Higher Speeds on the Upper St Croix

Interesting article in the Friday, October 21st St Paul Pioneer Press “Washington” Section. According to the article: “St Croix River – Troubled Waters”; the National Park Service (NPS) is considering allowing boats to go 15 mph on the 21 miles south of Taylor Falls to the Arcola Sandbar. That stretch now is limited to “Slow Speed” – a somewhat vague restriction that allows about 8 to 10 mph. The NPS Plan also pursues a proposal to make a 20 mph limit on the six miles immediately north of Stillwater. The river’s backwaters and slough areas of the river will be slow, no-wake zones.

Minnesota and wisconsin officials said Thursday they have dropped plans to impose speed limits south of Stillwater – the stretch plied by powerboaters. The states had been considering a 40 mph daytime limit and a 20 mph nighttime limit.

The St Croix River is managed by the National Park Service north of Stillwater and by the Minnesota and Wisconsin DNRs south of the city. The National Park Service officials had been waiting for both state departments to implement speed limits before moving forward with them north of Stillwater, but decided to write their own rules this fall after learning that the states would not pursue the issue.

The proposed NPS speed limits now will be reviewed by the Officer of Management and Budget and be subject to public comments as part of the rule-making process. They could be in place by the start of the next boating season, said Brian Adams, the riverway’s chief ranger.

Personally, I am all in favor of the increased limits from Arcola Sandbar upstream. The current “Slow Speed” restriction sucks for anybody that fishes up in that neck of the woods. A 15 mph limit would be about perfect for me – it would allow me to get on plane and is plenty fast for that small stream type environment. I also like the speed restrictions on the 6 mile section just above Stillwater. This is my primary fishing area – 20 mph is perfect for that stretch – especially at night when I am out there.

I thought I would post this for anybody that had not seen the paper.

Hmmm, I have mixed feelings at this time…

But I sure would like to go to that public comment session!
I wonder how the’ll enforce that speed limit?

I would be in favor of a night time limit of 20 but again…who and how would it be enforced?

Off subject…but why don’t they make the Taylors Falls dam the zebra mussle stopping point? Then they wouldn’t have to man a station?

In response to your “Off the Subject”. What most people don’t know is that because of budget constraints they did not man the Zebra Mussel station every day. They just parked their houseboat there and put up their bouys. I watched quite a few boats just drive right on through and up the river.

Then the next question would be…Why have the house boat there and why limit people?

Sorry Steve…I don’t mean to direct those question towards you…Sometimes I just don’t understand?

The answer to your next question is obvious – The 5 zebra mussels that are in the St Croix might go upstream and maybe have babies. God knows – all of us that trailer our boats and maintain them in any semblance of order are all carrying zebra mussels everywhere we go. We cannot be trusted to implement control measures on our own – let’s just restrict everybody. I worked my whole life looking forward to retiring and fishing the beautiful St Croix River. The year I retired they instituted the upstream travel restriction (how’s that for timing) and it has limited me from easily fishing some of my most productive catfishing spots. NOW!! If I can go 15 mph up in that stretch it does make getting around a lot easier than the current rules. That is why this new higher speed upstream is a good deal for me. If I have to go “Slow Speed” it’s too slow and not worth the effort to trailer up and put in. This may be a partial fix – if it passes.

Now that makes sense…and if it was a little fast…we could out run them….the mussles of course.

Hey, alvinmack5 – How come your picture looks like BrianK? Are you guys twins separated at birth or something?

Whatda talking about Steve!?

On my computer your picture is on alvinmack5’s post and his picture is on your posts. The electrons are doing crazy things tonight – you look good sporting alvinmack5’s hairdo, I must say.

I think your right about those lead fumes…no more pouring sinker for you!