St. Croix River
Wisconsin, Minnesota
In 1968, 200 miles of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, which includes its major tributary the Namekagon, was established as one of the original eight rivers under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. In 1972, an additional 27 miles of the lower St. Croix River was the first riverway segment added to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System by Congress since its inception in 1968. This segment flows along the border of Minnesota and Wisconsin, from Taylor's Falls Dam downstream for 27 miles. This legislation also directed the Secretary of the Interior to add the next 25 miles down to the confluence with the Mississippi River as a state-administered river following application by the governors of Minnesota and Wisconsin (under Section 2(a)(ii) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act). This approval was given on June 17, 1976.
The St. Croix and Namekagon Rivers offer clean water, gliding or rushing past a lush green landscape, with glimpses of a human presence. Choose to canoe and camp amid the northwoods, or boat and fish surrounded by wooded bluffs and historic towns. This river corridor provides bountiful scenic views and a haven for wildlife near a major metropolitan area.
Designated Reach
October 2, 1968: The segment between the dam near Taylor Falls, Minnesota, and the dam near Gordon, Wisconsin. The Namekagon River from Lake Namekagon downstream to its confluence with the St. Croix River.
October 25, 1972: The segment from the dam near Taylors Falls, Minnesota, downstream 27 miles.
June 17, 1976: The segment from the confluence with the Mississippi River upstream 25 miles.
Outstandingly Remarkable Values
Culture
The continuum of human occupation along the St. Croix and Namekagon Rivers encompasses diverse cultures and uses. People have lived along the rivers for at least 12,000 years, since the final retreat of the glaciers at the end of the most recent ice age, and have continually taken advantage of the abundant natural resources. As a connection between the Mississippi River and Lake Superior, these rivers served as an American Indian trade route and a corridor with a wealth of natural resources. Some areas remain important cultural sites to tribes for religious and traditional activities.
Beginning in the late 1600s, Europeans came to the area to exploit the fur resources. European fur traders traveled the rivers to trade, primarily with the Dakota and Ojibwe. Evidence of these interactions includes fur posts, portages, and campsites. With the 1837 treaty that opened the area to settlement by European Americans and the decline of the fur trade, logging became the primary economic driver.
Ecology
Unlike many rivers that have been manipulated to serve the needs of industry and commerce, the St. Croix and Namekagon remain connected to their floodplain. As a result, both rivers have high-quality riparian zones, with those along the St. Croix River being generally larger in size due to its larger floodplain. Riparian zones are the interface between the land and the river and are important ecologically for their unique habitats and high biodiversity.
Geology
The geologic story of St. Croix National Scenic Riverway is rich. It includes the Midcontinent Rift with exposed igneous rock, sedimentary bedrock, glacial features, and fluvial landforms. The Midcontinent Rift occurred about one billion years ago when the North American continent began to split apart. The rift failed but not before lava flowed from it and cooled, forming basalt. Sedimentary rock, including Cambrian sandstones and Ordovician carbonate, were laid down when the area was covered by a vast inland sea 500 million years ago. During the glacial retreat about 10,000 years ago, a series of proglacial lakes formed at the retreating front of the glaciers; one of them was Glacial Lake Duluth. Other glacial features along the Riverway include deposits such as moraines, glacial outwash, till, and lake clays.
Recreation
From its headwaters to its confluence with the Mississippi, the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway offers a diverse continuum of high-quality, multi-season recreational experiences within a short drive of a large metropolitan area. The St. Croix River offers outdoor enthusiasts a chance to enjoy a wilderness-like experience and a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities. On the upper portion of the St. Croix and Namekagon Rivers, Class I-II rapids challenge the canoeist. The lower St. Croix is popular for recreational enthusiasts, who enjoy canoeing, boating, fishing, rock climbing, and hiking along its scenic shores. At the very lowest end, where the river widens as Lake St. Croix, power and sail boating are popular. Anglers, campers, picnickers, swimmers. and birdwatchers enjoy its variety of scenery throughout.
Scenery
A dynamic range of colors, textures, landforms, and historic and cultural sights provides visitors with a sense of anticipation as they round the bend in a canoe or kayak or as they drive through the valley. Nationally known for their scenic and aesthetic beauty, the St. Croix and Namekagon Rivers offer a wide variety of visual experiences. Scenic views from the river include adjacent landscape features such as pine barren forests, wild rice waving in the breeze, the spectacular basalt outcroppings of the Dalles, and the ochre of sandstone bluffs.
Documents
Classification/Mileage
Video
The St. Croix River Association works throughout the watershed to protect and enhance this National Park that flows through its heart. Experience the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway through the eyes of the people whose lives have been touched by the river in this video, created with the help of SCRA members and volunteers and the creative talents of Don't Blink.
How Is the Lower St. Croix Riverway Protected? In 1972, the lower St. Croix River became one of our country’s few national Wild and Scenic Rivers. Minnesota and Wisconsin adopted zoning standards for a strip of land along the St. Croix River’s shores. This Riverway overlay zone consists of building restrictions intended to preserve the wild and scenic character of the Lower St. Croix Wild and Scenic River. The riverway regulations are designed to protect water quality, provide habitat for birds, fish, and wildlife, and maintain a relatively unspoiled view for the millions of visitors drawn to the Riverway.
The St. Croix River Association's (SCRA) Land program helps preserve the natural beauty of the Lower St. Croix Riverway through partnerships with local governments, landowners, and realtors. SCRA provides education about the unique protections in the Riverway and vital resources to encourage consistency and transparency of land-use decisions throughout the river corridor. Where Is the Riverway Boundary? The Riverway Boundary spans 52 miles from Taylor’s Falls/St. Croix Falls to Prescott/Hayward. On average, the boundary extends a quarter-mile out from the river’s edge. However, in some places, the boundary is wide, and in other places, the boundary can be very narrow.
Experience paddling the Namekagon River in 2015 with the St. Croix River Association. The Namekagon River is part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, a National park. Video by Kyle Sanderson, 2015 Paddle Namekagon participant.
The Namekagon River is part of the St. Croix national scenic riverway. This video is the latest in our St. Croix series. We paddle 50 miles from Cable WI. to Trego. Canoe camping along the way. I'll give a few campsite tours, river descriptions and show some beautiful scenery, fishing was good, and the company better.