Minnesota's North Shore floods draw crowds to roaring Gooseberry Falls

Heavy rain and snowmelt have triggered flooding along Minnesota’s North Shore. Gooseberry Falls State Park, about 40 miles northeast of Duluth, saw major water rises last week. The surge has drawn visitors eager to witness the swollen falls and rushing water. Nearly two inches of rain fell in parts of the area this week. Combined with melting snow, the downpour pushed water levels higher than usual. District Ranger Kyle Stover noted that such conditions are typical for this time of year.

Superior National Forest responded by closing several roads. The shutdowns came after thawing ground, heavy rain, and snowmelt weakened road surfaces. Meanwhile, tourists like Jeanne Lager, who travelled from Austin, arrived to photograph the powerful waterfall. She had expected ideal conditions due to the recent snowmelt and rain.

By Friday, crowds gathered at Gooseberry Falls to see the flooding firsthand. The raging water and dramatic flows became a temporary attraction for onlookers. The flooding stems from a mix of seasonal snowmelt and recent downpours. While roads remain closed in Superior National Forest, visitors continue to flock to the park. Authorities have not yet indicated when conditions will ease.