Kinnickinnic River Land Trust

Working with the community to conserve and protect the beauty and health of the Kinnickinnic River and its watershed.

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    • November 2022 Phenology Report – Kelly Creek Nature Preserve
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Recreation

River Safety

As you spend time enjoying the Kinni, please remember safety first. The Kinni has many remote areas that, while beautiful to visit, are not easily accessible by emergency personnel. Please consider the following notes as you enjoy your outing:

  • Study the recreation map to know available entry/exit points. The lower Kinni is a canyon with very few access points.
  • Check river levels by using the U.S. Geological Survey water gauge data found at: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv/
  • Plan sufficient time for your activities. Areas of the river can get dark earlier than expected. Be sure to plan enough time to enjoy your visit during daylight hours.
  • Share your plan for the day with family or friends.
  • Cell phone reception can be difficult in remote areas of the watershed.
  • If canoeing/kayaking, wear a personal flotation device (PFD).

Kinnickinnic River Land Trust Preserves

As part of KRLT’s conservation efforts within the Kinnickinnic River watershed, it owns and manages properties known as preserves. These areas help reduce erosion, clean and protect surface and groundwater, reduce flooding, protect wildlife habitat and rare plant communities, and provide scenic areas.

KRLT also uses the preserves for environmental education activities and for public recreational uses including hiking, fishing, hunting, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, trapping, and wildlife observation.

Each preserve has limits on the recreational activities that are allowed there, so please determine which uses are allowed on the preserve you wish to visit.

Locations:

  • Drewiske Preserve
  • Kelly Creek Preserve
  • Headwaters Preserve
  • The Community Forest 

KRLT – River Access on Private Land

As part of KRLT’s conservation efforts along the Kinnickinnic River, it has secured easements that provide the public use of a portion of the streambank on privately owned properties for fishing, hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and wildlife observation. It is extremely important for people using these areas to respect that they are on private property and understand the limitations of public use on each property, especially boundaries.

Locations:

  • See the recreation map

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Waterfowl Production Areas

WPAs provide habitat for a wide variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, grasslands birds, plants, insects, and wildlife. They also help reduce erosion, clean and protect groundwater, and reduce flooding. WPAs managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also provide ample opportunities for public access and wildlife-dependent recreation such as hiking, hunting, cross country skiing, wildlife observation, and photography.

Locations:

  • www.fws.gov/refuge/St_Croix_WMD/

City, County, and Regional Lands

Within the Kinnickinnic River Watershed, there are various properties owned and managed by town, village, city, and county agencies that allow public recreational opportunities. Most of these properties are parks. Some of the recreational opportunities on these properties include fishing, hiking, picnicking, cross country skiing, hunting, swimming, camping, and biking. Each property has limitations on the recreational activities that are allowed there, so please determine which activities are allowed on the property you wish to visit.

Locations:

  • See the recreation map

Kinnickinnic State Park

The state park was established in 1972. The park is located at the downstream end of the Kinnickinnic River and includes the delta where it flows into the St. Croix River. The delta at the mouth of the Kinnickinnic River constricts the St. Croix River to about one-quarter of its normal width. This constriction causes a substantial increase in the amount of current and keeps this area free from ice. Bald eagles fish in this open water during the winter. Large numbers of waterfowl and other migratory birds use the marshy bottomlands during their fall and spring migrations.

More information:

  • Park website

State Natural Areas (SNA)

State natural areas (SNAs) protect outstanding examples of Wisconsin’s native landscape of natural communities, significant geological formations, and archeological sites. They harbor natural features essentially unaltered by human-caused disturbances or that have recovered substantially from disturbance. Public use of SNAs is available for scientific research and compatible recreation. A permit issued by the DNR is required to conduct studies or collect specimens on SNAs. Natural areas are not appropriate for intensive recreation, but they can accommodate low-impact activities such as hiking, bird watching, and nature study.

More information:

  • http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Lands/naturalareas/

DNR Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)

Wildlife Management Areas, managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, provide opportunities and public spaces to hunt, fish, trap, hike, canoe, pick berries, or watch and photograph wildlife. All WMAs are managed to sustain wildlife and natural communities found on the properties and to provide a range of recreational uses. Dog training or trialing (hunting dog competitions) may be allowed by permit. Prohibited activities include: mountain biking, off-road vehicles, and target shooting.

Locations

  • See the recreation map

DNR Fishery Area (FA)

Areas along the Kinnickinnic River and its tributaries are within the DNR’s Kinnickinnic State Fishery Area. Fishery Areas protect, manage, and preserve the river and watershed through land and easement acquisitions. The areas enhance fishing and the production of trout, and provide other compatible recreational and educational activities including hunting, hiking, and cross-country skiing. Prohibited activities include: mountain biking, off-road vehicles, and target shooting.

Locations

  • See the recreation map

DNR – River Access on Private Land

As part of the Kinnickinnic Fishery Area, the DNR has acquired easements along the Kinnickinnic River and its tributaries that provide the public access to a portion of the streambank on privately-owned properties for uses including fishing, hiking, hunting, and cross country skiing. Each easement has specific allowed uses, so be sure to identify which uses are allowed on the easement you plan to visit. It is extremely important for people using these areas to respect that they are on private property and understand the boundaries and limitations of public use on each property.

Locations

  • See the recreation map

Protect the Kinni

2013©Robert W. Chambers

Your contribution helps us keep the Kinni cold, clean, and free ... forever!

Click Here To Donate!

Kinni River Recreation Map

2013©Robert W. Chambers

See Our  Preserves  »

What’s New

Land Trust Days

Fall Newsletter for 2022

Fall 2022 KinniKeeper Newsletter

Stories from the Water

Kinni Kurrents

Latest river conditions:

Click here to view the current Kinnickinnic River gage information!

Stream:

Clarity:

Gage/camera location is upstream of Highway F. Source: USGS National Water Information System

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We are excited to be part of this wonderful event We are excited to be part of this wonderful event celebrating the Kinnickinnic River a day the community of River Falls! You can purchase sponsorships and general admission tickets by visiting the link in our bio! Hope to see you there!

Become a sponsor for the 2023 R4F event! 
Sponsorships include access to the VIP lounge with food, beer/wine provided, signage, Tattersall gift bottle, and entry to the film fest. Sponsorships are limited, so don’t wait if interested. 
Each year, we hear from multiple attendees, “How do I sponsor the R4F event?”. For those of you still wondering, follow the directions below:
1. Click on the link below.
2. Signup at your desired sponsorship level ($200, $400, $600, and $1000). If you want to donate more, let us know, and we will certainly accommodate. 
3. Show up on March 3rd and claim your RSVP tickets/wristbands.
4. Have fun!
All proceeds from the 2023 R4F event go to the KRLT and the Rhino’s foundation.
Mark your calendars and get excited for R4F 2023 o Mark your calendars and get excited for R4F 2023 on March 3rd!! Stay tuned for event details, including ticket info and sponsorship opportunities!

@r4ffilmfest 2023 is right around the corner, which means the R4F - River Falls Fly Fishing Festival isn't far away! Lock down March 3rd for a fabulous night of fun and stay tuned for a HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT coming next week
Happy holidays from all of us at the Kinnickinnic Happy holidays from all of us at the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust! The protection of the beautiful Kinnickinnic River and its watershed is possible because of your support and passion.✨️ 

#conservation #kinni #landtrust #wisconsin #discoverwisconsin #riverfalls #river #forest #prairie #watershed #keepitwild #driftless #fish #fly #trout #community
Sound on!!! 📣 The birds at Kelly Creek Nature Sound on!!! 📣

The birds at Kelly Creek Nature Preserve were singing away even with the snowy weather! The dried seed heads from the prairie plants offer a great food source for the birds that are brave enough to stick around in the winter. 

Your support allows us to protect and maintain places like these in the Kinni River watershed. Please consider making a donation today! 

#conversation #landtrust #prairies #nativeplants #seeds #keepitwild #birds #winter #wisconsin #discoverwisconsin #riverfallswi #kinni #river #driftless #fish #hike #adventure #protect #getoutside #snow
Kelly Creek Nature Preserve was showing off this m Kelly Creek Nature Preserve was showing off this morning! ❄️

The natural springs on the preserve flow year-round and is an important tributary to the Kinnickinnic River. The water remains cool even in the heat of the summer. The restored prairie is a haven for migratory birds and birds that stick around in the cooler months. 

Thanks to support from people like you, Kelly Creek Nature Preserve and other ecologically important places along the Kinni, remain wild! Please consider a donation today to help KRLT continue the work of conservation on the Kinni!

#kinni #river #keepitwild #springs #winter #conservation #landtrust #driftless #hike #fish #bird #prairie #naturepreserve #wisconsin #riverbanks #riverfallswi #riverfalls #discoverwisconsin #protect #snow #trout #protect
Late fall is a beautiful time to get outside befor Late fall is a beautiful time to get outside before the cooler winter temps hit! A reminder that hunting and trapping are allowed at some of our nature preserves. Please visit our website at www.kinniriver.org, click Visit Our Preserves and click on the nature preserve you would like more details about. If you are visiting our nature preserves during the active hunting season, we recommend that you wear blaze orange for your safety. Deer gun hunting season in Wisconsin is Nov. 19-27th.
The Drewiske Family Preserve is a great spot to en The Drewiske Family Preserve is a great spot to enjoy the beauty of fall in the Lower Canyon of the Kinnickinnic River! 🍁🍂

Your donations make protecting places like these possible! Please consider making a bigger impact by becoming a monthly supporter. Even a monthly gift of $5 can make a huge difference! Click the link in our bio to support conservation on the Kinni today!

#kinni #conservation #watershed #riverfalls #river #discoverwisconsin #Wisconsin #landtrust #community #keepitwild #outdoorsforall #ariverrunsthroughit #driftless #protect #fall #autumn #forest
🍂 This beautiful image was sent to us by Ross a 🍂 This beautiful image was sent to us by Ross and Rachelle Wegge, enjoying the last paddle of the season in the Lower Canyon of the Kinni. 🍁

We love seeing and hearing about your experiences on the Kinni! Have a story you'd like to share? Send it to info@kinniriver.org
We are seeking an Executive Director to help advan We are seeking an Executive Director to help advance our mission to conserve the beauty and health of the Kinnickinnic River and its watershed.
Organizational Goals: 
• Prepare the Kinnickinnic River watershed to respond to climate change through prioritizing and protecting conservation areas.
•  Earn support from diverse audiences toward achieving organizational and financial sustainability.
• Work with partners within and outside of the local community to develop programs and opportunities that support inclusivity and public engagement on KRLT's public lands.
This position is based in River Falls, Wisconsin, and is responsible for overseeing staff, engaging with the Board of Directors, and connecting with community partners.
View the full job description and apply online click the link in our bio!
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