The Minnesota River in Shakopee is beginning to recede after Friday’s crest

SHAKOPEE, Minnesota — In Scott County, the Minnesota River is finally starting to recede. The crest Friday afternoon in Savage reached the top five highest water levels in its history. But with levels still at major flood stage, the water is still affecting summer fun.

“It took a little longer than expected, but it is what it is,” Brent Johnson said.

His family spent Sunday at Valleyfair in Shakopee. While the park remains open, the parking lot is still flooded. They offer visitors shuttle bus rides to and from other nearby parking areas.

“If you’re on the Wild Thing or the higher elevation attractions, you can see how vast it is and how much flooding has occurred,” Johnson said.

The Johnsons said that while it took a little longer to get in and out of the park, there were fewer people once inside, making it a unique experience.

“It was nice because then we didn’t have to wait in line for hours, you could continue with rides as if we didn’t have to get off. We did the Wild Thing a few times in a row and came a few times later back,” his daughter said.

Early last week, flooding closed the parking lot and three ridesSince then, the water level in the parking lot has dropped a foot or more, according to park rangers.

“It’s going backwards a lot. It’s going in the right direction,” Bonnie Johnson said.

On Sunday, she took a walk with her husband and grandson through a nearby park in Shakopee.

“Can’t bike on the trails if they’re under water,” said her husband, Loren.

Although the levels are not quite at the level of the 1965 flood, the Johnsons say this summer’s flooding reminds them of that time when they were children.

“It’s very similar and it’s amazing. I feel for the farmers and all the people who have so much damage and so much has been washed away,” said Bonnie Johnson.

Valleyfair’s overflow car park will be available again from Monday, but parking is at your own risk and must only be used by four-wheel drive vehicles with sufficient space above.

Any changes will be posted on the Vallyfair website.