Lower St. Croix
Watershed Hydrology
The Lower St. Croix Watershed, located in Minnesota and Wisconsin, covers an area of approximately 1,728 square miles. The watershed is fed by both surface and groundwater sources, with the St. Croix River being the main surface water feature. The hydrology of the watershed is influenced by precipitation, temperature, and land use practices. Snowpack in the watershed can vary greatly from year to year, with the winter of 2020-2021 being particularly light. Surface water quality in the watershed is generally good, with pollutants coming mainly from agricultural and suburban runoff. The St. Croix River is also home to several species of fish, including the federally endangered Sturgeon. Interesting climatic facts include the historical occurrence of droughts and floods, as well as the increasing trend of temperature and precipitation variability in recent years.