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. 

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.

On Wednesday, Aug. 6, the new Horseshoe Lake Wildlife Management Area was dedicated, a few miles north of Waterville. In addition to the many who played a part in its acquisition and enhancement, it attracted dozens of other interested parties.

For more than a century, the Hruska family called the rolling prairie, quiet woods, and winding wetlands near Waterville home. Now, the four Hruska sisters have turned that beloved land over to nature and the public.

Trust for Public Land, a national nonprofit, recently purchased a 152-acre property near Waterville, MN, to be transferred to public ownership and managed by the Minnesota DNR as the Horseshoe Lake Wildlife Management Area.

Have you ever wondered what is meant by public land? How does private land become public land, and why does it matter? Clean River Partners is actively engaged in acquiring private land and transforming it into public land.

We anticipate securing an agreement for $100,000 in grant funding from the Fishers and Farmers Partnership for an exciting project at the Little Cannon River Aquatic Management Area in Goodhue County, Minnesota. This funding is expected to come from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of the federal government. What will happen if this funding doesn’t come through?

Public lands are essential to our health, wildlife, and community connection. In our latest blog, we explore the incredible significance of public spaces, particularly in the Cannon River Watershed. Discover how these lands enhance outdoor experiences, support biodiversity, and contribute to our economy. Plus, learn actionable ways you can advocate for their preservation!

Clean River Partners and the Minnesota DNR are launching the Cannon River Fish Passage Initiative to modify the Gorman Lake and Lower Sakatah Lake dams into Rock Arch Rapids. This will enhance fish passage, improve habitats, and increase safety. Join the Open House on February 20, 2025.

Communities across the state are embracing solutions such as replacing or modifying low-head dams into Rock Arch Rapids. This nature-inspired fish passage design allows fish to swim freely, resembling the flowing stream riffles they thrive in.