR 57 detour. He urged motorists traveling anywhere in Cook County to be prepared for impassable conditions.
___________________________________________Moose Valley Road Flooded at Carlson Creek
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Moose Valley Road Now Open
May 12, 2022 – Floodwaters on Moose Valley Road (CR 71) at Carlson Creek have receded and the road has been reopened, the Cook County Highway Department announced at 7:30pm.
“Today’s conditions are unprecedented,” Maintenance Supervisor Josh Dix stated, “and road conditions continue to change. Please travel accordingly.”
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Travel Advisory Lifted on Irish Creek Forestry Road
May 12, 2022 – The Cook County Highway Department has lifted the travel advisory issued this morning for Irish Creek Forestry Road.
“We’ve made temporary repairs and the road is passable now,” said Maintenance Supervisor Josh Dix. “We were unable to open up Esther Lake Road to provide access, as that road is now impassable.”
Again, Dix urged motorists to travel with caution: road conditions are changing quickly and more rain is expected overnight.
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Moose Valley Road Closed at Carlson Creek
May 12, 2022 – Moose Valley Road (CR 71) has been closed at Carlson Creek due to heavy flooding, the Cook County Highway Department announced at 2:15pm.
Staff is on site assessing the situation and will issue updates as information becomes available.
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Travel Advisory Lifted for CR 60 and Upper CSAH 14
May 12, 2022 – The Cook County Highway Department has lifted the travel advisory issued this morning for CR 60 and upper CSAH 14 due to flooding and culvert washouts.
“Both roads are passable,” said Maintenance Supervisor Josh Dix. “Temporary repairs have been made at all culvert washouts, and the floodwaters at CSAH 14 and CR 60 have subsided.”
Dix advised motorists to drive with caution in case any new issues arise.
Highway department crews continue to work on the washout on Irish Creek Forestry Road.
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