Road salt is present everywhere during the winter months. In large quantities, it poses a threat to fish, wildlife, and human health. So, what’s the solution?

Clean River Partners offers many ways to engage with the waterways that surround us. But sometimes, a person just needs to be near water. To watch it move, and to listen quietly to its voice.

Clean River Partners is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. That’s three and a half decades of protecting and improving soil and water quality in the Cannon River Watershed.

Fall is quickly approaching, leaves are turning the beautiful colors we love to drive around and look at, and the age-old debate arises about whether or not we should clean up the leaves in our yard. You’ve heard it, I’ve heard it — we’ve all probably participated in the conversation — so we want to dive into this conundrum to determine if or when it’s better to leave the leaves. 

Trash that finds its way to a river affects so much more than just the water. It impacts entire ecosystems, as both humans and wildlife depend on it for survival. Having a clean watershed is essential for our community to thrive. Clean River Partners emphasizes this in the work they do, and every year they host the Cannon River Watershed Cleanup. There are many different sites with cleanups to target the entirety of the river.

Mayflies. We heard about them a lot this summer. Images and videos of them under streetlights, blanketing cars, and clouding sidewalks went viral on social media. They often get a bad reputation and are called a nuisance “river bug,” but the presence of mayflies along the Cannon and Straight Rivers actually indicates improved water quality. 

In a world where convenience often outweighs sustainability, it’s time to reevaluate some of our daily choices. One seemingly small but actually significant decision is whether to invest in a reusable water bottle.

Clean River Partners (CRP) is grateful to announce ongoing support from the Red Wing Shoe Foundation for hosting community events and conservation initiatives in the City of Red Wing and Goodhue County.

In our increasingly urbanized world, managing stormwater runoff has become crucial for maintaining the health of our environment and communities. One of the most effective tools in this endeavor is the stormwater retention pond. But what exactly is a stormwater retention pond, and why is it so important?

Foraging may initially seem unconventional, especially when focusing on invasive plants. However, these plants cause profound environmental damage to our native ecosystems, and removing them can directly counteract stormwater issues.

Congratulations to Addison Blumhoefer (Grades 2-3) and Elise Detert (Grades 4-5) for winning first place in the 2025 Northfield Stormwater Pollution Solutions Poster Contest!

Clean River Partners, in partnership with Carleton College, the City of Northfield, Northfield Rotary Climate Action Team, and the Northfield chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby, is hosting an event about Mitigation, Adaptations, and Resiliency: The Northfield Riverfront and Climate.