Island Park was underwater Saturday as the St. Joseph River level eclipsed 12 feet.
Leader photo/CRAIG HAUPERT

Island Park in Niles was almost completely underwater Saturday morning as the St. Joseph River reached a level of over 12 feet.

A young girl stands on a tree trunk on the bank of the St. Joseph River near the playground at Riverfront Park in Niles Saturday. Leader photo/CRAIG HAUPERT

The river was so engorged that water began spilling out into Riverfront Park, making several swinging benches and picnic tables near the playground inaccessible without wading boots.

The river level was predicted to crest at 12.8 feet at 6 p.m. Sunday, according to the National Weather Service’s Advanced Hydrological Prediction Service.

The river level in Niles was at around 8 feet Wednesday, meaning it rose over four feet in three days.

The record high river level is 15.1 feet, set in April 5, 1950.

River levels in Niles between 11 and 14 feet fall into the minor flood stage category, according to the National Weather Service.

Flood stage is 11 feet.