Arts & Entertainment

Party with a Purpose: St. Croix River Fest is July 13-18

The following was written by Paul Bourget, who serves on the board of the St. Croix River Association and is the chair for the 2013 River Awareness Week:

Every year the St. Croix River Association sponsors River Awareness Week during the latter half of July. Its purpose is to recognize the importance of the St. Croix River for those of us who are fortunate enough to live and recreate here.

River Awareness Week this year runs from 13-21 July and, as in previous years, it is held to advance the restoration, protection and celebration of the entire St. Croix basin.

This year, Hudson will also mark the occasion by launching its own RiverFest that will run from July 13-18.

When seen as a whole the St. Croix is a most impressive waterway. It encompasses 7,700 square miles, has 13,000 miles of shore-land, is situated within 13 counties in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and has 255 river miles within its National Park System.

Its major tributaries consist of the Kettle, Snake and Sunrise Rivers that flow in from the west; and the Nemekagon, Willow, Apple and Kinnickinnic Rivers that flow in from the east.

The towns of Stillwater, Hayward, Hudson, St. Croix Falls, Somerset, Marine-on-the St. Croix, Scandia, River Falls, Osceola, Grantsburg, Taylors Falls, Spooner, Turtle Lake, Hinckley, Afton, Pine City, Prescott and New Richmond all lie within the St. Croix basin.

The Upper St. Croix and Namekagon Rivers are among the original rivers protected under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, which was signed into law in 1968. The Lower St. Croix was subsequently added in 1972.

In its entirety, the St. Croix is a rich, transitional waterway that flows from the Superior Upland physiographic region in the north to the Central Lowland in the south before converging with the Mississippi. It lies at the intersection of three biomes: the Northern Boreal Forest, the Prairie and the Deciduous Forest. The basin is rich in flora and fauna.

Surveys have found 332 species of invertebrates, including an abundant community of 40 species of freshwater mussels. There are 110 species of fishes that have been recorded within the basin, 18 species of amphibians, and 14 reptile species.

Mammals that are associated with the basin include muskrat, beaver, mink, river otter, and even the occasional moose. It is also a major migration corridor for hundreds of species of birds.

The St. Croix is historically significant for the rich diversity of ethnic groups that have been attracted to the area over the years.

The historical border of the Dakota and Ojibway Nations lies within its boundaries. The Native American populations were followed by fur trappers and traders, lumbermen, steamboat captains, and farmers.

In recognition of this rich natural and cultural character, there is an effort being spearheaded by the St. Croix Valley Foundation to designate the entire St. Croix area as a National Heritage site.

Despite its National Wild and Scenic River designation and inclusion in the National Park System, the St. Croix’s natural beauty faces a number of threats.

Its close proximity to the Twin Cities creates stressors as a result of urban sprawl and intense recreational activity. Resident agricultural practices and urbanization have resulted in high nutrient loading.

Accordingly, Lake St. Croix was designated an impaired waterway for excess phosphorus in 2008, and two major tributaries - the Sunrise and Willow - were similarly designated.

American Rivers saw fit to call it one of the 10 most endangered rivers in the nation. There is also the on-going threat of incursion by invasive species, such as the zebra mussel and Asian carp.

All of these threats are manageable and steps are underway by SCRA, the National Park Service and others to ensure the continued vitality of the basin.

River Awareness Week plays a major role in that process by empowering residents to take an active role in conserving the river and its vital resources.

In conjunction with River Awareness Week, Hudson plans to launch its first RiverFest – a Party with a Purpose.  Several area organizations and individuals have banded together over the past few months to host a number of river-themed events over a six-day period.

In addition to the annual clean-up, the following activities are in the works:

  • Steamboat Kings Concert and SOS Players in the Bandshell
  • Kayak/canoe Flotillas
  • Workshops
  • SCRA Canoe Raffle
  • Bike Trip to Afton and Back: the Ice Cream Trail
  • Fishing Demos and Excursions
  • Displays and Open Houses
  • Yoga in the Park
  • Log Rolling
  • A Commissioned Sculpture
  • Park Barbecues

As we move closer to RiverFest, updates will be posted at:  www.riverawarenessweek.org Thanks for your interest in preserving the beauty of our river, and we look forward to seeing you all at RiverFest!  


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