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The Canadian Heritage Rivers System is a nationwide river conservation movement that recognizes the important cultural, natural and historical roles rivers had, and continue to have, in shaping the country and the lives of Canadians.​
The St. Croix River was designated as a Canadian Heritage River by the Canadian Heritage Rivers System in 1991. Designated for its outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational heritage values, the St. Croix International Waterway Commission works to maintain and upkeep the designation for the river as its river manager. The designation corridor extends the entire length of the boundary watershed, from the rivers source at Monument Brook, through the Chiputneticook chain of lakes, to the St. Croix River proper, and finally the estuary ending at the historic town of Saint Andrews, New Brunswick.​
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Canadian Heritage River
What makes the St. Croix so special? ​
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Every local will tell you a slightly different story about why this river system means so much. Whether it is a fisherman on the Chiputneticook Lakes, a paddler yelling with delight on their way through Little Falls, or an excited family exploring the National Historic Sites of St. Croix Island; each part of the designation corridor has its own beauty, history and community. the Passamaquoddy peoples, Acadian settlers, British Loyalists, logs floating to sawmills and shipyards, canoeists, fishermen – The St. Croix's waters have carried them all past unbroken forest, murmuring rapids, and shimmering lakes to the craggy shores of the estuary.