HUDSON, Wis. (WTAQ) - The Stillwater Lift Bridge north of Hudson will be closed at 10 a.m. Tuesday due to ice and high water on the St. Croix River. It’s a popular crossing between northwest Wisconsin and Stillwater Minnesota. The National Weather Service said the river was about 1.6 feet below its flood stage as of Monday afternoon – and it was expected to crest on Friday at its flood stage of 87 feet. Stillwater has set up a 2,000 foot temporary levee to protect its downtown if necessary. The lift bridge will be closed until further notice. Travelers are urged to go about 6 miles to the south and use the Interstate 94 bridge at Hudson – or go north to Osceola and cross on Highway 243.
Meanwhile, the threat of flooding on the Mississippi River appeared to lessen Monday along the Wisconsin border. A flood warning for Pierce County was canceled. Warnings remain in effect further downstream to Vernon County south of La Crosse – but officials said only minor flooding was expected, and no homes should be threatened.
