Watershed Protection

Watershed Protection
Proposed federal river initiative in the news from headwaters to the gulf
May 16, 2022

As the story of the Mississippi as one of "America's Most Endangered Rivers" spread, dozens of journalists shined a spotlight on a potential solution: a proposed federal program to fund Mississippi River restoration and resilience projects from the headwaters to the gulf. >>

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For the 2nd straight year, a major victory for the Clean Water Fund
May 21, 2024
Ongoing efforts to address Minnesota’s most pressing water quality challenges and opportunities. Read more
A couple of paddlers in a canoe on the Mississippi River, seen from high above. The shore is lined with golden and red trees.
Five things we learned from stream monitoring in 2023
January 16, 2024
Three teams of volunteers pulled hundreds of samples from streams in 2023, detailing insects and crustaceans present — a key to analyzing stream health over time. Here are five takeaways from our work. Read more
Person in waders samples a stream
EPA says state needs to clean up drinking water in SE Minnesota
November 15, 2023
In response to a petition we signed last spring, the federal agency is requiring Minnesota to address the public health crisis created by nitrate pollution. Read more
Drinking water glass
Video: How the 'big brown spot' pollutes the Mississippi River
October 16, 2023
When farm fields are bare, there’s nothing to stop soil, fertilizers and other farm chemicals from washing off into our rivers, lakes and streams. This "big brown spot" in the Midwest is by far the largest source of pollution to the Mississippi. Read more
Map of Midwest with brown over much of the area around the Mississippi River
Minnesota's drought contributes to drinking water crisis downriver
October 10, 2023
In this Q&A, Matt Rota at Healthy Gulf in Louisiana talks with FMR about the saltwater intrusion in the Mississippi River threatening New Orleans' drinking water supply — and already impacting communities farther south. Read more
Army Corps boats construct a sill to prevent saltwater intrusion
Is Minnesota doing enough to protect our drinking water?
by Trevor Russell
September 13, 2023
A recent headline in the Star Tribune said it all: 'Little action so far on plan to enlist farmers to clean up polluted groundwater in Minnesota.' How did we get here? And what do we do about it? Read more
Person holds a mason jar of clear water in a field of Kernza

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Upcoming Events

Partner event: Hastings' Party in the Park
Tuesday, July 30, 2024 - 5:30pm to 8:00pm
Rotary Pavilion at Levee Park, Hastings
Mississippi River Gorge paddle and cleanup [FULL]
Saturday, August 3, 2024 - 9:00am to 2:00pm
Mississippi River Gorge, Minneapolis
Partner event — Spirit of Water: A Celebration with Mississippi River [RESCHEDULED]
New date: Saturday, August 10, 2024 - 5:00pm to 8:00pm
Hidden Falls Regional Park, St. Paul

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