Name:

Waterford Iron Bridge / Old Canada Avenue Bridge

Location:

This bridge spans the Cannon River about two and a half miles northeast of Northfield. It’s directly adjacent to Canada Avenue, just off Northfield Boulevard/County Road 47. Here it is on Google Maps.

Preferred type of shooting:

Primarily landscapes, but I’ve also done some portraits and macro work here before. I’ve seen lots of wildlife, including several bald eagles, but I have yet to get any good pictures of them here.

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What makes it special:

The bridge itself is the clear highlight of this location. Built in 1909, it’s a gorgeous remnant of times past. According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the bridge was built at a significant tipping point in bridge construction, making it stand out among existing bridges today. While the significance of many of the details is lost on non-civil engineer me, its visual appeal is indisputable. The slender beams forming the truss lend the bridge a delicate air, perfect for both wide shots and closer detail work. They form gorgeous patterns and leading lines, equally suited for foreground prominence and background interest. The silver paint allows it to take on the colors of the sky and surrounding landscape in a manner which feels almost alive. Combine its features, and it truly fits in with the landscape, rather than imposing upon it like its much larger concrete neighbor.

However, the bridge isn’t the only draw to the area. The Cannon River itself presents all sorts of aesthetic opportunities, reflecting the surroundings, forming delicate ice patterns, and steaming subtly as the seasons change. The mature trees lining the banks of the river provide excellent backgrounds, with their lush greenery in the spring and summer, vibrant colors in the fall, and stark forms in the winter.

Even the modern, utilitarian bridge just to the west improves the site. While I occasionally wish I could keep it out of the background of my shots, it serves as the perfect vantage point for commanding views of the Iron Bridge. The ability to shoot from above the river is simply invaluable for the flexibility it provides.

Together, all of these features come together to form a location which never fails to impress. I’ve spent many an evening moving my tripod around the river banks and soaking in the beauty of the scene as I collect my images.

Location Profile