The 10 most popular St. Croix 360 stories of 2018

This year's top stories range from eels to pelicans, floods to films, and reality TV to pollution problems.

By St. Croix 360 | December 26, 2018 | 3 minute read

With a week left in the year, it seems like a good time to look back on some of the articles that got the most traffic this year:

10. St. Croix Creature Feature: Eels migrate between the St. Croix River and Atlantic Ocean

American eel (Anguilla rostrata) | Photo: Duane Raver/USFWS

The strange and seldom seen fish grow up in the lower St. Croix, then make an incredible journey back to the Sargasso Sea to breed.

9. Middle Creek Calamity: Authorities investigate St. Croix River damage from stormwater pond overflow

Photo by Greg Seitz, St. Croix 360

Multiple media sources are now reporting on the incident that buried a spring-fed creek in sand, and efforts to restore, prevent, and determine responsibility.

8. St. Croix River flood update: Crest passes Stillwater, no-wake forecast promising

A raging unnamed creek that flows into the Snake River near Grasston, Minn. on Thursday, July 12. (Greg Seitz, St. Croix 360)

A recent rainstorm spiked the water levels, but the week ahead should give the river time to recede.

7. St. Croix River documentary will debut on TPT this Sunday

Explore the river and its history in new film celebrating the 50th anniversary of the St. Croix’s protection by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.

6. ‘Incredible’ rain hits St. Croix River watershed, flood heading downstream

National Weather Service

Half a foot of rain in a few hours has caused the Snake River and other tributaries to rise sharply.

5. Scandia gravel pit overflows, buries St. Croix Valley spring creek

The final stretch of Middle Creek before it joins the St. Croix River. (Greg Seitz, St. Croix 360)

Last week’s big rain causes catastrophic failure of stormwater retention ponds at former mine, current solar facility.

4. St. Croix Valley tree is officially the biggest of its kind in the country

Jennifer Teegarden of the MN DNR takes official measurements.

National organization declares black willow in Marine on St. Croix the largest specimen in America.

3. Reality TV stars experience the St. Croix River and more during Stillwater visit

Garrett Yrigoyen and Becca Kufrin on the banks of the St. Croix River. (Instagram)

Minnesota-born ‘Bachelorette’ favorite Becca Kufrin and her fiancé recently explored the river and the town — and shared it all on social media.

2. High water on the St. Croix after headwaters hit by torrential rain, flash flooding

Upper Tamarack River flooded near the confluence with the St. Croix River. (Photo courtesy Lee Lewis)

Six inches or more fell on parts of the upper St. Croix watershed, sending a lot of water downstream.

1. Uncommon bird species currently abundant on the St. Croix River

A pelican eats a fish on the St. Croix River in Hudson in April 2018. (Greg Seitz, St. Croix 360)

A belated spring migration means interesting species can be seen throughout the watershed.

Related

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The 10 most popular St. Croix 360 stories of 2018

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>With a week left in the year, it seems like a good time to look back on some of the articles that got the most traffic this year:</p>
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<h3><a href="https://www.stcroix360.com/2018/10/st-croix-creature-feature-eels-migrate-between-the-st-croix-river-and-atlantic-ocean/">10. St. Croix Creature Feature: Eels migrate between the St. Croix River and Atlantic Ocean</a></h3>
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<!-- wp:image {"id":15342} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://www.stcroix360.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/6149968041_f0b2b523b8_o-1000x508.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15342"/><figcaption>American eel (Anguilla rostrata) | Photo: Duane Raver/USFWS</figcaption></figure>
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<p>The strange and seldom seen fish grow up in the lower St. Croix, then make an incredible journey back to the Sargasso Sea to breed.</p>
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<div class="wp-block-button is-style-squared"><a class="wp-block-button__link has-text-color has-very-light-gray-color has-background has-vivid-red-background-color" href="https://www.stcroix360.com/2018/10/st-croix-creature-feature-eels-migrate-between-the-st-croix-river-and-atlantic-ocean/">Read more<br></a></div>
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<h3><a href="https://www.stcroix360.com/2018/10/st-croix-stormwater-surge-authorities-investigate-overflow-and-erosion-at-scandia-site/">9. Middle Creek Calamity: Authorities investigate St. Croix River damage from stormwater pond overflow</a></h3>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://www.stcroix360.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20180926_123700-800x600.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15273"/><figcaption>Photo by Greg Seitz, St. Croix 360</figcaption></figure>
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<p>Multiple media sources are now reporting on the incident that buried a spring-fed creek in sand, and efforts to restore, prevent, and determine responsibility.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

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<div class="wp-block-button is-style-squared"><a class="wp-block-button__link has-text-color has-very-light-gray-color has-background has-vivid-red-background-color" href="https://www.stcroix360.com/2018/10/st-croix-stormwater-surge-authorities-investigate-overflow-and-erosion-at-scandia-site/">Read More</a></div>
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<h3><a href="https://www.stcroix360.com/2018/07/st-croix-river-flood-update-crest-passes-stillwater-no-wake-forecast-promising/">8. St. Croix River flood update: Crest passes Stillwater, no-wake forecast promising</a></h3>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://www.stcroix360.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/2018-07-15-20_58_31.gif" alt="" class="wp-image-14936"/><figcaption>A raging unnamed creek that flows into the Snake River near Grasston, Minn. on Thursday, July 12. (Greg Seitz, St. Croix 360)</figcaption></figure>
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<p>A recent rainstorm spiked the water levels, but the week ahead should give the river time to recede.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:button {"backgroundColor":"vivid-red","textColor":"very-light-gray","className":"is-style-squared"} -->
<div class="wp-block-button is-style-squared"><a class="wp-block-button__link has-text-color has-very-light-gray-color has-background has-vivid-red-background-color" href="https://www.stcroix360.com/2018/07/st-croix-river-flood-update-crest-passes-stillwater-no-wake-forecast-promising/">Read More</a></div>
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<h3><a href="https://www.stcroix360.com/2018/06/st-croix-river-documentary-will-debut-on-tpt-this-sunday/">7. St. Croix River documentary will debut on TPT this Sunday</a></h3>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://www.stcroix360.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Wild-and-Scenic-St-Croix-screenshot-1000x562.png" alt="" class="wp-image-14672"/></figure>
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<p>Explore the river and its history in new film celebrating the 50th anniversary of the St. Croix's protection by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:button {"backgroundColor":"vivid-red","textColor":"very-light-gray","className":"is-style-squared"} -->
<div class="wp-block-button is-style-squared"><a class="wp-block-button__link has-text-color has-very-light-gray-color has-background has-vivid-red-background-color" href="https://www.stcroix360.com/2018/06/st-croix-river-documentary-will-debut-on-tpt-this-sunday/">Read More</a></div>
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<h3><a href="https://www.stcroix360.com/2018/07/incredible-rain-hits-st-croix-river-watershed-flood-heading-downstream/">6. ‘Incredible’ rain hits St. Croix River watershed, flood heading downstream</a></h3>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://www.stcroix360.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Snake-River-Mora-flood-July-2018-river-level.png" alt="" class="wp-image-14914"/><figcaption>National Weather Service</figcaption></figure>
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<p>Half a foot of rain in a few hours has caused the Snake River and other tributaries to rise sharply.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:button {"backgroundColor":"vivid-red","textColor":"very-light-gray","className":"is-style-squared"} -->
<div class="wp-block-button is-style-squared"><a class="wp-block-button__link has-text-color has-very-light-gray-color has-background has-vivid-red-background-color" href="https://www.stcroix360.com/2018/07/incredible-rain-hits-st-croix-river-watershed-flood-heading-downstream/">Read More</a></div>
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<h3><a href="https://www.stcroix360.com/2018/09/scandia-gravel-pit-overflows-buries-st-croix-valley-spring-creek/">5. Scandia gravel pit overflows, buries St. Croix Valley spring creek</a></h3>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://www.stcroix360.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20180926_124005-875x600.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15262"/><figcaption>The final stretch of Middle Creek before it joins the St. Croix River. (Greg Seitz, St. Croix 360)</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

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<p>Last week's big rain causes catastrophic failure of stormwater retention ponds at former mine, current solar facility.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:button {"backgroundColor":"vivid-red","textColor":"very-light-gray","className":"is-style-squared"} -->
<div class="wp-block-button is-style-squared"><a class="wp-block-button__link has-text-color has-very-light-gray-color has-background has-vivid-red-background-color" href="https://www.stcroix360.com/2018/09/scandia-gravel-pit-overflows-buries-st-croix-valley-spring-creek/">Read More</a></div>
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<h3><a href="https://www.stcroix360.com/2018/10/its-official-st-croix-valley-tree-is-the-biggest-of-its-kind-in-the-country/">4. St. Croix Valley tree is officially the biggest of its kind in the country</a></h3>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://www.stcroix360.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/black-willow-measuring-1600-cropped-697x416.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-13529"/><figcaption>Jennifer Teegarden of the MN DNR takes official measurements.</figcaption></figure>
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<p>National organization declares black willow in Marine on St. Croix the largest specimen in America.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:button {"backgroundColor":"vivid-red","textColor":"very-light-gray","className":"is-style-squared"} -->
<div class="wp-block-button is-style-squared"><a class="wp-block-button__link has-text-color has-very-light-gray-color has-background has-vivid-red-background-color" href="https://www.stcroix360.com/2018/10/its-official-st-croix-valley-tree-is-the-biggest-of-its-kind-in-the-country/">Read More</a></div>
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<h3><a href="https://www.stcroix360.com/2018/09/reality-tv-stars-experience-the-st-croix-river-and-more-during-stillwater-visit/">3. Reality TV stars experience the St. Croix River and more during Stillwater visit</a></h3>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://www.stcroix360.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/bachelorette-721x600.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-15217"/><figcaption>Garrett Yrigoyen and Becca Kufrin on the banks of the St. Croix River. (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn2bpeMhWBd/">Instagram</a>)</figcaption></figure>
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<p>Minnesota-born 'Bachelorette' favorite Becca Kufrin and her fiancé recently explored the river and the town — and shared it all on social media.</p>
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<!-- wp:button {"backgroundColor":"vivid-red","textColor":"very-light-gray","className":"is-style-squared"} -->
<div class="wp-block-button is-style-squared"><a class="wp-block-button__link has-text-color has-very-light-gray-color has-background has-vivid-red-background-color" href="https://www.stcroix360.com/2018/09/reality-tv-stars-experience-the-st-croix-river-and-more-during-stillwater-visit/">Read More</a></div>
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<h3><a href="https://www.stcroix360.com/2018/06/high-water-on-the-st-croix-after-headwaters-hit-by-torrential-rain-flash-flooding/">2. High water on the St. Croix after headwaters hit by torrential rain, flash flooding</a></h3>
<!-- /wp:heading -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":14732} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://www.stcroix360.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/0E464C38-2812-4FE5-A1E3-AB1D3FB01B4D-800x600.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-14732"/><figcaption>Upper Tamarack River flooded near the confluence with the St. Croix River. (Photo courtesy Lee Lewis)</figcaption></figure>
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<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Six inches or more fell on parts of the upper St. Croix watershed, sending a lot of water downstream.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:button {"backgroundColor":"vivid-red","textColor":"very-light-gray","className":"is-style-squared"} -->
<div class="wp-block-button is-style-squared"><a class="wp-block-button__link has-text-color has-very-light-gray-color has-background has-vivid-red-background-color" href="https://www.stcroix360.com/2018/06/high-water-on-the-st-croix-after-headwaters-hit-by-torrential-rain-flash-flooding/">Read More</a></div>
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<h3><a href="https://www.stcroix360.com/2018/04/uncommon-bird-species-currently-abundant-on-the-st-croix-river/">1. Uncommon bird species currently abundant on the St. Croix River</a></h3>
<!-- /wp:heading -->

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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://www.stcroix360.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/IMG_1458-876x600.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-14407"/><figcaption>A pelican eats a fish on the St. Croix River in Hudson in April 2018. (Greg Seitz, St. Croix 360)</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>A belated spring migration means interesting species can be seen throughout the watershed.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:button {"backgroundColor":"vivid-red","textColor":"very-light-gray","className":"is-style-squared"} -->
<div class="wp-block-button is-style-squared"><a class="wp-block-button__link has-text-color has-very-light-gray-color has-background has-vivid-red-background-color" href="https://www.stcroix360.com/2018/04/uncommon-bird-species-currently-abundant-on-the-st-croix-river/">Read More</a></div>
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