August 2025: St. Louis River Area of Concern Updates

The St. Louis River (SLR) was designated as one of the 31 Areas of Concern (AOC) on the Great Lakes. It was designated as an AOC under the U.S. – Canada Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement in 1987 because of significant impacts that occurred before modern environmental laws were in place. Following the SLRAOC Remedial Action Plan, state and federal agencies have been implementing management actions to address the legacy impairments. If you look, you can now see the work in progress throughout the SLRAOC: contractors are busy each construction season, plant and animal populations are rebounding, water is cleaner, and lost habitat is being restored.

Continue reading for August St. Louis River Area of Concern project updates.

Photo: Wild rice has begun to flower and plant growth is looking good heading into late summer, provided by MNDNR.

Manoomin (Wild Rice) Restoration

Good growth is being observed in the estuary. Plants are flowering and herbivory management appears to be making a big difference again this season. Biomass and herbivory will be assessed by 1854 Treaty Authority in late August. SLRA will be hosting two restoration seeding events in September.

For more information on this project, click here.

Photo: Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad cuts through Mud Lake, provide by MNDNR.

Mud Lake Habitat Restoration

The MNDNR received $12.28M from EPA’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to enhance fish and wildlife habitat at Mud Lake. The construction project will fulfill MNDNR’s restoration goal as outlined in the St. Louis River Area of Concern Remedial Action Plan. Construction will start in 2026.

For more information on this project, go to the St. Louis River Area of Concern Story Map and St. Louis River Restoration Initiative project page.