River Levels

A river is the culmination of many smaller streams and brooks, and typically the farther you venture up a river the less water you will encounter. Because of this, upper sections of the rivers can become shallow and paddling conditions poor, even early in the season, without consistent rainfall.

Boaters and paddlers should know their equipment, know their limits, and obtain a current weather forecast before venturing onto the St. Croix or Namekagon Rivers. Respect the ever changing Northwoods environment, as storms and high winds can occur throughout the season. Remember, you are responsible for your own safety. Proper planning and alertness to your surroundings should keep the weather where it belongs-as a topic of conversation, not a cause of harm.

Park staff monitors conditions and updates this information weekly, and at other times if conditions warrant. Condition reports are based on:

• Volume of river flow in cubic feet per second (cfs) at electronically monitored locations
• River level height as observed by park personnel and volunteers at gages located at County Highway T on the St. Croix, and Namekagon Dam on the Namekagon

River conditions are based on levels at the times listed below. As river conditions can vary greatly throughout the year due to precipitation and location, river users should consult the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) websites listed below to check current conditions.

 

NAMEKAGON RIVER CONDITIONS

Updated Monday, June 17, at 4:30 PM

Namekagon Dam to Hayward

USGS gage at Leonards Bridge: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wi/nwis/uv?site_no=05331833
Namekagon Dam gage: 2.35 ft on Wednesday June 12
Water temperature at Leonards Bridge: 64^o F
Streamflow at Leonards Bridge: 218 cfs
Namekagon Dam to Highway M: Floatable to challenging as water levels drop
Highway M to Hayward: Floatable

Hayward to Trego

Hayward to Earl: Floatable
Earl to Trego: Floatable

County K Landing to Riverside Landing

County K to Namekagon Trail: Floatable
Namekagon Trail to Riverside Landing: Floatable

 

ST. CROIX RIVER CONDITIONS

Updated Monday, June 17, at 4:30 PM

Gordon Dam to Riverside Landing

Gage at County Highway T: No recent report
Gordon Dam to CCC Bridge: Floatable to challenging conditions as water levels drop
CCC Bridge to Riverside Landing: Floatable

Riverside Landing to Sand Creek Landing

USGS gage near Danbury, Wisconsin: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wi/nwis/uv?site_no=05333500
Water temperature at Danbury, Wisconsin: 70^o F
Streamflow at Danbury, Wisconsin: 1620 cfs
Riverside Landing to Thayers Landing: Floatable
Thayers Landing to Sand Creek Landing: Floatable

Sand Creek Landing to Highway 70

USACE gage at Norway Point Landing: http://www.mvp-wc.usace.army.mil/dcp/GTBW3.html
Gage height: 5.5 feet
Sand Creek Landing to Nelsons Landing: Water is high and fast due to recent rainfall
Nelsons Landing to Highway 70: Floatable

Highway 70 to U.S. Highway 8

Highway 70 to Sunrise Ferry Landing: Floatable
Sunrise Ferry Landing to Nevers Dam: Floatable
Nevers Dam Landing to St. Croix Falls/Taylors Falls: Floatable

U.S. Highway 8 to Osceola Landing

USGS gage near St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wi/nwis/uv?site_no=05340500
Water temperature at St. Croix Falls: 70^o F
Streamflow at St. Croix Falls: 6410cfs
MN/WI Interstate Parks to Osceola Landing: Floatable; water level is high due to recent rainfall

Osceola Landing to Soo Line High Bridge

Osceola Landing to Log House Landing: Floatable; water level is high due to recent rainfall
Log House Landing to High Bridge: Floatable; water level is high due to recent rainfall

Soo Line High Bridge to Stillwater, Minnesota

USGS gage near Stillwater, Minnesota: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mn/nwis/uv?site_no=05341550
Water temperature at Stillwater, MN: 72F
Gage height at Stillwater, MN: 680.2 feet above sea level
High Bridge to Stillwater: Floatable; most islands in this area are under water