2026 Lake Pepin MRLC River Tour Recap

Overview

On June 10, NCEL convened Minnesota and Wisconsin legislators for the annual Mississippi River Legislative Caucus (MRLC) River Tour at Lake Pepin, as part of the River Days of Action. During the tour, legislators learned about the issues impacting Lake Pepin and how Minnesota and Wisconsin state agencies are collaborating with federal, Tribal, and local partners on restoration projects. Legislators walked away with a clearer understanding of the positive impacts of these restoration efforts for local environments and communities as well as the benefits and challenges of engaging various stakeholders in this work.

Lake Pepin: Understanding the Issues

Situated between Minnesota and Wisconsin, Lake Pepin is the largest lake on the Mississippi River. It provides critical habitat for fish and flyways for birds, while supporting local economies through recreation and transportation. Erosion in the Minnesota River, exacerbated by unsustainable farming practices, high water flows, and climate change, is producing excess sedimentation in Lake Pepin. This sedimentation — alongside agricultural pollution, wetland loss, and reduced water storage — has increased flooding and erosion risks for local communities while threatening the sensitive habitats in the lake. To address these challenges, a series of projects aimed at restoring Lake Pepin is underway, made possible by collaboration between federal and state agencies as well as local Tribes and communities.

The Tour: Seeing Restoration Solutions in Action

Taking to the water aboard two pontoon boats, legislators toured Lake Pepin alongside experts from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and Prairie Island Indian Community. Guided by these partners, legislators learned about the sedimentation challenges impacting Lake Pepin and the restoration efforts underway to reduce sedimentation and improve habitat quality.

The tour included a project site visit at the head of Lake Pepin, where the Army Corps is partnering with the Minnesota DNR and Wisconsin DNR to (1) dredge deep pools and access channels and (2) use dredged materials to construct peninsula extensions. These efforts can support native vegetation, fish, wildlife, and recreational activities, while decreasing further sedimentation.

Firsthand Insights from the Tour

• “The Mississippi River knits the center of the U.S. together in an important commercial pathway. However, it is also home to a diverse array of wildlife and natural beauty. The efforts of the Army Corps of Engineers to preserve the shoreline near Lake Pepin are impressive and more than worth investing in.” – Minnesota State Representative Meg Luger-Nikolai

• “Getting legislators out on the water helped to connect the dots in a way that maps, reports, and meetings simply can’t. Seeing islands actively being built at the restoration project and even getting briefly stuck near Bay City provided a firsthand look at how sediment is reshaping Lake Pepin and why we need to both restore habitat and address sediment at its source.” – Michael Anderson, Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance

Looking Ahead

The tour ended with open discussions that allowed legislators to share their personal connections to Lake Pepin and the Mississippi River, highlight their policy priorities, and forge deeper connections with federal, state, Tribal, and nonprofit partners working to support Lake Pepin. 

To learn more about the work of NCEL’s Mississippi River Legislative Caucus (MRLC) and to explore the issues impacting the Mississippi River, visit the MRLC webpage.