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

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.