STILLWATER, Minn. — Washington County has declared a state of emergency rising flood water of the St. Croix River threaten the historic town of Stillwater.
Crews are busy sandbagging and pumping water from businesses along the river in downtown Stillwater.
Bystanders paused at the barricades and sandbags that not only ensured their own safety, but also hopefully prevented area businesses from being flooded.
“It wasn’t like that yesterday,” Charlie Rouse, Jr. said.
Rouse has watched the river rise in recent weeks. It is a great concern to see the water covering benches, parking lots and the gazebo along the river.
He works for the St. Croix Valley Opera. Floodwaters can pose a problem for Opera on the River, an annual event in July.
“I hope it drops enough and the grass is dry enough because we have to bring in a lot of equipment, trucks and stage the whole production for the show,” Rouse said.
Families watched as crews waded through floodwaters to prevent debris from piercing sandbags.
“We just wanted to come here and check it out because we’re used to coming here and walking up and down, but today we can’t do that because it’s so high,” said Zack Mernin.
The high water couldn’t stop the lunch crowd at the Doc Stillwater Restaurant.
“A lot of people have come to see our water view, but our patio is still open,” says manager Matthew Tessmer.
Part of the outdoor terrace is closed off.
“We had a shed there and we had to lift it up with pallets so it wouldn’t get washed away,” Tessmer said.
But for now, Doc Stillwater is open for business with hopes that the rising waters will subside soon. The St. Croix River is expected to reach moderate flood stage Sunday.
Reg Chapman
