Introduction
Even though the landscape of High Island Creek Watershed is primarily dominated by agriculture, there are numerous recreation opportunities whether it is hunting, paddling, camping or fishing. Visitors will still find natural areas resembling what the landscape once looked like, specifically as the creek flows into the steep and forested Minnesota River Valley.

While in the area check out:
* Joseph R. Brown Minnesota River Center, this interpretive center highlights the life of the pioneer Joseph R. Brown and the Minnesota River. It is located at 600 Main Street in Henderson on State Highway 19.

* Ney Nature Center, located on the blufflands overlooking the MN River Valley this educational and environmental center features a rental facility, events and hiking trails.

County Parks
A number of recreational areas are found in the watershed including High Island Sportsmen's Park in New Auburn and the High Island County Park situated on the edge of the high bluffs in eastern Sibley County.

High Island Sportsmen's Park is located on the western shoreline of the lake in New Auburn and features a picnic shelter, playground equipment, rip-rap shore for fishing and a boat ramp with courtesy dock.

High Island County Park can be found south of County Highway 12 at the end of 341st Lane. The park is situated along the high bluffs overlooking the steep ravines of the Minnesota River Valley. Facilities include camp sites, picnic shelters, water hydrant and access to High Island Creek on a fairly challenging steep path.

Paddling
A favorite whitewater river of the Mankato Paddling and Outing Club, High Island Creek offers a lot of challenges both natural and man-made. This river is not for beginners and even moderate paddlers may want to error on the caution side when the creek is running at flood stage.

High Island Creek was featured in the book Paddling Southern Minnesota - 85 Great Trips By Canoe and Kayak - by Lynne and Robert Diebel.

Wildlife Management Areas
The Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Program was established in 1951 as an attempt to preserve wildlife habitat areas, primarily wetlands, that were being destroyed by development and agricultural land uses.

There are 11 WMAs of just over 1,000 acres total in High Island Creek Watershed. Management of these areas call for water control where feasible, planting of food plots, grass and woody cover planting for habitat, nesting and weed control.

Lakes
Shallow lakes once dominated this prairie landscape and have become a focus among some residents looking to improve their water quality for more recreational opportunities. High Island Lake has seen a lot of attention in recent years as numerous local citizen groups work with federal, state and local government agencies to restore and protect this highly visible water body. Other major lakes in the watershed include Bakers, Round Grove and Silver.

The lakes found within the watershed are typical shallow southern Minnesota eutrophic lakes with frequent winter fish kills. Shallow lakes have permanent or semi-permanent water regimes and usually dominated by wetland habitat (less than 15 feet deep). The more than 5000 Minnesota shallow lakes of over 50 acres in size remain a critical habitat component for wildlife and waterfowl. They differ from deep lakes due to a greater sensitivity to environmental and human factors.

Rush River
Located south of High Island Creek, this river has three branches and flows in a mostly eastern direction into the Minnesota River a few miles south of Henderson. The Rush River is another favorite of the Mankato Paddling and Outing Club, who usually take out at the Rush River Park.

Two stretches of the Rush River are featured in the book Paddling Southern Minnesota - 85 Great Trips By Canoe And Kayak by Lynee and Robert Diebel.

For more information about the High Island Creek Clean Water Partnership ,
Joel Wurscher, Project Coordinator:
111 8th Street; Gaylord, Minnesota 55334
E-mail joelw@co.sibley.mn.us
Phone 507-237-4050
Fax 507-237-4099