The Bridges And Structures
Of The St. Croix River

This is my eighth installment detailing the bridges and structures of a great American river. In this survey, we visit the bridges, locks, and dams on the St. Croix River. This river forms the border between the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin for 125 miles. It starts in an area of springs and bogs near the small town of Solon Springs, Wisconsin. The St. Croix flows south, passing near the Twin Cities, and merges into the Mississippi River at Prescott, Wisconsin. The river was historically important to both the Indians and early trappers as a transportation route. The river again became important to the national economy in the late 1800s during the harvest of the virgin white pine. That came to an abrupt end in 1912 when the timber ran out. Since that time, the St. Croix has become an important tourist attraction. The federal Wild and Scenic River Act was passed just to project the St. Croix River. Today, the St. Croix is a major recreation area that is closely protected by both the states and local residents.

           

Status—at this time, the photos and pages for the lower river is complete, while the upper river is a work in progress.