Navigation Channel Conditions Status Report August 6, 2026 - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District

Between Presbyterian Point and Friedrich Point, approximately River Mile 784 to 785, the navigation channel is substantially narrower than its recommended width. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has repeatedly advised commercial vessels to use extreme caution while traveling through this reach of the river.

One of the most deceptive conditions in this area is the dramatic change in depth between the maintained navigation channel and the surrounding lake bottom. Water depths can drop quickly outside the channel, even near the navigation buoys. Recreational boaters may encounter shallow water when moving toward the edge of the channel to pass another vessel or make room for commercial traffic.

Sediment continually enters Lake Pepin and accumulates near the head of the lake. Periodic dredging helps maintain a navigable route through this area, but it does not eliminate the underlying sediment problem. Conditions can also vary with river flows, water levels, and the location of recent sediment deposits.

In past years, including during the unusually low water levels of 2021, recreational boats frequently grounded when operators moved too close to the channel edge. The Corps removed approximately 26,000 cubic yards of material from this reach in September 2021, improving conditions within the maintained channel.

LPLA continues to advocate for safer navigation conditions and long-term solutions for managing sediment and beneficially using dredged material.