St. Croix Watershed

Research Station

We decode how watersheds respond to a changing climate.

St. Croix Watershed Research Station

Now accepting applications for the Artist at Pine Needles 2026 program. Apply now.

16910 152nd St. N.
Marine on St. Croix MN 55047
(651) 433-5953
[email protected]

Water Research

Station scientists conduct water and climate research with both the scientific expertise and advanced equipment necessary. Their research provides essential data to improve water quality and reduce pollution of lakes and rivers. They study how land use, climate change, atmospheric deposition, and other factors affect watersheds, thus contributing to scientific understanding of aquatic systems.

MORE ABOUT OUR SERVICES AND EXPERTISE

Friends of the Station

The Friends of the St. Croix Watershed Research Station, established in 1996, links you to cutting-edge environmental science. Members receive exclusive research updates, access to limnologist presentations, and invitations to special events at the Research Station and Science Museum.

Join this lively cohort of supporters that care about protecting the wilderness and habitats along the St. Croix River.

SUPPORT US

Artists at Pine Needles

Every year, the Station invites artists working at the intersection of science to take residency at the station and develop their careers. Artists represent a variety of disciplines and mediums, including photography, writing, poetry, painting, drawing, and more.

Currently on view in the museum is a selection of 29 artworks from Pine Needles creators, curated by their scientist peers.

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Facilities

Harmon Research Center | Completed in 1994, the 6,200-square-foot facility houses five state-of-the-art laboratories, including the analytical lab, a sediment-dating lab, gamma spectrometry radioisotope tracer lab, wet lab, and microscopy lab.

Housing | The 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom log cabin comes complete with a kitchen, fireplace, screened porch, air conditioning, and an unbeatable location on the banks of the St. Croix. Available for researcher use.

Laboratories and Equipment | The research station is home to a range of advanced equipment, watercraft, laboratories, and facilities, and serves as an office for the Technical Assistance Program for Watersheds (TAPwaters) for watershed modeling and spatial analysis.

J. W. G. Dunn Research Library | The library’s shelves include John Warner Grigg Dunn’s personal collection, historical items, scientific journals, watershed reports, and audio visual materials, with maps of the St. Croix River dating back to 1912.

Vehicles | Thanks to our generous friends at Polaris, our Research Station staff can traverse and care for our scientific campus in their state-of-the-art Ranger.

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