Upper St. Croix

Watershed Hydrology

The Upper St. Croix Watershed (HUC 07030001) spans over 3,500 square miles in northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. The region is characterized by steep, forested terrain with abundant lakes and streams. The watershed is part of the St. Croix River Basin, which flows into the Mississippi River. Hydrology in the area is heavily influenced by snowmelt and precipitation, which can lead to flooding during the spring and summer months. The snowpack in the region is typically deep and persistent, with some areas receiving up to 100 inches of snowfall annually. Surface water in the watershed is dominated by lakes, with over 700 natural and man-made lakes present. The region is also home to a number of reservoirs, which are used for hydroelectric power generation, flood control, and recreation. Interesting climatic facts and trends in the area include a warming trend in average temperatures over the past century, an increase in extreme weather events, and changes in precipitation patterns. These trends have implications for water resources and ecosystem health in the region.


Surface Flows

Upper St. Croix Watershed

Snowpack Depths

Upper St. Croix Watershed

Dams & Reservoirs

Upper St. Croix Watershed

Groundwater Levels

Upper St. Croix Watershed

Upper St. Croix Rivers

Rivers of the Watershed