The purpose of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway is to preserve, protect, and enhance the values of the St. Croix and Namekagon Rivers and their immediate environment for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. The values for which the Riverway has been designated as a wild and scenic river are its free-flowing character, exceptional water quality, and the aquatic, riparian, recreational, cultural/historic, geologic, scenic, and aesthetic values present in the rivers.