Head of Lake Pepin Dredging

Still in need of $3m but that’s obtainable.

What’s not obtainable is stopping the sediments at their source.

Link to KSTP/News

I don’t see a problem here. More grounded tuna boats the better!

-J.

Even if they extend or build more islands, isn’t it pretty much the same as kicking the turd down the road to get stepped on in the future? Similar to how our politicians “balance” a budget? Sediment has to be deposited no matter what, there’s no stopping it at it’s source, like you already said.

That being said, I took the duck boat around the mouth of the lake this weekend and the flats past the can line were 6″-2.5′ of water all the way past Friedrich.

404 ERROR wrote:

That being said, I took the duck boat around the mouth of the lake this weekend and the flats past the can line were 6″-2.5′ of water all the way past Friedrich.

…and we aren’t in what’s considered the “low water” period yet.

I went to the first meeting the Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance had on this 3ish years ago, we talked about up stream sedimentation. That would solve problems all the way down to the gulf, but how does one stop the sediments from the MN? Sure some farming practices can be changed but really, the banks are mud and that mud gets suspended until it finds a wide, slower moving area like Lake Pepin or the backwaters of P2 and P3.

Sediment will not stop in my lifetime. Like Asian Carp, we can slow it but not stop it.

The Corp feels that once dredged and islands added, the sediments will mostly keep going down stream. In full disclosure, it will also help the Corp dispose of dredge material by building these islands. They feel it will help the migratory waterfowl which by my observations really doesn’t need any help.

At this time, from what I’ve seen (which isn’t a lot I might add) my only concern is for the Catherines Cut area. At the last meeting it seems that they’ve abandoned the idea of closing Katrina off.

More to come I’m sure.

I will add that the folks in Bay City and across the river in Wacouta Bay should see improvement in main channel access… now what that does to the fish in the flats is up in the air.

Brian Klawitter wrote:

That would solve problems all the way down to the gulf, but how does one stop the sediments from the MN? Sure some farming practices can be changed but really, the banks are mud and that mud gets suspended until it finds a wide, slower moving area like Lake Pepin or the backwaters of P2 and P3.

Exactly. I frequently launch on the MN river side of the confluence at P2 and the shoreline will suck your boots right in when it’s low water & warm enough for the mud not to freeze. After they pull the dock at Ft Snelling I bring sheets of plywood down so I can walk between my beached boat and the ramp. (PS: whoever is stealing my plywood repeatedly, I’m running out of scraps, jerk! )

A decent read from the MPCA on MN river sediment and the long-term reduction goals they’ve set.

Thanks p2f!

pool2fool wrote:

After they pull the dock at Ft Snelling I bring sheets of plywood down so I can walk between my beached boat and the ramp. (PS: whoever is stealing my plywood repeatedly, I’m running out of scraps, jerk!

On the other side of the coin, Whoever is picking up these admittedly “scrap” pieces of plywood, probably thinks you are a jerk for littering. They may come to the ramp on a daily basis just to pick up trash as a form of public service. Most ramp areas could use a Good Samaritan like that.

Huntindave wrote:

On the other side of the coin, Whoever is picking up these admittedly “scrap” pieces of plywood, probably thinks you are a jerk for littering. They may come to the ramp on a daily basis just to pick up trash as a form of public service. Most ramp areas could use a Good Samaritan like that.

I asked the ranger’s permission to leave the sheets there. They’re arranged like a boardwalk from the ramp, over the mud to the beach, and I spray-painted “do not take” on them.

Care to take a wild guess as to who regularly picks up the trash left around this ramp?

The open public comment period will be posted soon.

One to the plans is to close off Katrina (Catherine Pass) and the other will leave it open.

When I say close off, I’m talking about a rock pile that will leave the cut without current or access from the river side.

This decision is clearly in the anglers hands. If you don’t comment during the public comment period, it will be closed off once the funding is raised.

I’ll be posting the plans here as soon as I can.
This would be a good time to make a post and click on the “Notify me of follow-up replies via email” button.

I find this interesting but have no opinion of what would be best for the river and the fish. My only concern with creating islands has been that it will create more places for power boats to park and party. I just hope it doesn’t turn into a mess if that takes place. I’ll be watching for the plans and thanks for keeping us posted on this BK.

In all reality, MN waterfowl hunters do not gain much from this being most of the area is either right on the state-line or in Wisconsin. Plus after hunting it the last few years, I have come to the conclusion that WI waterfowlers don’t use that area much at all. It will surely be interesting on their plan once it gets put together, maybe it will provide some better fishing opportunities near the mouth. I’m keeping a close eye on this project.

Ryan P wrote:

I find this interesting but have no opinion of what would be best for the river and the fish. My only concern with creating islands has been that it will create more places for power boats to park and party. I just hope it doesn’t turn into a mess if that takes place. I’ll be watching for the plans and thanks for keeping us posted on this BK.

I’m with you. If islands are made, I’d much rather they be made somewhere that makes it tough to get to or where people won’t congregate. It’s already bad enough to see how some of the shoreline is left near Lake City and down in the channel by Wabasha from some of the parties.

Please read the NOTEs PDF while viewing the maps. It helps.

REMEMBER, it’s up to you to decide how you want to see the head of the lake.

Link to Maps

Brian Klawitter wrote:

… now what that does to the fish in the flats is up in the air.

They like to hide in the holes

Next Public meeting April 4th @ 5 pm at the St James hotel in Red Wing.

More info to come…

Hope to see you there @riverruns

pool2fool wrote:

and I spray-painted “do not take” on them.

I can see it now. Some schmuck homeless guy living in a nice plywood hut with “do not take” sprayed on several of the pieces.