Basement pumping can resume at some north La Crosse houses

Three houses in north La Crosse will be allowed to pump water from basements into the storm sewer system, because of the continuing high levels of groundwater in the floodplain. 

The city board of public works has granted permission for pumping to three families in the 2800 block of Hamilton Street, near I-90. 

At least one of the homeowners tells the board he’s been pumping his basement steadily for months. 

Last month, the same board put a temporary halt to pumping water onto the street, to prevent the water from turning to ice during cold weather. 

The Mississippi River level in La Crosse, as of Monday noon, was 7.3 feet, compared to the no-wake level of 10 feet.