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4/20/04 Free
River-Friendly Yard Management Workshop will be held Thursday, April 29,
2004 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at the Hjemkomst Center, 202 1st Avenue
North Moorhead, Minnesota. 4/12/04 S.S.
Ruby, the Gem of the North, will begin touring the Red River for the season
on Friday, May 21st. Last year over 4100 people discovered the history,
geography, and wildlife of the Red River from the decks of the S.S. Ruby
during a 45-minute narrated pontoon tour. Each cruise leaves at the top
of the hour, every hour. The S.S. Ruby seats 18 people and can be reserved
for birthdays, family reunions, or company outings any day of the week.
Have
you wanted to paddle the Red River? Come and join us for some fun at the
13th annual River Keepers’ “Race the Red” canoe and kayak
races. They will be held on National Trails Day, Saturday, June 5, 2004.
“Race the Red” competition will consist of a competitive 10-mile
and a fun two-mile race. The competitive canoe and kayak race begins at
the bike/pedestrian bridge in Lindenwood Park (5th Street and 17th Avenue
South, Fargo) at 10 a.m. The fun race will begin at the same location
at 1:00 p.m. Both races will end at Dike East (100 S. 2nd St., Fargo)
with an awards ceremony at 2:00 p.m. Do
you know a youth who wants to learn how to fish? Or do they already know
and want to be in a fishing derby? Please join us for the Lil’ Fishermen’s
Derby and Clinic on Saturday, June 5 at Fargo’s Dike East/Midtown
Dam (100 South 2nd Street in Fargo). It’s a free day of fishing fun
for families! 7/23/03 Looking for a fun group service project? River Keepers has been working with the City of Moorhead and City of Fargo on updating our storm drain marking program which protects the Red River by linking human actions to pollution problems. Groups attach a curb marker next to the storm drains that say 'no dumping, drains to river' to alert people that whatever goes down that storm drain goes directly to the Red River without being cleaned at a wastewater facility first. The group will also distribute doorhangers to houses along the streets where the markers are attached to let the neighborhood know what not to put down the storm drain, why, and what they can do instead. Please contact River Keepers if you are interested in participating. Look for the S.S. Ruby and the Red Hat Ladies on CBS 4's "Trip on a Tankful" tonight (Wednesday) evening news. River Keepers now rents canoes and kayaks at the S.S. Ruby landing. Same hours as the S.S. Ruby. For more information call 701-793-RUBY. The Red River is listed as number 8 on a top ten list of Canada's most endangered rivers, developed by Earthwild International and Wildcanada.net in observation of the International Year of Clean Water. Between July and December 2003, further development of 'action tools' will highlight the value of Canada's rivers, the threats facing them, and the need for a comprehensive conservation strategy to protect them. Threats to the Red are summarized as the discharge of sewage effluent from several large urban centres, including the residual effects of a large spill of raw sewage in 2002; the rapid expansion of the hog industry in Manitoba that has resulted in increased phosphorous and nitrogen loads, and the continued loss and drainage of wetlands within the watershed that alters flow and increases flood stages. The summary cites the Devils Lake controversy and also notes that non-point source‚ damage is further exasperated in a transboundary watershed such as the Red River Basin, where there are multiple jurisdictions governing input levels of pollution and withdrawal limits for urban use and irrigation. For more information see http://www.wildcanada.net/EndangeredRivers.asp?w=EndangeredRivers&a=takeaction 2/18/03 According to River Keepers of Fargo-Moorhead, Ed Carlson, local fishing guide, will be featured on "Fishing the Midwest" with Bob Jensen. It will air locally on the FOX cable network on Sunday, February 23 at 10 a.m. This show was filmed right here in our own neck of the Red River last summer. You may find it educational, as well as a bit entertaining? For more information visit: http://www.fishingthemidwest.com/tvshow_descriptions.shtml "How to Fish the Red River" is a 5 week course for fishers of all ages who want to learn the basics for effectively fishing the Red River. Participants will learn about the different presentation used for catching jumbo catfish and walleyes around the dams, what baits to use, what structures to look for, and how to fish back waters effectively. The instructor for his course is John Burt, Hunting/Clothing/Footwear Manager for Scheel's All Sports in Fargo. Participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a guardian who is also registered for the class. Classes will be held on Thursday nights from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. starting March 6 and ending April 3. The course fee is $40 for adults and $30 for youth 16 and uner. Call Craig Bjur, Fargo Park District, at 701-298-6907 ext. 7109 for more information. From River Keepers of Fargo-Moorhead: For those of you who are interested in some of the science and politics of water...flooding, wetlands, waffle concept, water quality etc. Consider attending the 1st International Water Conference sponsored by Red River Basin Institute. River Keepers staff, Christin Holland, and former board member, Jay Leitch, are two of the many presentors. The conference is April 23 & 24 at the new Moorhead Area Conference Center. Plenary speakers and concurrent sessions will address some of the most problematic issues of water management, flood damage reduction/mitigation, and natural resource protection/development confronting policy makers, scientists, and citizens of the Red River Basin. One- and two-day registration options are available, as well as a FREE, optional tour on Friday, April 25. Register now to meet the Early Bird discount deadline. Complete the online registration form, as well as view the tentative conference schedule, a list of presenters, and hotel contact information, on the conference web site: www.tri-college.org/watershed/conference.htm 2/01/03 The environmental group River Keepers received the "Outstanding Program Award" at the 20th Annual Red River Basin Land and Water International Summit Conference in Winnipeg. The award recognizes an organization for its development of a program within the basin that furthers the goals of the Red River Basin Commission. River Keepers shared the award with Grand Forks' Dakota Science Center. Both organizations coordinated successful youth Water Festivals. River Keepers' Annual Water Festival is for fourth grade students in the fall. More than 15-hundred students from the Buffalo-Red River Watershed District and the Southeast Cass Water Resource District attended the three day event. 10/15/02 The
Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has issued a State of the Waters
2002 Report. 4/23/02 River
Keepers in Fargo-Moorhead will hold it's annual meeting Wednesday, April
24th at the Hjemkomst Center (202 1st Avenue North in Moorhead). As part
of the River Keepers Annual Meeting, Matt Glaesman, City of Moorhead Planner
and Bill Mahar, City of Fargo Planner will make a presentation on the
Main Avenue Bridge replacement. The State of Minnesota Planning Department has produced a report entitled "Connecting with Minnesota's Urban Rivers." River Keepers staff in Fargo-Moorhead assisted in the preparation of the 50 page report. (You will need Acrobat Reader to open it.) A
USGS study shows the nation's waterways are awash in traces of chemicals
used in beauty aids, medications, cleaners and foods. Among the substances:
caffeine, contraceptives, painkillers, insect repellent, perfumes and
nicotine. 4/12/02 The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has released a new product that may be of interest to owners of riverfront property - a CD that can be used to determine the proper plants to put in a riverfront restoration project. "Restore your Shore," a new interactive CD-ROM produced by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), guides users through the process of protecting a natural shoreline or restoring a degraded shore with a natural buffer. A restored natural shoreline can help curb erosion, provide fish and wildlife habitat, and promote cleaner water, while not detracting from swimming, fishing, boating or other recreational uses. The Fargo City Commission is expected to approve lighting under the First Avenue, Burlington Northern and NP Avenue Bridges Monday night. The Fargo Park District and the City of Fargo are splitting the costs. This project was requested by River Keepers. Fargo City Commissioner Rob Lynch and Mayor Bruce Furness support the project.The City of Moorhead already has lighting under their side of those bridges. River Keepers focus group research indicates that the downtown riverfront area is thought by some to be a "scary" place. It is hoped that lighting will help dispel those fears. RiverKeepers of Fargo-Moorhead has been working with the forestry departments of both the City of Fargo and the Fargo Park District on a project to clean up some of the downtown riverfront brush and weeds to allow police officers better access to the area. The Board of River Keepers has approved a resolution endorsing an enhanced Main Avenue Bridge project. Learn more about the project at the River Keepers annual meeting April 24 at 4:30 p.m. at the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead. The presentation on the bridge will start at 5 p.m. and is open to the public. 12/13/01 Remember to practice safety near rivers and lakes. With the days getting shorter and the nights cooler the river should be froze over in a few days. River Keepers reminds the public that it takes at least 4 inches of clear solid ice to support humans and at least 5 inches of clear solid ice to support snowmobiles. River ice usually forms slower than lake ice so when you see people enjoying lake ice activities do not assume the rivers are also safe. In the urban environment most of our storm drains flow all winter long and with some of them there is enough flow to keep the ice from forming even or for the ice to remain thin in that area. With a clear solid base of good ice enjoy the river for cross country skiing and ice fishing. Just make sure its safe before venturing out. 11/28/01 The Red Bear Grill & Tavern "On the mighty Red", 700 1st Avenue North, Moorhead, will be opening to the public on December 3. For reservations or more information, call 218-287-0080. A spokesperson for River Keepers says they are pleased to see this addition to the urban waterfront. The main floor dining room in the rear of the building has a wonderful view of the Red River. The ribbon cutting is scheduled for Thursday, November 29th at 4 p.m. All River Keepers are invited to the event. Hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be served. Next year look for the S.S. Ruby to be serving sandwiches from the Red Bear. In addition, plans are to have a docking facility for SS Ruby, on the Red by the Red Bear. Funding a non profit organization is always a challenge. River Keepers, like many other non profits, has an endowment fund to help ensure the long term viability of the organization. Interest from the fund can help fund special projects or operations. In addition, funds can be "borrowed" from the fund to help with short term cash flow. River Keepers' endowment fund is called the "Red River of the North Fund" and is managed by the Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation. For more information on the fund or other giving opprtunities visit the Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation website and click on "Funds." 11/15/01 More than 350 grade school student participated in the 3rd Annual Red River Water Festival. Fourth grade students from Harwood and Moorhead's Riverside and George Washington Elementary schools participated in many of the water and river displays and activities. Other fourth graders from Fargo's Nativity and Longfellow Elementary learned about water testing, identified bugs that live in the river, played water games and learned how rivers are formed. The students used their creative skills to make rainsticks and studied the Red River's history.
The event, organized by FM River and River Keepers, was sponsored by ND Project WET, EPA Region 8, and Clay SWCD/Comprehensive Local Water Plan. Other agencies involved include: Moorhead Public Service, Fargo's Wastewater Treatment Plant, Concordia Biology Department, Red River Valley River Watch, UND's Energy and Environmental Research Center, Prairie Public Broadcasting, MSUM Regional Science Center, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and North Dakota Game and Fish. For more information, contact River Keepers at 701-235-2895. 11/09/01 Barnesville high school students are using their growing science knowledge to learn more about the Red River. Sophomores from Mrs. Carlson's biology class are identifying the "critters" known as macro-invertebrates that live in the waters of the Red. This learning program is in conjunction with F-M River Keepers. The classes will also monitor the water quality and quantity of the Red River. (More information) 10/10/01 Members of the Clay County Committee of the Whole agree the best place for a proposed bridge to span the Red River south of Fargo-Moorhead is at 76th Avenue South. Commissioners, following the advice of the Clay County Planning Commission, will make their decision formal at next Tuesday's regular commission meeting. According to the Fargo Forum, The Clay County decision could cause conflict between fargo and Moorhead. A September 12th vote by Fargo's Planning Commission recommends a different option. The Fargo City Commission could take action at its Oct. 29 meeting. If Fargo's commissioners go for the second option, the whole matter will be given to the Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments for mediation. 10/08/01 River Keepers is excited with the downtown streetscaping projects planned in Moorhead and Fargo. River Keepers Executive Director, Bob Backman says they are pleased that the Moorhead plan includes the river.The Center Mall Plaza and several streets are currently under reconstruction. The mall project includes a fountain of cut granite stones made to form the shape of the Red River. Bronze discs will highlight historic sites along the Red River Valley. 8/17/01 The kick off show for FM River debuts tonight at 8:30 on Prairie Public TV. |
