Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

St. Croix National Scenic Riverway (SACN): Sonar Data Mapping to Assess Native Mussel Habitat

October 12, 2021

The National Park Service (NPS) partnered with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to collect hydroacoustic data of the Saint Croix River for the development of high-resolution bathymetry and sidescan imagery. The combined datasets will provide key components to characterizing benthic habitat. These information needs were highly desired by the NPS to more accurately assess environmental factors that influence native mussel distribution. The project was funded by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF), to help maintain and enhance Minnesota’s environment and natural resources.
These data are part of a larger benthic mapping project to help support management of native mussel habitats in Minnesota. The Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway (SACN) is one of six Minnesota's National Parks that has established high value habitat corridors for threatened and endangered native mussels, including the Winged Mapleleaf and Higgins Eye Pearlymussel.
The 30 sidescan images represent the lower 30 river miles of the Saint Croix River, starting at the river's confluence with the Mississippi River.

Publication Year 2021
Title St. Croix National Scenic Riverway (SACN): Sonar Data Mapping to Assess Native Mussel Habitat
DOI 10.5066/P9X9I5QJ
Authors Jenny L Hanson, Jayme M Strange, Stephanie R Sattler, Erin E Hoy
Product Type Data Release
Record Source USGS Digital Object Identifier Catalog
USGS Organization Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center