Once upon a time, the Mississippi River flowed wild and free, with waterfalls and braided channels. The river was home to an amazing assortment of fish, freshwater mussels, otters, birds, turtles, and deer. Sometimes the water ran deep and fast, but in sections of the Upper Mississippi south of Lake Pepin, the water was sometimes shallow enough that people could walk across from one bank to the other in the late summer and early fall.
A little less upon a time, the Mississippi River was a dumping ground for human sewage, garbage, and carcasses from the local slaughterhouses. When biologists conducted a survey of the metro Mississippi in Minneapolis - St. Paul in 1926, they found only two living fish in 50 miles of water.
Today, the Mississippi tops American Rivers’ list of Most Endangered Rivers. Though pristine at its headwaters in northern Minnesota, the river is so polluted by the time it reaches the Gulf of Mexico that it creates an anoxic “dead zone” the size of New Jersey. Here the water is filled with bluegreen algae and virtually devoid of shrimp, fish and other sea life. Sadly, despite decades of work, there has been almost no improvement in river and stream nitrogen pollution since 1990 (U.S. EPA 2023).
And yet, as we look toward the future, there are reasons to remain optimistic.
One exciting change has been a push to remove dams and re-wild streams along the Mississippi and its tributaries. Currently, the Army Corps of Engineers is conducting a dispositional study that could lead to removal of the Lower St. Anthony Falls and Ford Dams in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Already, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has removed more than 50 dams statewide over the past thirty years. Meanwhile, a redevelopment project in St. Paul at the site of the former Ford Plant has created new connections with the Mississippi and Hidden Falls near Crosby Farm Regional Park. There are also ongoing projects to re-wild portions of Phalen Creek and Trout Brook in St. Paul.
Another cause for celebration has been the return of fish and wildlife in the metro Mississippi as a result of improved wastewater treatment and regulations for industrial discharges and municipal stormwater management. Today, the river supports an award-winning bass fishery, numerous pairs of nesting bald eagles, a wide diversity of fish, and even freshwater mussels, in locations where they’ve been re-introduced.
This week, June 2, marked the first ever National Mississippi River Day, which is an event organized by One Mississippi (www.mississippiriver.org) to bring awareness and commitment to protecting the future of the Mississippi River. Along with this comes “Mississippi River Days of Action” from June 1 – 15, which features events from Minnesota to Louisiana.
If you’d like to explore the Mississippi River in Washington County, there is a small canoe/kayak launch in Cottage Grove at the bridge to Grey Cloud Island (Hazen P. Mooers Park, 10865 Grey Cloud Trail S. Reserve a kayak at www.cottagegrovemn.gov/260/Kayak-Rental). From here, you can explore Mooers Lake or the Grey Cloud Channel, both of which have shallow water and lots of waterfowl.
If you’d prefer to stay on dry land, you can take a casual stroll along paved paths at Mississippi Dunes Reserve (10351 Grey Cloud Trail S) or explore remnant prairie at Grey Cloud Dunes Scientific and Natural Area (113th St S, Cottage Grove). The SNA does not have maintained trails, but does have beautiful views of the river valley down below.
Lastly, here are four water-friendly opportunities to celebrate and protect the Mississippi River this month:
• Friday, June 6, 5-8pm: Friends of Pool 2 annual meeting at The Mississippi Pub (4455 66th St E, Inver Grove Heights). Meet fellow river lovers and learn about issues affecting Pool 2 (Ford Dam to Hastings).
• Saturday, June 7 (9am-1pm): Landscape Revival in Lake Elmo (5825 Kelvin Ave N). Ready to transform your yard into a natural oasis that helps to protect water and wildlife? This event is a great place to get started. You can shop for native plants grown by local nurseries and talk with experts from conservation organizations. There’s even a food truck!
• Thurday, June 12 (4pm): Hasenbank Park grand opening celebration (10552 Water Lily Lane, Woodbury). Join South Washington Watershed District in celebrating the brand new Hasenbank Park. This unique stormwater park filters and cleans water flowing from Fish Lake into Powers Lake and also includes trails, public art, and restored oak woodlands (with a little help from goats!).
• Sunday, June 15: Minnesota Paddling Opener on the Mississippi River between Brainerd and Champlin. There is a 5-mile “Root Beer Float” as well as 12, 20 and 43 mile canoe and kayak races. If you are extremely hard core, there is also a 145-mile option that begins on June 13.
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Angie Hong coordinates the East Metro Water Education Program, a local government partnership with 30 members in Chisago, Isanti and Washington Counties - www.mnwcd.org/emwrep. Contact her at 651-796-2210 or angie.hong@mnwcd.org. You can also follow her @mnnature_awesomeness on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook or YouTube.