Sauk River (Minnesota) facts for kids
The Sauk River is a river in central Minnesota, United States. It flows for about 122 miles (196 km) and eventually joins the mighty Mississippi River. This river helps drain water from many small lakes in Stearns County.
In the Ojibwe language, the river is known as Ozaagi-ziibi. This name means "River of the Sauks". The Sauk River starts at Lake Osakis and flows through several other lakes. It passes towns like Sauk Centre, Melrose, and Cold Spring. Finally, it meets the Mississippi River near St. Cloud.
Near St. Cloud, the river usually carries about 342 cubic feet of water per second. The fast-moving water, or rapids, near where the Sauk River joins the Mississippi, gave the nearby city its name: Sauk Rapids.
Contents
History of the Sauk River
Early Inhabitants and Land Changes
In 1847, the Mississippi Chippewa people gave up their lands around the Sauk River. The United States government wanted to create a home for the Winnebagoes here. The Winnebagoes were being moved from Wisconsin at that time.
However, there were often small fights between the Ojibwe (Chippewa) and the Dakota tribes. This put the Winnebagoes in constant danger. Because of this, the United States moved the Winnebagoes again. They were moved to other parts of Minnesota, then to South Dakota, and finally to Nebraska. Some Winnebagoes eventually returned to Wisconsin.
How the Sauk River Got Its Name
The river is named after the Sauk tribe, also known as the Sac or Meskwaki people. Some members of this tribe came to this area after the Black Hawk War. At that time, the area was mostly settled by the Sioux or Chippewa tribes. Today, many Sauk people live in Iowa, Kansas, and Oklahoma.
French fur traders often sided with the Chippewa, which led to wars between the Sioux and Chippewa. To try and stop these conflicts, a common hunting ground was set up. This "neutral" area was bordered by the Crow River to the south and the Sauk River to the north. As more European settlers arrived, the number of Native American people in this area began to decrease.
European Settlers and Trade
The first Europeans to arrive were fur traders in the late 1700s. They worked for companies like the Hudson's Bay Company and French trading groups. They were interested in the many beaver and other animal furs found here.
As the Red River Valley began to develop, more people started to settle along the Sauk River. By the late 1850s, many small towns appeared. Trails used by traders, known as the Red River Trails, crossed the river at several points. You can still see signs of these old crossing spots today. For example, a stone marks Waite's Crossing near St. Cloud.
Industry and Agriculture
As more settlers arrived, farming and logging became more important than fur trading. The logging industry grew, using the Sauk River to move wood. Logs from western and central Stearns County floated down the river to the growing St. Cloud area.
The granite industry also grew. There were many granite rocks along the river and in other parts of the county. These were used to build things. St. Cloud is even called the "Granite City" because of this industry.
The river also helped with farming by powering mills. These mills processed crops. While many small mills closed when railroads arrived, a large mill still operates where the Sauk River meets the Mississippi.
River Features
The Sauk River flows into the Mississippi River at the north end of St. Cloud. You can often see many waterfowl (birds that live near water) in wildlife areas along this section. As the river continues, its banks get wider and its valleys get deeper.
Midway along its path, near Richmond, the river forms a "Chain of Lakes." Here, you can find over 80 miles (129 km) of shoreline within a river length of less than 8 miles (13 km). Further along, granite rocks and small hills create beautiful scenery. Near St. Cloud, the river flows faster, creating rapids before it joins the Mississippi.
Plant Life Along the Sauk River
The Sauk River is home to many different kinds of plants. You can find restored prairie grasslands and thick hardwood forests. Where the river begins, there are flat swampy areas with plants common to Minnesota wetlands.
Further along, you'll see prairie grasses and flowers on the banks. Near Spring Hill County Park, there is a preserved prairie field. Common trees include oaks, elms, silver maples, and willows. One interesting sight is an elevated tamarack bog near Rockville. In the fall, its trees turn a beautiful golden color.
Animal Life Along the Sauk River
Mammals and Birds
Many waterfowl live in and around two state wildlife areas south of Sauk Centre. The marshy swamps along the river are perfect homes for these birds. If you visit early in the morning, you might see deer feeding in the wooded areas.
Other common animals in the woods include gray foxes, red squirrels, and chipmunks. You might also spot a woodchuck, muskrat, or beaver. Sometimes, less common animals like otters and minks are seen.
The Sauk Valley is a great place for bird watching. The forests and grasslands are home to most birds found in central Minnesota. You can see cardinals, woodpeckers, and many songbirds. Game birds like grouse, pheasant, and partridge are also found here. If you canoe the river, you might see birds of prey like hawks, owls, and even a bald eagle. Great blue herons are also common along most of the river.
Fish in the Sauk River
The Sauk River is generally shallow and its water quality is not always the best. Because of this, there are not many game fish in most parts of the river. You will mostly find fish like redhorse and sucker.
However, fishing is very popular in the "Chain of Lakes" area. Here, you can catch many different kinds of fish. Panfish, walleye, and northern pike are common catches for anglers in this area. Walleye and northern pike can also be found where the river enters the Mississippi. In 2005, the world record Greater redhorse was caught in the Sauk River!
River Expeditions
In June 2011, Todd Foster and Scott Miller paddled the entire length of the Sauk River. They made this trip to record the fences along the river. They also wanted to promote the Friends of the Sauk River canoe library. Their goal was to encourage people to get outside and paddle the river. You can read about their trip at http://paddlethesauk.weebly.com.
