The St. Croix Basin is rich in water resources. There are hundreds of miles of streams in this area of the state. The St. Croix River's headwaters are at St. Croix Lake near Solon Springs, Wisconsin, from where it flows west and south over 160 miles until it joins the Mississippi River at Prescott, Wisconsin. Approximately 80 percent (129 miles) of the St. Croix River forms part of the boundary between Wisconsin and Minnesota. The upper 20 percent of the river is entirely within Wisconsin. The watershed covers approximately 7,760 square miles and extends from near Mille Lacs Lake in Minnesota on the west to near Cable, Wisconsin, on the east. Approximately 40 to 50 percent of the watershed is located in Minnesota.

The river crosses three major ecoregions and provides protection for a rich riparian zone, originating in a region of northern spruce and pine and flows southwesterly through hardwood forests and prairie, eventually joining the Mississippi River. The river supports 95 fish species, beaver, muskrat, and otters. Eagles, osprey, and ducks nest along the river. Insects, 41 species of fresh water mussels, and hundreds of other species of plants and animals make the St. Croix their home.

During the 1950s and '60s, a burgeoning population from the Twin Cities continued to push for development and increased recreational usage of the St. Croix River. Worried that continued urban stresses would put the natural resources of the watershed at risk, concerned citizens and politicians pushed for the St. Croix to be included in the original National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, which includes the Namekagon River in Wisconsin and the upper portion of the St. Croix, was established as part of that original Act in 1968. The Lower St. Croix National Scenic Riverway was added in 1972. This park is one of the most biologically diverse national parks of the Midwest.

The states of Minnesota and Wisconsin both also recognized that the St. Croix was of exceptional quality, deserving of protection. Minnesota has designated the entire St. Croix as well as its Kettle River tributary as Outstanding Resource Value Waters. Wisconsin has designated portions of the St. Croix as an Exceptional Resource water and the remainder as an Outstanding Resource Water. Wisconsin has also declared the its Namekagon River tributary as an Outstanding Resource Water.

There are many unique and interestings within our basin. Follow this link to see our feature. Did you know???