Osceola Landing Limited Parking for Opener

Could a message be posted on your St. Croix River Forum concerning limited parking at the Osceola Landing for the Wisconsin opener tomorrow?

The boat launch will be open for use on Saturday, May 4, but due to recent high water the picnic area and overflow parking area at that location will remain closed. This will result in very limited parking for vehicles and trailers at the landing.

Alternative locations for launching boats should be considered.

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration in sharing this information with your website members.

Regards,

Dale
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Dale Cox
Park Ranger
St. Croix National Scenic Riverway

This is an outrage! We need those in authority to do their job and maintain the proper water levels. They must also arrange for perfect weather. You people up there need to take them to task. I say launch a formal inquiry, and then no matter what the facts are throw them out. I, for one will no longer tolerate ineptitude and being dismissed..where is Osceola anyways?

God’s Country.

hmmm. Not sure how I feel about that msg. I’ll back whatever Mike W thinks.

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God’s Country.

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Too soon for me to pass through the pearly gates.

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hmmm. Not sure how I feel about that msg. I’ll back whatever Mike W thinks.

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My thought is unlock the gates to the park and the problem will be solved. Not sure why they have it closed. Maybe they are still looking at the old river level forecast.

Can you send that message back to him Brian.

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This is an outrage! We need those in authority to do their job and maintain the proper water levels. They must also arrange for perfect weather. You people up there need to take them to task. I say launch a formal inquiry, and then no matter what the facts are throw them out. I, for one will no longer tolerate ineptitude and being dismissed..where is Osceola anyways?

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Being in WI, I’d say that BK’s description of it being in God’s country is pretty accurate

I like your proposal though, I wonder if it would work for our government

Mike and all,

Here’s the response to your question Mike.

Thank you for contacting me about the questions concerning the status of Osceola Landing. We realize that this closure comes (as it did in 2011) at the worst possible time.

Unlike other landings along the St. Croix River, the Osceola Landing and Picnic Area is actually located on an island in the middle of the St. Croix, the soil of which is composed mostly of sand. Due to its low profile, during a high water event such as this the soil will begin to become saturated even if the river does not rise over its banks. For this area to begin to dry out, the river needs to recede to a somewhat “normal” level (below 10-12,000 cfs) for several days. With the potential for vehicles and trailers to get stuck, as well the potential damage to the limited soil and vegetation in the area, this area is closed at times such as this,

The boat launches and parking lot adjacent to them, being paved, are higher that the rest of the area and typically do not flood out until the river reaches a level around 30,000 cfs, so these remain open at this time.

If I can be of further assistance to you or your forum members, please let me know.

Regards,

Dale

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Dale Cox
Park Ranger
St. Croix National Scenic Riverway

Here I thought maybe they where just worried about the water coming up and flooding the park while guys where out fishing as its lower than the ramp parking lot.