Walk the site of a fish passage restoration project and see firsthand how removing barriers is transforming the river ecosystem.
Join Clean River Partners and Minnesota Master Naturalists for a guided walking tour of the fish passage project at Gorman Lake Park. CRP's Conservation Program Manager, Sophia Maruska, will walk through the goals of the dam and culvert modifications, explain how these changes will affect the river ecosystem over time, and highlight the wildlife management areas CRP has helped establish and restore along the Sakatah Trail.
Expect walking on trail and possibly uneven terrain near the dam site, with time for Q&A throughout.
More About the Cannon River Fish Passage Project
Fish passage is a simple idea. Fish need to move up and down a river to survive. Many species travel upstream to lay eggs in specific habitats with the right water depth, temperature, and gravel. When a dam blocks that path, fish cannot reach those spawning areas. Over time, populations shrink, diversity declines, and the river ecosystem weakens.
On the Cannon River, the Lower Sakatah Lake Dam and the Gorman Lake Dam have prevented native fish from reaching historic spawning grounds for generations. The impact does not stop with fish. Several native mussel species depend on fish to carry their young upstream. Mussels are natural water filters, improving water clarity and quality. When fish movement stops, mussels cannot repopulate upstream areas either. One barrier affects the entire food web.
Our fish passage project is about restoring that movement.
Working in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the engineering firm Bolton & Menk, and local governments and watershed partners, we are reimagining how these aging dams operate. Instead of tall concrete barriers that fish cannot cross, the new designs use carefully placed rock and boulder rapids. These rapids maintain upstream water levels while creating a gradual, natural pathway that fish can swim through.
This approach reconnects miles of river habitat. It gives native species the chance to return to stretches of river they have not reached in decades. It strengthens spawning success. It supports mussel recovery. And it helps restore the natural rhythm of the watershed.
Who This Is For
This event is open to the public and to community members interested in local watershed conservation.
Best if you’re able to walk moderate distances on uneven/natural terrain.
Children must be accompanied by adults.
What to Bring / Wear
Sturdy, closed-toe walking shoes
Weather-appropriate clothing (layers, rain gear if needed)
Water bottle
Sunscreen
Bug spray
Camera/binoculars
What We Provide
Guided tour led by CRP's Conservation Program Manager
Educational information on the fish passage project and wildlife management areas
Accessibility
No bathrooms
Taking place outdoors
Cost & Registration
This event is free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged. We’ll reach out to you via email with event logistics.
Questions? Contact
Sophia Maruska, Conservation Program Manager
(507) 200-0247
We’re so grateful for our event supporters! (listed below)
The Cannon River Fish Passage Project is fully funded by the DNR through the Get Out MORE initiative.