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• Slow no-wake boating restriction to take effect on St. Croix River
• Stillwater Lift Bridge resumes normal lift schedule for marine traffic

With spring snow melt and recent precipitation, water levels on the St. Croix River are projected to rise to the point where boaters will be required to slow down to minimize shoreline damages.

By Wednesday morning, it is expected that boats will be required to operate at slow no-wake speeds on the St. Croix between Taylors Falls and Prescott.

The special restriction, authorized by state rules in both Minnesota and Wisconsin, is triggered when the level on the St. Croix reaches 683 feet above sea level at Stillwater.

Boaters should consult the National Weather Service Web site for the latest updates on current and projected water levels at http://www.weather.gov/ahps.

Officials from Wisconsin, Minnesota and the National Park Service will be posting signs regarding the slow no-wake requirement at all public accesses, and marina operators have been notified.

The rule is aimed at reducing shoreline erosion and resulting property damage in areas not usually susceptible to wave action at lower water levels.

The high water also means that many islands in the St. Croix will be flooded and unusable for recreational purposes.

The slow no-wake rule will remain in effect until the water level again recedes below the 683-foot level. With rain forecast later this week, the rule may affect anglers taking advantage of the Wisconsin fishing opener this weekend.

While other rivers such as the Mississippi and Minnesota have no such restrictions, boaters are urged to also slow down on those waters in order to minimize shoreline erosion and other property damage.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Boat and Water safety officials also point out that high-running streams and rivers often contain debris floating just below the surface that can pose serious hazards. Boaters should slow down and exercise extra caution in such conditions.

The Stillwater Lift Bridge resumed the normal lift schedule for marine traffic on April 30, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The schedule for Monday through Friday includes a lift every hour, on the hour, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and every half hour from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The bridge also lifts at 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. From 6:30 p.m. to midnight, the bridge will lift every half hour. From midnight to 8 a.m. the bridge tender requires a two-hour notice to open.

On weekends and federal holidays, the bridge opens every half hour from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. From 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., the bridge will open every hour, and from 8 p.m. to midnight, every half hour.

The bridge will only open if there is marine traffic present.

The bridge lift schedule will be in effect until approximately Oct. 15.