Trade River
Encyclopedia
The Trade River is a tributary
of the St. Croix River
, about 50 miles long, in Northwestern Wisconsin
in the United States
. In its history, it has been known by the names Atanwa, or Ottoway River ; both of which are Anglicized versions of an Ojibwe language
word meaning “trade” (see Ottawa
). Beneath the mouth of the Trade River, the St. Croix River
was once known as the Grave-marker River.
The Trade River begins in the Straight Lake Tunnel Channel Woods
in northern Polk County, Wisconsin , and flows northward before bending westward to meet the South Fork a few miles south of Frederic, Wisconsin
. The South Fork of the Trade River begins in wetlands north of Luck, Wisconsin
and flows northward, roughly parallel to State Highway 35, until it meets the main branch. The Trade River then winds its way westward through farmland and a series of lakes in northern Polk and southern Burnett counties. West of State Highway 87, it is joined by the North Fork Trade River, which flows south-southwest from Isaac Lake via Canute Creek Flowage. Shortly thereafter, the river enters Governor Knowles State Forest
and flows through pine barrens in Sterling Township
before joining the St. Croix River.
Tributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
of the St. Croix River
St. Croix River (Wisconsin-Minnesota)
The St. Croix River is a tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately long, in the U.S. states of Wisconsin and Minnesota. The lower of the river form the border between Wisconsin and Minnesota. The river is a National Scenic Riverway under the protection of the National Park Service. A...
, about 50 miles long, in Northwestern Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. In its history, it has been known by the names Atanwa, or Ottoway River ; both of which are Anglicized versions of an Ojibwe language
Ojibwe language
Ojibwe , also called Anishinaabemowin, is an indigenous language of the Algonquian language family. Ojibwe is characterized by a series of dialects that have local names and frequently local writing systems...
word meaning “trade” (see Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
). Beneath the mouth of the Trade River, the St. Croix River
St. Croix River (Wisconsin-Minnesota)
The St. Croix River is a tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately long, in the U.S. states of Wisconsin and Minnesota. The lower of the river form the border between Wisconsin and Minnesota. The river is a National Scenic Riverway under the protection of the National Park Service. A...
was once known as the Grave-marker River.
The Trade River begins in the Straight Lake Tunnel Channel Woods
Straight Lake State Park
Straight Lake State Park is a Wisconsin state park north of the village of Luck, Wisconsin. Straight Lake State Park was established in 2002, making it Wisconsin's newest state park. The park is traversed by the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, which runs along the northern shore of Straight Lake...
in northern Polk County, Wisconsin , and flows northward before bending westward to meet the South Fork a few miles south of Frederic, Wisconsin
Frederic, Wisconsin
Frederic is a village in Polk County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,262 at the 2000 census.-Notable people:* Nathan Heffernan, member of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, was born in Frederic....
. The South Fork of the Trade River begins in wetlands north of Luck, Wisconsin
Luck, Wisconsin
Luck is a village in Polk County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,210 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Luck is located at ....
and flows northward, roughly parallel to State Highway 35, until it meets the main branch. The Trade River then winds its way westward through farmland and a series of lakes in northern Polk and southern Burnett counties. West of State Highway 87, it is joined by the North Fork Trade River, which flows south-southwest from Isaac Lake via Canute Creek Flowage. Shortly thereafter, the river enters Governor Knowles State Forest
Governor Knowles State Forest
Governor Knowles State Forest is a 19,753 acre unit of the Wisconsin state park system that stretches for along the St. Croix River. It is managed as a wilderness buffer for the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway. On the east the state forest is bordered by county forests and two state...
and flows through pine barrens in Sterling Township
Sterling, Polk County, Wisconsin
Sterling is a town in Polk County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 724 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated communities of Cushing and Wolf Creek are located partially in the town.-Geography:...
before joining the St. Croix River.