Oshkosh issues minor flood advisory, offers sandbags as Fox River and Lake Winnebago rise

Oshkosh engineering and utilities officials warned residents late April 22 that the Fox River and Lake Winnebago pool levels have risen into minor flood stage and could crest early next week, and they announced sandbag availability and support for at‑risk residents.

The city’s engineering and utilities director said the Army Corps gauge in Oshkosh was reading about 3.75 ft; the city’s minor flood stage is 3.70 ft. The Corps forecast the crest between about 3.8 and 4.0 ft, depending on wind and inflows. "We are currently at a minor flood stage," the director said, and added the level was expected to continue rising through the weekend.

Staff identified low‑lying areas likely to be affected — including neighborhoods along Sawyer Creek, the Campbell Road/Senior Center area and intersection quadrants near Taft and Bowman — and said downtown seawalls should protect the central downtown parcels. The city will make sandbags available at designated locations (the former National Guard Armory on North Sawyer Street and the Senior Center north parking lot were cited) and warned that individual sandbags weigh about 50 pounds.

Officials said public works would begin filling sandbags the following day and that the city may deliver pallets to residents who cannot move bags themselves, but staff will not install barriers on private property. The city said it is coordinating with emergency management partners and will issue a press release with locations and hours.

What residents should do: Move valuables to higher ground, watch for city social‑media and press updates about sandbag availability, and call public works or emergency management if they need assistance.

Provenance: topicintro SEG 4824; topfinish SEG 5076.