Canton's Heritage Park is Underwater

Heavy rains over the weekend have propelled the Etowah River to overflow its banks into Heritage Park. 

The park is currently underwater, forcing it to close to residents looking to get some exercise in before the Christmas holiday.

As of 8:15 a.m., the river was 18.42 feet and is expected to rise to nearly 19.4 feet by Monday afternoon, according to the Cherokee Sheriff's Office Division of Emergency Management.

The river is expected to fall below flood stage — 16 feet — by Tuesday morning. 

Further downstream near the I-575 bridge, the river stood at 22.63 feet as of 7:45 a.m. 

Flood stage for the river in this area is at 17 feet, and waters from the river have covered the grassy lot behind the city of Canton's pump station and the area behind businesses along Old Ball Ground Highway. 

In Woodstock, recent downpours forced the city to temporarily close Olde Rope Mill Park. 

As of 7:15 a.m., waters in Little River measured 10.67 feet and the division said the waters were reportedly falling. 

The city was able to re-open the park just before noon Monday. 

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