Clam River (Wisconsin)

The Clam River is a 63.4-mile-long (102.0 km)^[1] tributary of the St. Croix River in northwestern Wisconsin in the United States. In its history, it has been known by the names Kayeskikan, Kiesca-seba, and "Shell River".^[2]

The North Fork of the Clam River begins as a small, intermittent stream in western Washburn County. It flows through wetlands west of Shell Lake, and rapidly enlarges in size as it is fed by a number of trout streams including Krantz Creek, the South Fork of the Clam River, Sand Creek, Spencer Creek, Indian Creek, Clam River Springs and Bass Lake Springs.^[3] The river widens noticeably after taking on Spencer Creek (Spencer Lake Springs). There are three operating dams on the river: one on the South Fork in the town of Clam Falls, another at Clam Dam County Park near Webster, and another immediately before the river joins the St. Croix. Beneath its confluence with the Clam, the St. Croix is regarded as one of Wisconsin's "big rivers".^[4]

History

Evidence of human habitation in the vicinity of the Clam River dates back nearly 1,500 years. Several sites associated with Woodland Period culture can be found near the river, including burial mounds, sacred sites, and village sites (most of which are on private property). The burial mounds at Spencer and Clam Lakes have been dated to the end of the Middle Woodland Period, ca 500-700 AD.^[5]

Numerous other points of historical interest exist on or nearby the Clam River, including the old Arbuckle House and Logging Dam. This house served as a stopping place for travelers along the old Stillwater to La Pointe Mail Road. Several logging dams are also known to have existed along the river, demonstrating the river’s significance as a channel of commerce during the logging era.

Recreation

The Clam River and some of its tributaries are listed as Class I trout streams, a category reserved by the Wisconsin DNR for "[h]igh quality trout waters that have sufficient natural reproduction to sustain populations of wild trout, at or near carry capacity."^[6] Most of the best trout fishing can be found on public land within 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km) of the headwaters. Several warmer water species can also be found in the river and the lakes and flowages it traverses. Typically, the river is navigable by canoe or kayak for most of its course, though parts of the river are prone to snags. The number of snags in the river increased greatly on July 1, 2011, when a windstorm yielding hurricane-force gusts caused extensive damage in the vicinity of the river.^[7] This storm knocked down thousands of acres of forest, and a significant number of trees fell directly into the river.

Cities and towns

• Indian Creek, Wisconsin
• Clam Falls, Wisconsin

See also

• List of rivers of Wisconsin
• Mound builder (people)
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Wisconsin

References