Stillwater builds flood levee to protect downtown
City crews have built a 1,700-foot levee of concrete barriers to protect downtown Stillwater from the rising St. Croix River.
The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports Thursday that officials now expect the river to rise to 686.7 feet above sea level on Wednesday, which would be between minor and moderate flood stage.
The river's normal level is 675 feet.
The city's public works director, Shawn Sanders, says the river hasn't reached 686.7 feet since the 2001 flood, when it was just above 692 feet.
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If the water hits the predicted crest, Sanders says it will be near the lift station for the city's sewer system and the popular Dock Cafe.
The National Weather Service forecasts the crest would also be enough to bring water in some resident's basements and flood the Stillwater Riverwalk.
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Information from: St. Paul Pioneer Press
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)