ALLOUEZ, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Parts of the East River trail are underwater and have been since the spring and officials are concerned it could cause more permanent damage.
With the sun shining, Sara Boltz thought it was a good day for a bike ride along the East River Trail.
“We took G down. That whole bridge is flooded in that area, so we had to go all the way down Ledgeview then come back around.”
While she tried to avoid flooded areas, it was impossible and she eventually just went through.
“It started off like it wasn’t very deep but by the time we started going through it, it was up to my gears on my bike, and my foot went down, it was too late.”
Parts of the East River trail have been closed all summer. The Green Bay area has seen another year of record precipitation. With three months left in 2019, it’s already the 7th wettest on record with almost 38 inches.
“The biggest concern is if it’s starting to undermine the trail,” said Brad Lange, Allouez village administrator.
Lange tells FOX 11 standing water for long periods of time can cause erosion.
“I think what we’ll see is a lot of the shoulder washouts.”.
He says the long term effects won’t be clear until the water is gone.
“Some of these areas have been underwater for most of the summer, so once all that settles out we’ll have to take a good evaluation of the trail and whether any of the of the shoulders are washed out.”
He said washouts are dangerous because they are a trip hazard, especially if you cannot see the damage under the sitting water.
The village of Allouez doesn’t know if there are long term effects with the ground yet.
The water will need to recede before the village can check it out.
