St. Francis River (Minnesota) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Francis River |
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The St. Francis River in the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge in 2007
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| Country | United States |
| State | Minnesota |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Alberta Township, Benton County 1,247 ft (380 m) 45°48′29″N 93°53′31″W / 45.80806°N 93.89194°W |
| River mouth | Elk River Big Lake Township, Sherburne County 912 ft (278 m) 45°21′33″N 93°44′14″W / 45.35917°N 93.73722°W |
| Length | 79 mi (127 km) |
The Saint Francis River is a river in Minnesota, United States. It is about 79 miles (127 km) long. This river flows into the Elk River, which then flows into the mighty Mississippi River. This means the St. Francis River is part of the huge area of land that drains water into the Mississippi.
The river starts in Alberta Township in Benton County. It flows south through eastern Benton County, passing near the town of Foley. Along the way, it collects water from a smaller stream called the West Branch St. Francis River. The river then turns east in Sherburne County. It flows through the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge and Sand Dunes State Forest. Finally, it joins the Elk River in Big Lake Township, about one mile (2 km) north of the city of Big Lake. If the water levels are high enough, you can even go canoeing on some parts of the river!
Contents
River History and Protection
People have lived in the St. Francis River valley for over 10,000 years. Ancient Native American villages have been found in the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, some dating back to 1300 A.D. Later, in the 1870s, settlers moved to the area under the Homestead Act. This law allowed people to claim land if they lived on it and farmed it.
Wildlife in the Past
Long ago, the St. Francis River area was famous for its amazing wildlife. Many ducks, muskrats, beavers, and mink lived there. They thrived because of the small lakes and marshes near the river. These wetlands were full of wild rice and other plants that animals love.
The land around the river was mostly oak savanna. This is a type of grassland with scattered oak trees. It was home to large animals like elk, bison, and gray wolves.
Changes to the Environment
By the mid-1900s, the wildlife habitat in the river basin had changed a lot. Here's what happened:
- Drained Wetlands: In the 1920s, ditches were built to drain the wetlands. This was done to create more land for farming.
- Invading Fish: In the early 1940s, a type of fish called carp got into the lakes and streams. Carp stir up the bottom of the water when they feed. This uprooted important underwater plants that aquatic wildlife needed.
- Lost Habitats: The native oak savanna was cut down and plowed for farms or to build homes. Also, without natural fires, the oak savanna turned into thick forests, which changed the habitat for many animals.
Protecting the River Today
To help bring back the natural wildlife habitat, the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge was created in 1965. Land for the refuge was bought using special funds from "duck stamps." These stamps are bought by hunters and conservationists to support wildlife protection.
This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Government document "Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge: History".
