|
NEWSLETTER / NOVEMBER 2024
MWMO 2024 Year at a Glance
Your Watershed. Our Work. This Year in Numbers and Stories.
 A Year of Impact and Innovation
2024 was a year of remarkable progress and collaboration for the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization. Guided by our mission to protect and enhance the health of the watershed, we brought together communities, innovative practices, and environmental stewardship to create lasting impacts.
From art exhibitions that celebrated our shared connection to water to transformative riverfront restoration projects, every effort reflected the power of working together for a sustainable future.
Let’s take a closer look at the stories, numbers, and milestones that defined 2024!
 Using art to connect communities to the watershed.
Key Stat
In 2024, the MWMO engaged over 2,500 community members through art exhibits, workshops, education sessions, and community events—connecting people of all ages with the importance of a healthy Mississippi River.
Spotlight Story
In 2024, we transitioned from Personal Watersheds—an interactive fiber art exhibit by Sarah Nassif exploring connections to water through handcraft and storytelling—to Network: A River Connected by Victoria Bradford Styrbicki. This exhibit features handmade fishing nets and stories from her journey along the Mississippi, illustrating our interconnectedness across the watershed.
As we move into 2025, we’re excited to re-introduce a rotating exhibit program, showcasing diverse perspectives on water and environment for the first time since the pandemic.
 Transforming industrial zones into thriving, sustainable riverfront spaces.
Key Stat
In 2024, MWMO and its partners restored approximately 14 acres of native habitat along the Minneapolis riverfront—spanning Ole Olson Park, Graco Park, Upper Harbor Terminal, and Xcel properties.
Spotlight Story
In 2024, we partnered with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) on transformative work at Upper Harbor Terminal, Ole Olson Park, and Graco Park.
These overlapping initiatives tackled challenging industrial areas with a focus on restoring habitats, improving public access, and implementing cutting-edge stormwater management systems. Through collaborative planning, we introduced native vegetation, removed contaminated soils, and installed green infrastructure to filter runoff before it reaches the Mississippi River.
These projects are crucial steps toward reclaiming polluted urban spaces, revitalizing ecosystems, and enhancing public access, while contributing to the long-term health of the Mississippi River. By creating vibrant and sustainable riverfront environments, we’re laying the groundwork for thriving communities and a healthier watershed for years to come.
 Harnessing data and innovation to protect and restore our watershed.
Key Stat
In 2024, our monitoring program encompassed 11 stormwater stations, 9 precipitation stations, 7 river water quality sites, and 6 green infrastructure (GSI) and BMP monitoring sites—capturing a more comprehensive picture of how water moves and changes throughout the watershed.
Spotlight Story
Under the leadership of Monitoring Program Manager Emily Resseger, the MWMO kicked off several new initiatives aimed at shifting our focus to more holistic BMP monitoring and fostering fresh collaborations. Highlights from the year include:
-
Mill Race Monitoring at Mill Ruins Park – In partnership with Dakota-led nonprofit Owámniyomni Okhódayapi, we expanded our monitoring to the mill race near the Stone Arch Bridge. In August, the team collected water samples from both the mill race and adjacent stormwater outfalls. We also installed a EnviroDIY Mayfly data logger that continuously tracks conductivity, depth, and temperature—data we’ll use to inform restoration and habitat improvement efforts. Looking ahead to 2025, we plan to deepen this collaboration and explore additional ways to support water quality and habitat restoration at this culturally significant site.
-
Expanding BMP Performance Tracking – At the Eighth Street Stormwater Planters, we launched sediment and infiltration testing to evaluate a stormwater planter’s performance five years post-installation. This marks an exciting move toward deeper, data-driven insight into how green infrastructure evolves over time.
-
Measuring GSI Effectiveness – At the Hoyer Heights Tree Trenches, we measured pre- and post-BMP water quality to gauge how rain gardens manage nutrients in a small urban catchment—part of a multi-partner effort to refine our stormwater best practices.
By integrating cutting-edge technology, building partnerships, and zeroing in on holistic BMP performance, our 2024 monitoring initiatives ensure the MWMO stays on the forefront of science-based decisions that benefit both our communities and the Mississippi River.
 Continuing Our Mission
In 2025, we remain steadfast in our mission to lead and foster stewardship of the watershed. Our work will focus on creating a shared vision for a river system with ecological integrity through measures that promote civic ownership and diverse, functional ecosystems. Three priorities drive our efforts:
Climate Adaptation
As Minneapolis faces increasing heavy rainfall events and the resulting strain on stormwater infrastructure, our focus is on designing projects that can handle more intense, unpredictable downpours and reduce flood risks. to help protect local communities and preserve the health of the Mississippi River.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
We’re strengthening community partnerships and ensuring our programs reflect the voices and needs of all residents. Through expanded outreach and inclusive engagement, we aim to share resources and opportunities equitably across the watershed.
Long-Term Operations and Maintenance (O&M)
Protecting our investments in green infrastructure and habitat restoration requires a commitment to long-term care. In 2025, we’ll refine our O&M strategies to maintain, monitor, and optimize projects for enduring environmental benefits.
Here’s a glimpse at what’s coming in 2025.
 |
|
New Art Exhibit Launch
Kick off the year with the debut of our next art exhibit, Filter Effect, featuring vibrant works from artist Brighton McCormick.
This exhibit, running from mid-January through late May, features interactive printmaking workshops and a seed distribution event to encourage local planting and conservation. With Cold Press and Hot Press sessions, it’s a unique blend of art, education, and community engagement—all designed to deepen our collective appreciation for the river we share.
|
Upcoming Events
Winter Salt Awareness Week
📅 January 27–31, 2025
Winter Salt Week is a collaboration of governmental and non-governmental organizations across the United States and Canada with the goal of raising awareness around salt pollution and reduction solutions. Stay tuned for more information about MWMO events and how you can participate.
Art+Science on the River
📅 Winter–Spring, 2025
The Art and Science on the River workshop series blends scientific information with art-making, allowing participants to walk away with a deeper understanding of each topic and the importance of working together to protect and restore the Mississippi River and surrounding watershed.
Each workshop will focus on a specific topic and will include a presentation and discussion with subject-matter experts as well as an art activity guided by local artist Kimberly Boustead.
Art+Science topics this year will include salt, buckthorn, and carp. Dates and registration coming soon.
 In the latest episode of River of Ideas, host Abby Moore talks with artist and choreographer Victoria Bradford Styrbicki about her transformative project Network: A River Connected. Victoria shares her journey traveling on foot from the Mississippi River’s headwaters to the Gulf of Mexico, stopping in over 100 communities to gather stories, landscapes, and voices.
Learn how traditional net-making, family history, and community collaboration inspired Victoria’s exhibit, which showcases the connections that tie us all to the river. Explore the intersection of art, storytelling, and the environment in this inspiring conversation.
Watch River of Ideas Episode 08 on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcasting app. Don’t forget to subscribe!
Network: A River Connected at MWMO
 Don’t miss the final days of Victoria Bradford Styrbicki’s exhibit, Network: A River Connected, on display at the MWMO Stormwater Park and Learning Center through January 10, 2024. Featuring hand-crafted fishing nets, photos, and video, the exhibit highlights community connections along the Mississippi River.
📅 January 6, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
📍 Mississippi Watershed Management Organization
Visit during these times to meet the artist or stop by any time during regular exhibit hours—Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.—to tour the exhibit on your own. Just ring the doorbell for admission.
Learn more about her work in our latest podcast episode.
 Minnesota winters demand robust road safety measures, but the environmental toll of traditional salt use is significant. Could brine solutions—like pickle brine or cheese brine—be a sustainable alternative? While creative, these organic solutions still pose challenges, such as introducing phosphorus and chloride into waterways.
The best path forward? A mix of smarter salting, mechanical snow removal, and innovative infrastructure like heated pavements. These approaches can help reduce salt dependency, protect ecosystems, and ensure road safety.
This is just the beginning of the conversation. Dive deeper into the potential of brine solutions, the challenges they pose, and what a sustainable winter maintenance future might look like on our blog.
Photo of the Month
 Frazil ice melting on the Mississippi River near Nicollet Island
This winter, downtown Minneapolis offers a mesmerizing sight: frazil ice swirling across the Mississippi River. Unlike the smooth surface of a frozen lake, frazil ice forms in turbulent water when frigid air cools the river below freezing, creating a slushy mix of needle-like ice crystals.
The result? A dynamic, textured display that shifts with the river’s currents—a fleeting marvel of Minnesota winter. Next time you’re near the river, pause and take in this natural masterpiece!
|
