• Canoeists paddle by tree lined shores

    Saint Croix

    National Scenic Riverway WI,MN

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  • High Water

    The rivers are running high and fast and the water is cold. Be prepared and cautious if venturing out on the rivers! Watch for debris and low clearance under bridges.

  • Wells Closed

    Beginning in 2013, water will no longer be available at McDowell Bridge Landing, Riverside Landing, and the Marshland District Office on Highway 70. Please plan accordingly and bring an adequate supply of water.

Insects, Spiders, Centipedes, Millipedes

A damselfly, landed on a green leaf. The wings a black tipped and the body is a shiny green.

A River Jewelwing damselfly lands on a leaf.

NPS

Insects can be ugly or beautiful. Some mange to be both at different stages of their life. At times The Riverway can have too many insects, with mosquitoes, black flies and ticks abounding.

Dragonflies are part of what makes the Riverway special. A new species, the St. Croix Snaketail, was discovered in 1993 and has brought attention to the variety and quantityof dragonflies to be seen both in and out of the water. A list of Dragonfly species.

Butterflies also add color to the Riverway. From early spring to late fall they can be seen flying and landing on plants and river shorelines. A list of Butterfly species

Did You Know?

winged dragonfly with a clubbed tail and yellow and black markings

A new species of dragonfly, the St. Croix Snaketail, was discovered within St. Croix NSR in 1989.  It has only been found to reproduce in one other river in Wisconsin.  It prefers large streams with fast flow and clean water, abundant cobble and gravel with sand bottoms in forested watersheds. More...