Sauk River (Minnesota)

The river continues southeast past Melrose and Richmond, then northeast through Cedar Island Lake and Zumwalde Lake, past Cold Spring and Waite Park, and discharges in to the Mississippi River 2 miles (3 km) north of St.

In 1847, the Mississippi Chippewa ceded their lands about the Sauk River to the United States for the purpose of establishing a homeland for the Winnebagoes, who at the time were being removed out of Wisconsin.

However, due to continued skirmishes between the Ojibwe (Chippewa) and the Dakota, the Winnebagoes were placed in constant danger.

By their request, the United States relocated the Winnebagoes to south-central Minnesota, then to South Dakota and finally Nebraska.

Early interventions by the white man marked the ensuing decline of Indian populations in this area.

The development of the Red River Valley and points in between Minneapolis – St. Paul and Winnipeg provided the first push for settlement in the area.

As increased settlement took place, fur trading took a backseat to agriculture and the logging industry that were becoming more important for the region.

Logging of the hardwood forests soon became a vital interest, and the Sauk River provided a corridor for the passage of wood from western and central Stearns County to the rapidly developing St Cloud area.

As the river continues, a variety of granite outcrops and small hills provide a scenic landscape along the shores.

A variety of plant life is found along the Sauk River, ranging from naturally restored prairie grasslands to thick hardwood forests.

One of the most interesting sights along the Sauk is an elevated tamarack bog on the north bank of the river near Rockville, providing beautiful golden scenery in the fall.

Abundant waterfowl are found in and around two state managed wildlife areas south of Sauk Centre.

Gray fox, red squirrels, and chipmunks are common in the wooded sections, along with an occasional woodchuck, muskrat, or beaver.