'No Wake Zone' Restriction on St. Croix River Likely through Fourth of July

It appears there may be a "No-wake zone" restriction on the St. Croix River at least through the Fourth of July.

"The St Croix River level has exceeded 683 feet and the No-Wake restriction is in effect," the Washington County Sheriff's Office Facebook status reads. "It looks like it will be restricted at least through the 4th of July."

As of 2 p.m. June 26, the St. Croix River 683.41 feet in Stillwater,according to the National Weather Service. By next week, the river is expected to rise to 684.2 feet.

“Action level” is 680 feet. Flood stage is 687 feet.

The Stillwater Lift Bridge is generally closed when the river reaches 686 feet.

About the Water Levels

The average water level in Stillwater is 675 feet. The following are elevations (in feet) of various impacts due to flooding:

• Stillwater Riverwalk becomes inundated: 678
• Minnesota and Wisconsin may impose a no wake zone on the river: 683
• Due to safety issues, the Stillwater lift bridge will close: 686
• Approximate 100-year flood stage: 692.5

Flood Categories

• Action Stage: 680
• Flood Stage: 687
• Moderate Flood Stage: 688
• Major Flood Stage: 689

Stillwater Flood History

The highest flood elevations (in feet) in Stillwater history are the following, according to the National Weather Service:

1. 694.10 ft on April 18, 1965
2. 692.30 ft on April 27, 2001
3. 692.20 ft on April 16, 1969
4. 691.10 ft on April 16, 2001
5. 690.45 ft on April 12, 1997
6. 689.70 ft on APril 14, 1952
7. 687.90 ft on June 28, 1993
8. 687.50 ft on April 6, 1986
9. 687.30 ft on April 30, 1975

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The statistics and forecasts from this article come from the Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service (NOAA-NWS).