Kinnickinnic River Land Trust

Working with the community to conserve and protect the beauty and health of the Kinnickinnic River and its watershed.

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News

January 27, 2016 by KRLT

Special KRLT Member Party!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This meeting is for
current KRLT members.

To become a member or renew your membership, click here.

To RSVP for the meeting, click here
(you must RSVP by November 30).

For proposed KRLT bylaws, click here.

For Approved Resolution, click here.

For FAQ about the bylaw revisions,
click here.

Remember, current KRLT members only. We hope to see you there!  

 

 

Kinnickinnic River on American Rivers 2018 Most Endangered Rivers Listing

 

To read the article, please click on the image.

The timing and phasing of dam removal in the City of River Falls is the most publicized of the many challenges we face in conserving and protecting the Kinnickinnic River for future generations. Climatic change, urbanization pressure and increasing groundwater use within our watershed all factor in to the future health of the Kinni. It is important to remember that we have many people and organizations with tremendous passion, energy and expertise involved in managing these challenges. Getting national exposure like this American Rivers 2018 Most Endangered Rivers listing will hopefully bring additional funding and resources to us to help meet those challenges.

– KRLT Executive Director Dave Drewiske

 

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Regular City Council Meeting

City Council relicensing decision; click here to read the Resolution.

 

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Regular City Council Meeting

City Council receives the Feasibility Report and recommendation from the Kinni Corridor Committee.

 

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Kinni Corridor Committee Meeting

The Kinni Corridor Committee finalizes the Feasibility Report and recommendation to the City Council.

 

Kinni Corridor Project Committee Recommendation

Photo courtesy of Friends of the Kinni
Photo courtesy of
Friends of the Kinni

On January 25, the Kinni Corridor Project Committee finalized its recommendation to the River Falls City Council on relicensing the City’s hydro project. The resolution, presented to the City Council on Feb. 13, calls for relicensing the Junction Dam for the final time and the removal of the Powell dam. The City will make a final decision on relicensing on February 27.

While the recommendation to relicense is disappointing, the fact that such a diverse group can agreed with the eventual removal of both dams is encouraging. On behalf of the KRLT, our representative Dave Fodroczi signed the resolution to signify our commitment to working with the City and others in developing a means to achieve dam removal. We remain resolute in our efforts towards river protection and restoration to a free-flowing, cold and clean Kinni.

Monday, January 15, 2018

Public Hearing – City of River Falls – Utility Advisory Board

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Location: City Hall, 222 N Lewis St, River Falls, WI 54022

The City of River Falls Utility Advisory Board (UAB) will be hosting a Public Hearing regarding the decision of whether to relicense the  dams or surrender the license. This is the first step in the City’s 3-step group decision-making process. It is critical that they understand the public’s desire for the license to be surrendered. 

The night of the public hearing, the UAB is expected to vote on the following licensing options:

1) Relicense the hydroelectric facility (keep both dams),

2) Surrender the license (remove both dams), or

3) Relicense the hydroelectric facility but decommission the lower generator (to keep the Upper dam and remove the lower dam).

Please note that the UAB is only addressing “a relicensing scenario” – they are not making a specific recommendation about the future of the dams. The UAB will send their resolution and recommendation to the Kinnickinnic River Corridor Planning Committee. The Kinni Corridor Committee will then include this resolution and recommendation in their deliberations as they draft their recommendation to the City Council, which is expected to be finalized and delivered to the City Council in mid-February for a vote on February 27th.

Please come to this public hearing, step up to the microphone for a second, tell them who you are and that you want them to surrender the license for the hydros! This is your last chance to share your opinion in a formal public setting – don’t miss this opportunity!

Click here to read KRLT Executive Director Dave Drewiske’s Letter to the Editor about the Kinni and the dams.

 

Background

The City of River Falls filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) last July to extend the current hydroelectric license for five years to allow time to conduct a Kinnickinnic River corridor planning process. The City’s request was denied by FERC on December 9, 2015.  This rejection upholds an August 31, 2016 deadline by which the City must decide whether to relicense or decommission the facilities. On January 8, 2016, the City filed a request for rehearing.  The detailed documents and all project information can be reviewed on the City’s website at Hydroelectric Relicensing.

The KRLT continues to participate as a stakeholder in the process. We were one of many groups and individuals to submit a  letter of support  for the City’s license extension request. Following the recent FERC denial of the City’s request, the KRLT submitted a  letter to the Mayor and City Council   expressing concern about the time constraints imposed by the current deadline and encouraging the Council to initiate an alternatives analysis.

On December 3, 2014, the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust (KRLT) Board unanimously passed a resolution supporting a process leading to the removal of the River Falls Dams. On January 2, 2015, the KRLT distributed a news release on our resolution. To view the release, which includes the resolution, please click on the following link: KRLT Hydroelectric Dams Documents.

“The Dam Decision”, a documentary created by UWRF student Sydney Howell, premiered December 7, 2015 at The Falls Theatre of River Falls to a standing room only crowd.  This short film presents both sides of the current community conversation concerning dam relicensing or river restoration on the Kinnickinnic River.  You can watch the 11 minute film on You Tube at The Dam Decision.

Filed Under: News

Kinnickinnic Watershed Public Recreation Map Released

April 1, 2015 by KRLT

Kinnickinnic River Public Recreation Map
Click to download PDF

Kinnickinnic River Land Trust (KRLT) is pleased to announce the publication of the Kinnickinnic Watershed Public Recreation Map. This two-sided map brochure is a high quality map of the Kinnickinnic watershed with all publicly accessible recreation sites identified with a legend to distinguish the type and owner characteristics. Insets of the three KRLT preserves are included. The map also includes matrix tables of different categories of recreation properties identifying the types of activities that are available.

The Kinnickinnic Watershed Public Recreation Map design and development were done in partnership with the University of Wisconson – River Falls through Geography Professor Charlie Rader. Many thanks to Charlie for his gifted contributions.

The River Falls Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau was also a project partner. The Wisconsin DNR made an advance purchase of the map. In addition to the KRLT and Chamber offices, maps are available from the following sponsors who supported the printing of the map:

  • Bob Mitchell’s Fly Shop
  • Gray Goat Fly Fishing
  • Kinni Creek Lodge and Outfitters
  • Lund’s Fly Shop
  • Rush River Brewing Company
  • St. Croix Valley Adventures
  • Trout Unlimited-Kiap Tu Wish
  • West Wind Supper Club

Filed Under: Press Releases

Remembering Lyle Johnson

April 1, 2015 by KRLT

November 9, 1932 – March 7, 2015

lyle-johnson-kinnickinnic

The Kinni River and the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust (KRLT) lost a dear friend and steward with the passing of Lyle P. Johnson. To see Lyle’s obituary please click on the following link: Obituary.

Lyle’s legacy lives on in the stewardship and partnership he and his wife, Roberta, cultivated with the KRLT to conserve and protect the land. Please watch the short video of Roberta and Lyle discussing their decision to conserve their farm:

Filed Under: Blog

Kelly Creek Work Day this Saturday

March 25, 2015 by KRLT

Kelly Creek - SpringWE NEED YOUR HELP!

Dan Wilcox, manager of our Kelly Creek Preserve, has requested a call for volunteers to work at the Kelly Creek Preserve on Saturday, March 28.  His request said in part:

“We will clear fallen trees from along the perimeter of the prairie so that a fire break can be mowed.  Volunteers should wear heavy boots, long sleeves and gloves for stacking brush.  Volunteers with their own chain saw, fuel, oil and safety gear are welcome.  We will meet at the Kelly Creek Preserve parking area at 9:00 a.m. and will work until 12:00 or 1:00.”

This is very important work that must be completed to help us prepare the site for a much needed burn this spring.  Your help will be greatly appreciated.  Please email both me at (dalejorgensonkrlt@gmail.com) and Kim at Kim@kinniriver.org if you can come so we can let Dan know how big his crew will be.  Even working a couple of hours will be very helpful to us.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Filed Under: Blog

Winter on the Kinni

February 12, 2015 by KRLT

KINNI.JPG

Filed Under: Blog

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Protect the Kinni

2013©Robert W. Chambers

Your contribution helps us keep the Kinni cold, clean, and free ... forever!

Click Here To Donate!

Kinni River Recreation Map

2013©Robert W. Chambers

See Our  Preserves  »

What’s New

Annual Meeting 2023

THOUGH IT CAN’T LAST – A Dialogue between a poet and a photographer.

Land Trust Days

Kinni Kurrents

Latest river conditions:

Click here to view the current Kinnickinnic River gage information!

Stream:

Clarity:

Gage/camera location is upstream of Highway F. Source: USGS National Water Information System

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Get to know staff member, Steve Leonard! Steve i Get to know staff member, Steve Leonard! 

Steve is the Executive Director at Kinnickinnic River Land Trust. Steve has many responsibilities within the Trust and stated, "I listen to people who already have a sense of connection with the Kinni River; it helps me understand their personal passions of why they love the river so much, their concerns of keeping it clean, and what the future might look like. For others who might not have a personal connection to the river, I hope to develop a sense of place, so they too can develop a passion to help us protect the Kinni River, for many generations to come". 

 #wisconsin #phenology #earth #riverfalls #nature #conservation #prairie #landtrust #mothernature #green
Take a walk through the Community Forest 🌲 The Take a walk through the Community Forest 🌲 The Community Forest is a wonderful place to take a walk as the forest is alive with beautiful plants and animals this time of year!
It's Phenology Friday! 🐝 You may have noticed It's Phenology Friday! 🐝

You may have noticed that a buzz has filled the air as our pollinator friends are active again after a long, cold winter. Bee's rely on flowers for nectar and pollen, and these tiny insects pollinate a majority of the crops we, as humans, rely on for food. Native prairie on KRLT preserves host a variety of wildflowers, making the preserves a wonderful haven for the bees, and a great spot for us to catch them in action!

 #bee #wisconsin #riverfalls #conservation #flowers #earth #nature #prairie #landtrust #phenology
Join us tomorrow from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm for Get O Join us tomorrow from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm for Get Outside and Leave No Trace hike at The Community Forest and neighboring City of River Falls trails! 

There are two locations where you can chat with KRLT, @kinnicorridorcollaborative , and the @leavenotraceorg team about ways to leave no trace when enjoying the great outdoors! 1st location is at The Community Forest parking lot off of HWY FF the 2nd location is Trailhead #11 off of River Ridge Road (see map). 

This is a self-guided hike. There will be a light cleanup and nature scavenger hunt for the kiddos! Gloves and garbage bags will be provided. Hope to see you there!
Get to know KRLT staff member, Marty Engel! Marty Get to know KRLT staff member, Marty Engel!

Marty is the Land Stewardship Manager at Kinnickinnic River Land Trust. Marty works with landowners to protect conservation values on their property and helps to facilitate fish, wildlife, and habitat improvement on conservation easements. 

KRLT appreciates all the hard work that Marty does to protect the Kinni!
Let's talk about Kelly Creek! Kelly Creek was pu Let's talk about Kelly Creek! 

Kelly Creek was purchased by the KRLT in 1998 and consists of 70 acres of restored prairie and oak savanna. The Kelly Creek Preserve is a great place to visit to enjoy activities such as hiking, fishing, foraging, and observing wildlife. Make sure to check out the preserve this month as wildflowers begin to bloom! 🌸

 #kinniriver #riverfalls #earth #nature #flowers #discoverwisconsin #wisconsin #conservation #mothernature #green
It's Phenology Friday! 🌸 The May Phenology Rep It's Phenology Friday! 🌸

The May Phenology Report is out now on the KRLT Website. Read through this month's phenology report to discover what ecological changes are occurring during this time of year. Click the link in the bio to check it out!

 #phenology #greenspaces #nature #grow #kinniriver #earth #landtrust #riverfalls #prairie #flowers
Due to the weather, this morning's highway cleanup Due to the weather, this morning's highway cleanup has been canceled. Here's a little sunshine from last summer at Kelly Creek Preserve!
Get to know KRLT staff member, Molly Barritt! Mo Get to know KRLT staff member, Molly Barritt! 

Molly is the Donor and Community Relations Manager at Kinnickinnic River Land Trust. Molly is passionate about conservation and educating our youth on the importance of spending time in nature. 

Pictured is the first trout that Molly caught next to the Community Forest!
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