• Canoeists paddle by tree lined shores

    Saint Croix

    National Scenic Riverway WI,MN

There are park alerts in effect.
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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!

  • 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.

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 Friday May 17 at 9:30 AM

Namekagon Dam to Hayward

USGS gage at Leonards Bridge: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wi/nwis/uv?site_no=05331833
Namekagon Dam gage: No report
Water temperature at Leonards Bridge: 54o F
Streamflow at Leonards Bridge: 296 cfs
Namekagon Dam to Highway M: Water levels are high and fast due to late runoff
Highway M to Hayward: Water levels are high and fast due to late runoff

Hayward to Trego

Hayward to Earl: Water levels are high and fast due to late runoff
Earl to Trego: Water levels are high and fast due to late runoff

County K to Riverside Landing (on the St. Croix River)

County K to Namekagon Trail: Water levels are high and fast due to late runoff
Namekagon Trail to Riverside Landing: Water levels are high and fast due to late runoff

 

ST. CROIX RIVER CONDITIONS

Updated Friday May 17 at 9:30 AM

Gordon Dam to Riverside Landing

Gage at County Highway T: No report
Gordon Dam to CCC Bridge: Water is high and fast due to late runoff
CCC Bridge to Riverside Landing: Water is high and fast due to late runoff

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: 58o F
Streamflow at Danbury, Wisconsin: 2160 cfs
Riverside Landing to Thayers Landing: Water is high and fast and cold due to late runoff
Thayers Landing to Sand Creek Landing: Water is high and fast due to late runoff

Sand Creek Landing to Highway 70

USACE gage at Norway Point Landing: http://www.mvp-wc.usace.army.mil/dcp/GTBW3.html
Gage height: Gage is out of service
Sand Creek Landing to Nelsons Landing: Water is high and fast due to late late runoff
Nelsons Landing to Highway 70: Water is high and fast due to late runoff

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: 62o F
Streamflow at St. Croix Falls: 6000 cfs
MN/WI Interstate Parks to Osceola Landing: Floatable

Osceola Landing to Soo Line High Bridge

Osceola Landing to Log House Landing: Floatable
Log House Landing to High Bridge: Floatable

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: 61o F
Gage height at Stillwater, MN: 678.94 feet above sea level
High Bridge to Stillwater: River level is dropping

 
 

 
  • Ranger Recommended Paddles Ranger Recommended Paddles

    Find the right route for you along the St. Croix and Namekagon Rivers. Read More

  • Plan Your Visit Plan Your Visit

    More tools to help you plan your adventure and enjoy the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Read More

  • River Currents Blog River Currents Blog

    Rangers will focus on the river and items of interest Read More

  • Want to see what the river looks like? Want to see what the river looks like?

    Photos of different stretches are available in the photo gallery. Read More

Did You Know?

Blackand white old photo of three men standing on logs loaded on a wagon with horses attached

In 1872 3,500 men, 1,600 horses and 250 oxen logged off 35,000 acres cutting some 200 million board feet of logs.  "Taylors Falls Reporter".  In 1883 the Boom in Stillwater, Minnesota,  which collected logs coming down the St. Croix River, reported 1,397,417 logs for 217,045,647 board feet.