St. Croix 360

River stories to inspire stewardship.

  • Share News
  • Event Calendar
  • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Support

Stillwater completes dike, watches water levels and weather forecast

Favorable weather conditions have decreased the chance of destructive flooding, and officials remain cautiously optimistic while preparations are completed.

By Greg Seitz | March 28, 2019 | 3 minute read

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print
  • More
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • Telegram

Workers and volunteers completed a sand berm to protect downtown Stillwater from flood waters yesterday. The St. Croix River is predicted to rise about another foot and crest at the city on Sunday, if no rain comes.

Calls for additional volunteers this week were quickly met with willing workers from the community. Crews yesterday morning were laying plastic over the sand berm, and weighing it down with sandbags. Others kept a steady stream of sandbags coming.

The chance of severe flooding has been reduced recently, as the snow melt has been moderated by cool nights, and no precipitation has fallen. While there is still a lot of snow left on the ground throughout the watershed, no rain is in the forecast.

In the forecast released today, the National Weather Service predicted only about a 25 percent chance of major flooding at the 689-foot level. Earlier in March, there was a 90 percent chance of such significant high water.

Flood forecast

  • Forecast for next seven days.
  • Chance of flooding levels over season.
  • Weekly chances of flooding.

The river level hit 687 today, putting it in the top 10 all-time recorded crests, and reaching what the National Weather Service considers “moderate” flood stage.

Stillwater mayor Ted Kozlowski analyzed some of the data and found that major floods have increased in frequency in recent decades.

“I created a little chart that shows all major flood events since 1950 and more than half have occured since 2010,” Kozlowski wrote. “I really hope this is not the ‘new normal’ for our river and our town.”

Chart of record floods since 1950, courtesy NOAA and Ted Kozlowski.

Social media highlights:

Flooding/sandbagging along the St. Croix in Hudson @WCCO pic.twitter.com/NAyHNJZ0Kv

— Erin Hassanzadeh WCCO (@erinreportsTV) March 26, 2019

Minimum Security work crews from MCF-Stillwater and MCF-Lino Lakes partnered with Bayport Police to assist with flood prevention efforts. The City of Bayport needed 10,000 sand bags to curb the rising St. Croix River flood waters and MN DOC stepped up to help. #OneMinnesota pic.twitter.com/nEw6MBFDc6

— MN Dept. of Corrections (@MinnCorrections) March 26, 2019

Related

Follow

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter

St. Croix 360 is 100% supported by readers.

Click here to contribute →

 

Latest stories

  • No wakes allowed on lower St. Croix due to high water
  • Snake River Canoe Race sees fast times and smooth paddling
  • Developer proposes 12 new ‘cabins’ on St. Croix River

More news

  • Residents resist St. Croix Falls riverside development proposal
  • Birds, Bugs, and Blooms: A St. Croix 360 spring Saturday
  • Tribal officials applaud plan to change derogatory names for places
  • Stillwater teen drowns in St. Croix River while helping save friend
  • Afton State Park phenology May 13 to 19, 2022
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

About

St. Croix 360 builds support for river stewardship, and connects people and organizations. It is an independent news source produced by Greg Seitz, with past support from the St. Croix River Association.

Donate to St. Croix 360 today »

Story of 360

One of the biggest challenges facing the St. Croix River is harmful blooms of algae in in the lower river, due to excess nutrients in runoff. The goal is to restore the river by reducing phosphorus levels to 360 tons/year. Learn more »

Share Your News

St. Croix 360 is powered by a broad community of St. Croix River-loving people. Please visit our submission page to send tips, press releases, and other news.

Submit an Event

Lower St. Croix: St. Croix 360 partners with online calendar St. Croix Splash.

  • Submit your events to Splash.
  • Share it with St. Croix 360 for promotion.

For events elsewhere in the watershed, contact St. Croix 360 directly.

St. Croix 360 Syndication

To help increase awareness of the St. Croix River, news organizations and other outlets are free to share St. Croix 360 content, as long as you follow a few simple rules.

Republish St. Croix 360 stories »

Partners

  • St. Croix River Association
  • St. Croix Watershed Research Station
  • ArtReach St. Croix
  • You and all St. Croix 360's readers!
Handcrafted in May Township, Minnesota. Please contribute today »
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
 

Loading Comments...