Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
- Margaret Mead
- Margaret Mead
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The Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance is a multi-state non-profit organization established in 2009 by an ad hoc committee determined to preserve and restore Lake Pepin as an integral part of the Upper Mississippi River System.
Our Mission
We are dedicated to slowing and reversing the current trend of sediment and nutrient flow to Lake Pepin. We bring a professional approach for public involvement in present and future watershed restoration activities that elevate the importance of implementation of the recommendations and "best practices" that science and reason dictate. Leading with the tools of education and information we will protect the natural heritage of Lake Pepin.
Why We Must Take Action
It is difficult for most of us to visualize the scale of the annual average load of about 1 million metric tons of TSS that burdens the south metro Mississippi river through Lake Pepin. The following may help:
A 40 acre field with dimensions of .25 mile by .25 mile would be loaded with sediment to a height of 28 feet to contain the long-term average annual sediment load of 968,246 MT (metric ton) from all major tributaries to the south metro Mississippi. The Minnesota River contributes 76% of the total, or 21 feet of the sediment. [Over the 20 year period of record for TSS monitoring, this would cover a 23,000 acre watershed, such as 7 Mile Creek north of Mankato, with one foot of sediment.]
To contain the same annual volume of sediment, a downtown Minneapolis city block (330 x 330 feet) would be filled to a height of 454 feet, enough to completely cover the city’s original skyscraper, the 32-story Foshay Tower. The Minnesota River alone accounts for 345 feet. In the past 20 years, 20 such city blocks would have been filled to this height with sediment.
This is based on measured TSS loads and measured sediment densities from Lake Pepin deposits (.7 grams/cubic cm).
Goals
I. To promote a multi-faceted approach to reducing the sediment and
nutrients from upstream tributaries, with emphasis on the Minnesota
River.
Currently, the annual average load is about 1 million mt/year-equivalent to a cubic city
block of sediment. A first objective is to reduce this loading by 50% to achieve
transparency goals supportive of submersed aquatic vegetation targets. This will also
reduce the rate of lake in-filling by one-half, as measured by centimeters (upper and
whole lake) or tonnes (a metric ton or (1000 kg.)
II. To restore and preserve conditions in Upper Pool 4 and the head of Lake
Pepin
III. To ensure the institutional arrangements for protecting the lake into the
future.
Strategies for Action
Increase public awareness of water quality goals and best land management practices in order to influence the Lake Pepin TMDL to include performance standards for drainage management and design, plus farmland best management practices.
Encourage state and county governments to implement existing Minnesota rules and county ordinances requiring stream buffers in agricultural areas.
Coordinate an evaluation with counties and cities bordering Lake Pepin as to their compliance with state rules and statutes. Show we are doing our part locally to meet TMDL requirements.
Encourage agencies to implement projects previously identified by the public and agencies to restore aquatic vegetation, depth, protect shorelines, reduce wing fetch and wave action and manage sediments within the floodplain.
Develop partnerships, possibly University of Minnesota and University of Wisconsin to conduct an economic analysis for Lake Pepin showing what the value of clean water for
recreation, tourism, and co-system services.
Send out monthly informative newsletters to the public.
Coordinate an initiative with government and citizens groups to develop a Lake Pepin
Management Plan.
Our Mission
We are dedicated to slowing and reversing the current trend of sediment and nutrient flow to Lake Pepin. We bring a professional approach for public involvement in present and future watershed restoration activities that elevate the importance of implementation of the recommendations and "best practices" that science and reason dictate. Leading with the tools of education and information we will protect the natural heritage of Lake Pepin.
Why We Must Take Action
It is difficult for most of us to visualize the scale of the annual average load of about 1 million metric tons of TSS that burdens the south metro Mississippi river through Lake Pepin. The following may help:
A 40 acre field with dimensions of .25 mile by .25 mile would be loaded with sediment to a height of 28 feet to contain the long-term average annual sediment load of 968,246 MT (metric ton) from all major tributaries to the south metro Mississippi. The Minnesota River contributes 76% of the total, or 21 feet of the sediment. [Over the 20 year period of record for TSS monitoring, this would cover a 23,000 acre watershed, such as 7 Mile Creek north of Mankato, with one foot of sediment.]
To contain the same annual volume of sediment, a downtown Minneapolis city block (330 x 330 feet) would be filled to a height of 454 feet, enough to completely cover the city’s original skyscraper, the 32-story Foshay Tower. The Minnesota River alone accounts for 345 feet. In the past 20 years, 20 such city blocks would have been filled to this height with sediment.
This is based on measured TSS loads and measured sediment densities from Lake Pepin deposits (.7 grams/cubic cm).
Goals
I. To promote a multi-faceted approach to reducing the sediment and
nutrients from upstream tributaries, with emphasis on the Minnesota
River.
Currently, the annual average load is about 1 million mt/year-equivalent to a cubic city
block of sediment. A first objective is to reduce this loading by 50% to achieve
transparency goals supportive of submersed aquatic vegetation targets. This will also
reduce the rate of lake in-filling by one-half, as measured by centimeters (upper and
whole lake) or tonnes (a metric ton or (1000 kg.)
II. To restore and preserve conditions in Upper Pool 4 and the head of Lake
Pepin
III. To ensure the institutional arrangements for protecting the lake into the
future.
Strategies for Action
Increase public awareness of water quality goals and best land management practices in order to influence the Lake Pepin TMDL to include performance standards for drainage management and design, plus farmland best management practices.
Encourage state and county governments to implement existing Minnesota rules and county ordinances requiring stream buffers in agricultural areas.
Coordinate an evaluation with counties and cities bordering Lake Pepin as to their compliance with state rules and statutes. Show we are doing our part locally to meet TMDL requirements.
Encourage agencies to implement projects previously identified by the public and agencies to restore aquatic vegetation, depth, protect shorelines, reduce wing fetch and wave action and manage sediments within the floodplain.
Develop partnerships, possibly University of Minnesota and University of Wisconsin to conduct an economic analysis for Lake Pepin showing what the value of clean water for
recreation, tourism, and co-system services.
Send out monthly informative newsletters to the public.
Coordinate an initiative with government and citizens groups to develop a Lake Pepin
Management Plan.
If you would like to be on our e-mailing list for updates about the work of the Alliance and upcoming events in the area, send us your email address: preserveandrestore@lakepepinlegacyalliance.org
or click here to download the June Newsletter.
or click here to download the June Newsletter.
The MPCA and Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance’s goal sounds deceptively simple: Make the water from Fort Snelling to Lake Pepin clear enough to grow aquatic vegetation that benefits fish and wildlife.
The actual task will be complex, of course, but history has shown that if the great citizens living along the Great River road join the battle, we can save our river.
- Editorial, Republican Eagle
CALENDAR
The approval of the site-specific standard for Total Suspended Solids in the Mississippi River is a key first step toward creating and implementing a plan to improve the river’s ecology and effectively double the expected lifespan of Lake Pepin.
For more information click here.
For more information click here.
View updated map of the South Metro Mississippi River.