To the Tidings Newsletter Index Page The Official Newsletter of the Mississippi Headwaters Board

Volume 12, Number 6

June 25, 1996

Dam Operations Meetings Set In July and August The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has agreed to initiate a study of benefits of operations of the Mississippi Headwaters dams beginning October 1997. Public meetings gathering comment about operation of these reservoirs are scheduled at eight locations in the region between July 2 and August 14. Dams at the outlets of those lakes control water levels to serve both human and natural interests...such as keeping water low for wild rice harvesting, high for fish spawning or low to reduce erosion and protect docks, while assuring a base flow of water to the Twin Cities. These uses frequently conflict. Human uses tend to be favored over needs of the aquatic ecosystem, some say. It may be desirable to tweak current operations so that the regulated flow mimics the natural flow of water in the headwaters area, with highest flows in spring and summer and lowest flows in winter. Natural flows are best for river conservation, Ian Chisholm, a DNR natural resources manager told a meeting sponsored by the Mississippi Headwaters Board in January. "Rivers are connectors," he said "connecting upstream to downstream; the shoreline to the water; ground water to the surface; and moving water from one place to another. Changing one part of the river system changes the system. We have the rivers we collectively deserve," Chisholm said. Northern pike and muskie spawn in shallow areas where last year's emergent vegetation has died back. DNR fisheries biologist Dennis Schupp said that dam operations can leave spawning fish high and dry; river flows must take natural cycles into account. Paul Radomski, another DNR fisheries biologist described a process where ecological and social values were considered in changing operations of dams on the Rainy Lake reservoir system. Reservoir operations are run by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, according to policies set by the U.S. Congress. Currently, that policy favors navigation, fulfillment of tribal treaty rights and the public good, according to Jim Ruyak, the Corps' operational project manager for the Mississippi Headwaters. The Corps is willing to review current operations and consider maximizing benefits to the greatest extent possible. The public is asked to comment on control of the levels of Winnibigoshish, Leech, Pokegama, Sandy, Cross and Gull regarding: Benefits they perceive of operating the reservoirs; Problems they associate with reservoirs levels, and Suggestions for changes in reservoir operations. At each meeting, operations of the reservoirs will be summarized by the Corps' Ruyak, while representatives of natural resource management agencies and local businesses have been asked to comment on the effects of dam operations in their communities. All comments will be reported to the Corps in a report from the MHB and will be used to frame the study of reservoir operations commencing in Federal fiscal year 1997. Meeting Schedule Cass Lake, Parden Town Hall, July 2, 7 p.m. Deer River, Morse Town Hall, July 8, 7 p.m. Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids City Hall, July 9, 7 p.m. McGregor, Grace Lutheran Church, July 10, 7 p.m. Walker, Walker City Park, August 11, 5 p.m. Pine River, McGuire's Piney Ridge Lodge, August 12, 7 p.m. Gull Lake, Quarterdeck Restaurant, August 13, 7 p.m. Federal Dam, Federal Dam Village Hall, August 14, 7 p.m. For directions or more information call MHB at 218-547-7263 Or send E-Mail to The Mississippi Headwaters Board

News From the MHB Region

Forest Stewardship Plans for Shoreland Residents Aitkin County shoreland property owners are invited to consider developing a Forest Stewardship plan for their woodland, under a pilot program made possible by the Minnesota DNR Division of Forestry, Mississippi Headwaters Board, Aitkin County Land Department and Forest Management Specialists. The goal of the project is to help private woodland owners understand how they can manage their property to achieve economic value but protect natural values of their shoreland, such as biological diversity, aesthetics and water quality. Harvesting timber on shorelands in Aitkin, Cass and Crow Wing counties, as well as the entire Mississippi River corridor in northern Minnesota is subject to standards mandated by Minnesota statutes and administered by the Mississippi Headwaters Board. A Forest Stewardship plan helps meet the goals of those rules. If the project is successful, it may be extended to other counties in the Mississippi Headwaters region. Individuals owning more than 20 acres on water in Aitkin County will begin receiving notice of the opportunity after July 4th. Forest Management Specialists provides consultant forestry services in northern Minnesota. Funds are adequate to write 50 plans. Project organizers estimate that there are 1,700 shoreland property owners with more than 20 acres in Aitkin County. Participants will be asked to pay a fee based on the amount of land they own. For information call Forest Management Specialists at 1-800-448-2165. Educators Tackle River Geology, Biology and Politics About 30 teachers and naturalists will learn about river geology, biology, chemistry and the politics of river protection at a workshop sponsored by the Mississippi Headwaters Board at the Audubon Center of the North Woods July 30, 31 and August 1. Presenters include Mike Link, Audubon Center director, Howard Mooers, professor of geology at University of Minnesota-Duluth, Jack Byrne and Geoff Dates, River Watch Network, Wayne Pikal, Bob Fedeler, Robin McCartney and Molly MacGregor of the Mississippi Headwaters Board. Costs of the workshop are covered by a grant from the 1995 Minnesota Legislature as recommended by the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources. Water Trails Task Force Schedules First Meeting Water trail maps of the Mississippi Headwaters are scheduled for production in early October, according to Roger Boatman, MHB Advisory Committee member directing this effort. About a dozen individuals interested in development of the maps will hold a preliminary meeting in Grand Rapids June 27th to discuss design and content. Maps will be published by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and provide more information about natural and cultural resources of the river corridor than current canoe and boating route maps. MHB will be using water trail maps developed by DNR on the Root River and on Lake Superior for inspiration.

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