Water

FMR is proud to be a leading voice in protecting the water of our Big River and all the people and wildlife who depend on it.

From the banks of the Mississippi to the halls of the Legislature, our Water program strives to keep you up to date on important water-quality issues. (For political animals, here are all FMR posts related to legislative advocacy.)

Blog updates are also shared on social (Facebook and Twitter) and in FMR's Mississippi Messages newsletter.

Join us! Sign up to be a River Guardian to receive email action alerts when we need your help the most, plus invitations to educational happy hours and other events.

POSTS

Is it safe to swim in the Mississippi River in the Twin Cities?
As an organization focused on the river’s health, we get asked this all the time. Read more
Bare feet standing on the sand along the shores of the Mississippi River in the Twin Cities.
Sackett case: How the Supreme Court ruling impacts the Mississippi River
On May 25, the U.S. Supreme Court announced a decision that drastically narrows the scope of the Clean Water Act and represents one of the most far-reaching rollbacks to this decades-old law since its passage in 1972.  Read more
Wetland reflecting sky
How FMR's priorities for the Mississippi River fared this session
FMR made progress on every single one of its priorities this legislative session. Here's a roundup of everything that happened. Read more
A collage showing parts of five different photos, all from this legislative session: Two FMR staffers posing with fish postcards in the Capitol; an FMR staffer testifying at a May 1 hearing; A state senator posing with children following a hearing; legislators on a tour at the Forever Green Initiative facilities; printed papers with the FMR logo, shown with the Capitol building in the background.
In a first, Legislature includes all Clean Water Fund recommendations in budget
The council's recommendations include funding for one of FMR's top legislative priorities. Read more
Minnesota lake surrounded by trees
12 other wins for the Mississippi River from this legislative session
While FMR wasn't leading on these efforts, we were quite happy to see them come out of the Capitol this session. Read more
High river waters in the foreground, flooding a wooded shoreline.
A win for the great outdoors: Voters will get to rededicate lottery funds to the environment
Lottery funds for the Great Outdoors will be back on the ballot — though without some sought-after new revenue. Read more
Loon plus text: "#MNLEG Final Update"
Diverse new work group sets stage for cleaner transportation in MN
A Clean Transportation Standard would be a big victory for the climate and a real boon for the Mississippi River. Read more
An electric car with its charging port open and a charging cord inserted.
Invasive carp barrier: A strong starting point, but Minnesota needs more — and soon
Invasive carp are on the doorstep of Lake Pepin, the St. Croix River watershed, the Minnesota River watershed and other waterways. Legislature funding gets us moving in the right direction on protection. Read more
FMR staff testifies at Legislature on invasive carp + text: "#MNLEG Final Update"
Lawmakers approve $1M to shed light on St. Anthony Falls’ hidden hazard, the cutoff wall
We'll soon know a lot more about one of the state's most crucial, but overlooked, pieces of infrastructure: the hidden cutoff wall underneath St. Anthony Falls. Read more
St. Anthony Falls during spring high waters
A win for clean-water crops and a sustainable agricultural economy
Clean-water crops saw more support than ever at the Capitol this session. Read more
A bright, golden-yellow flower in the foreground, with the shapes of people evident in the background. They are standing in a field.

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Upcoming Events

Tuesday, July 30, 2024 - 5:30pm to 8:00pm
Rotary Pavilion at Levee Park, Hastings
Saturday, August 3, 2024 - 9:00am to 2:00pm
Mississippi River Gorge, Minneapolis
New date: Saturday, August 10, 2024 at 5 p.m.
Hidden Falls Regional Park, St. Paul