Foster Spring
This is a natural high volume spring. After leaving it’s initial pool the waters cascade down a rocky outcropping where it joins the Rocky Branch.
The spring was an important source of drinking water for early settlers. The spring and wooded land along the creek were part of pioneer settler Joel Foster’s land and later the farm of his son A.P. Foster. It is now it’s owned by the City of River Falls.
In the 1850s Joel’s wife Charlotte Foster planted watercress in the water running down the rocks. It can still be found growing there in abundance.
The area is natural and you’ll have to do a little “off path” hiking to get to the spring.
I’ve always approached it from the top and walked down the hillside to it. Currently there is a gravel spot you can pull in on off highway 35 on the north end of the wooded area.
