In a year defined by lows, Lake Pepin water level is no exception. This year’s drop in water level is somewhat dramatic because it comes on the heels of last year’s record high water, which together, illuminates the sedimentation problem in Lake Pepin. High water pushes sediment to the lake and low water uncovers it, along with a slew of transportation issues. The Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance (LPLA) responded to recent boat groundings by visiting affected areas and discussing channel maintenance with the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE).
Read MoreThe Path to Habitat Restoration in Lake Pepin & the Upper Mississippi River
For decades, many people have yearned to see Lake Pepin benefit from restoration via the dynamic Upper Mississippi River Restoration program. But the dream has been thwarted largely because the area is not federally owned. So, unlike projects on federal lands, the Lake Pepin restoration requires a substantial local funding contribution, a non-federal sponsor to manage the area after construction, and the complex coordination of numerous project stakeholders—all formidable challenges. LPLA has instrumentally paved the way for restoration to proceed through its hard work to remove or mitigate obstacles. Its leadership and accomplishments showcase the irrefutable value in having a local voice for the river.
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