Fall Colors along the Mississippi

The Autumn Mississippi from Matty Lang on Vimeo.

St. Anthony Falls Lab Assists New York Company in Testing Turbines

An October 20 Star Tribune article outlines how scientists at the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory are helping a New York company test its submerged turbines that generate power from river and tidal flows. 

According to the article, Verdant Power is led by scientists focused on capturing the energy of flowing water without building dams.

Here's the link to the article and video.

Download a Copy of the 2013 Riverfront Vitality Project.

The Riverfront Vitality Project is the first comprehensive look at the Mississippi Riverfront in the City of Minneapolis.

This Project seeks to identify and understand the existing data that captures the Riverfront’s current status and, as time passes, will establish the trend lines showing how much progress toward a revitalized Riverfront has being achieved in response to public and private investment.

Download a copy of the 2013 Riverfront Vitality Project...

Lock Closure Within Reach in Fight Against Asian Carp

From Star Tribune:

This was no ordinary dead fish found perched atop a concrete dam abutment on the Mississippi River near Winona last month.

The 30-inch carcass was that of a voracious Asian carp, an invasive species threatening Minnesota’s waterways. More alarmingly, it was a type of Asian carp known for its spectacular leaping ability. This piscine athleticism may help the silver carp hurdle barriers on its journey up the river — the carcass on the dam abutment underscores this — but it also creates a serious hazard to boaters, who may be injured when motor-startled fish jump out of the water.

Read the full editorial...

Canoeing the Mississippi River from Lake Itasca to Louisiana

Mill District neighbors, Lee and Colette Goderstad, brought to our attention the story of two young adults from Minnesota, Linnea and Dave, who spent this summer canoeing the Mississippi River from Lake Itasca to Louisiana, arriving in mid-August.  The expedition is documented on their Traveling Riverside Blog and on Facebook.

Lee and Colette got a few pictures of Linnea and Dave as they passed thru Minneapolis.  Below, the couple waits for a barge to pass before they enter the lock and dam. (Look in the lower left corner - they are up against the rail.)

Linnea and Dave exiting the lock and dam:

Planning the next leg of their journey from the U of M rowing team ramp:

Thank you to Lee and Colette for sharing this Mississippi River adventure with us! :)

Mississippi Messages September 2013

Calendar of Events

Woodland Wildflower Rescue Part II: The Planting!

Saturday, September 21 — 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Hastings Scientific and Natural Area, Hastings

This spring, Vermillion Stewards volunteers dug up hundreds of ferns, heaptica and other native plants that would have otherwise been destroyed by road construction. After being tended for the summer construction season, we now need volunteers to help us replant the woodland natives in the Hastings Scientific and Natural Area. Capacity is limited and registration required. Learn more on the event page, or sign up now with Lindsay at lhefferan@fmr.org or 651-222-2193 x24.

Click to read more ...

Minneapolis RiverCurrent 9-5-13

*****Events and Activities*****

Mill City Farmers Market – Preserving the Harvest Day

Saturday, September 7, 8 am – 1 pm

Chicago Avenue between Second Street South and West River Parkway

Come to the Market today and relish in the season's bounty! Stock up on the freshest produce around, and spend some time in the coming weeks with friends and loved ones canning, pickling and preserving. You'll thank yourself this winter. At this week’s 10 am Cooking Demo, join Market Chef Heather Hartman and special guest Charlie Wagner. The duo will be making Grilled and Smashed Potato Salad

Click to read more ...

Minneapolis RiverCurrent 8-29-13

*****Events and Activities*****

Mill City Farmers Market – Healthy Lunches Day

Saturday, August 31, 8 am – 1 pm

Chicago Avenue between Second Street South and West River Parkway

It's Labor Day Weekend, marking the official end of summer in Minnesota and the beginning of another school year! No need to get down about it

Click to read more ...

Furthest upstream a silver carp has been discovered in the Mississippi River

Not Good News MT @FriendsofPool2 "furthest upstream a silver carp has been discovered in the Mississippi River" http://t.co/jlTp7lki9S

— River Life (@RiverLifeUMN) August 23, 2013

Minneapolis RiverCurrent 8-22-13

Mill City Farmers Market – Live Cultures Day

Saturday, August 24, 8 am – 1 pm

Chicago Avenue between Second Street South and West River Parkway

This Saturday the market will celebrate the health benefits of live cultures.

Click to read more ...