Wolf River Flooding Prompts Lowland Evacuations in Fremont Area as River Nears Major Stage
- Weyauwega Fremont News
- Apr 15
- 4 min read
WEYAUWEGA-FREMONT, WI – With the raising of historic water levels along the Wolf River, evacuations have been declared in low-lying areas across Fremont, Weyauwega, and New London, as officials continue to monitor a significant spring flood event.
What Changed with the Wolf River Today
New evacuation notices have been issued for low-lying river areas in Weyauwega, Fremont and New London,
The Waupaca County Sheriff's office says, "Anyone specially within the areas shown in the maps attached that low lying river areas are being advised to evacuate due to dangerous flood waters. If you choose to remain in place, your safety cannot be guaranteed and it is highly recommended you evacuate to ensure your safety"
Residents who returned home in low places in Weyauwega who received earlier notices are being asked to prepare to leave again.
As of now, no issues or problems are seen with the Weyauwega Mill pond dam.
Officials stress conditions can change quickly, especially with the continued rising water
Waupaca County and Local Officials Urge residents to sign up for R.A.V.E
The Waupaca County Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to sign up for the Rave Mobile Safety system, which delivers real-time emergency alerts directly to your phone. The free system provides updates on evacuations, road closures, and rapidly changing conditions. Residents can sign up by visiting the Waupaca County website or clicking here “Waupaca County Rave Alert” online and registering with a phone number or email.
Current Wolf River Levels and Forecast
According to the National Water Prediction Service, the Wolf River at New London was measured at 10.67 feet as of 2:30 PM on April 15, already above moderate flood stage.
Flood categories at that location are:
Flood stage: 9.0 feet
Moderate flooding: 10.5 feet
Major flooding: 11.1 feet
The river is forecast to crest at approximately 11.6 feet Friday evening, entering major flood stage. Current projections show water levels remaining elevated, with the river not expected to fall below 11 feet until early next week, potentially around Tuesday, April 22.
Many longtime residents note that Fremont typically sees lower river levels than New London, with a delay in rise of roughly 6-12 hours. However, with the amount of recent rainfall and saturated ground, officials say this event is difficult to compare to past years.
Expected Timeline
Wednesday: Rivers above flood stage, lowland flooding ongoing
Friday evening: Projected crest near 11.6 feet (1 additional foot for New London)
Weekend: Continued high water levels
Early next week: Gradual drop begins
Weather Outlook and Its Impact
The National Weather Service is forecasting additional chances of rain through Friday night and into Saturday, with total rainfall generally expected to range from a half inch to around one inch across the area. While widespread heavy rainfall is not currently expected, even these lighter amounts can raise the water level with the flood basin so full.
Evacuations Focused on Low-Lying Areas
Residents in low-lying areas are encouraged to plan ahead for pets, as not all shelters may be able to accommodate them.
Officials are also urging residents to sign up for the Rave Mobile Safety system to receive real-time alerts and updates.
Local Impacts Already Developing
Flooding impacts are already being seen throughout the Weyauwega Fremont area, including:
Gills on the Wolf is managing to keep the water out with pumps and sandbags.
Fort Fremont has canceled the Fort Fremont Classic Fishing tournament
Road closures in impacted areas, including parts of New London
Where Residents Can Get Sandbags
Sandbags are being made available in several communities across Waupaca County, with distribution typically coordinated by local public works departments, fire departments, and emergency management.
Residents in affected areas should check with:
Their local city or village hall
Public works departments
Fire departments or emergency management pages on Facebook
In many cases, sand and bags are being provided, but residents may need to fill and transport the bags themselves.
Officials recommend calling ahead or checking official social media pages for the most up-to-date locations and availability, as distribution sites can change based on demand and river conditions.
Dams Being Closely Monitored
Ongoing attention is being given to the Shawano Dam and the Balsam Row Dam, both of which play a key role in managing water levels along the Wolf River system.
At this time, all dams are holding, and there have been no reports of structural failure. Both are long-standing structures designed to manage high water events, but continued monitoring is critical during prolonged flooding.
If conditions were to change, including any concern involving dam integrity, officials say larger evacuation orders would be issued immediately by law enforcement and Waupaca County Emergency Management.
What Residents Should Do
Residents are encouraged to stay alert and take practical precautions:
Monitor updates from local officials and emergency management
Sign up for emergency alerts through the Rave Mobile Safety system
Avoid driving through flooded roads
Prepare essential items, including medications, chargers, and important documents
Have an evacuation plan ready if located near the river
For updates, residents can call 211. Emergency lines such as 911 should be reserved for urgent situations only.
A Situation to Take Seriously
While this is a serious and evolving flood event, officials stress that evacuations are currently limited to low-lying areas, and infrastructure, including dams, remains stable.
With the river expected to peak later this week, conditions will continue to be monitored closely. For now, the focus remains on preparedness, awareness, and community response. Watch Waupaca County Sheriffs Office for more details!
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