River History

Rivers: Important then, important now.
Since the earliest of times, when cargoes were carried by canoe, the Mississippi, the Minnesota and the St. Croix rivers have been vital lifelines to the Midwest.

Today, the cargoes are larger, the carriers more elaborate, but the lifeline remains just as important. Up- and down- river tonnage is valued in billions of dollars and the rivers provide cost competitive shipping for farmers, utilities and others who need and benefit from bulk cargo capacity. In fact, because they are competitive, commercial navigation rates have, over the years, benefited everyone in the upper Midwewst through lower utility, food and energy costs.