CHASKA, Minnesota — There are no cracking bats or cheering fans at Chaska Athletic Park these days, but all you hear is the sound of fishing lines.
What was once home to the Chaska Cubs, the city’s amateur baseball team, is now an extension of the Minnesota River.
“I wanted to take this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to catch a fish in a baseball park,” said Mitchell Atneosen.
Athletic Park in Chaska flooded, but city officials say it was intentional. It is part of a special strategy in Chaska to flood the park to protect it.
Because the Minnesota River is expected to reach historic levels, the city says, this was the only option.
Chaska Communications Manager Kevin Wright said the decision was made Monday because river levels continued to rise and reached the top of the berm.
The berm was constructed around the park in 2015 to protect the park, but due to heavy rainfall it was decided to open the locks.
“We need to open the gates under the berm so that the water can flow into the park in a more controlled manner,” Wright said.
The river is expected to reach a water level of 10.6 metres, breaking the record height set in 1965.
By raising the locks, water cannot flow over the top of the berm and cause damage.
Despite opening the berm gates, the embankment just a few feet away was designed to withstand 40 feet of floodwaters.
“Our city center is protected; it’s still safe. This is just a way to protect the berm by the park,” Wright said.
The park will remain closed until the water level has subsided.
The Chaska Cubs have moved their home games to an away game in Cologne.
