Search for man who fell into St. Croix River to resume Sunday

The search for a 26-year-old man who fell into the St. Croix River will resume Sunday after Saturday's search on high, swift water proved futile and unsafe.

Andrew Remley of Chisago City fell into the water around 8:45 p.m. Friday, according to the Chisago County Sheriff's Office. Remley, who was with his girlfriend and two young children, was taking a photo near a launch point for the Taylors Falls Scenic Boat Tours when he lost his balance on an angled rock and fell into the choppy water, Chief Deputy Brandon Thyen said Saturday.

Remley's fall occurred at a "funnel point" popular among kayakers, Thyen said.

Friday's search was suspended at 9:45 p.m. because of darkness and the river's speed and height. It resumed Saturday morning but was suspended around noon because conditions were too rough and the water was too opaque to conduct a productive and safe search, Thyen said. The debris and foam were too frothy for an effective aerial search, he said.

"Right now, it is extremely, extremely violent," Thyen said of the water on Saturday afternoon. "The rapids are huge, six-point waves."

Authorities now consider the search to be a recovery rather than a rescue operation, Thyen said.

Water levels have been high because of recent rains, according to the National Weather Service in Chanhassen. The level of the St. Croix near Stillwater was expected to peak just below flood stage Saturday afternoon, then recede.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Taylors Falls Fire Department, Center City Fire Department, National Park Service and the Minnesota State Patrol are involved in the search.

On Friday night and Saturday, the State Patrol conducted an aerial search of the river's east and west banks between Osceola Landing north and the Hwy. 8 bridge.

Natalie Daher • 612-673-1775