Celebrating a Major Milestone for the St. Louis River Estuary
SLRA Executive Director Kris Eilers shares why this work is so important for the community at the Thomson Reservoir press conference.
On May 27, 2026, community members from across the region gathered at Thomson Reservoir near Carlton to celebrate a major milestone in the restoration of the St. Louis River Estuary: the completion of the eighth and final contaminated sediment remediation project on the Minnesota side of the St. Louis River Area of Concern.
For decades, federal, state, Tribal, local, nonprofit, industry, and community partners have worked together to address a legacy of industrial pollution throughout the estuary. The completion of the Thomson Reservoir project represents another significant step toward the eventual delisting of the St. Louis River as a Great Lakes Area of Concern and highlights what can be accomplished through long-term collaboration and shared commitment to the river.
The Thomson Reservoir project addressed approximately 225,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment across nearly 70 acres. Innovative remediation techniques were used to reduce the impacts of historic contamination from dioxins and furans, helping restore ecological health and support the long-term recovery of fish, wildlife, and aquatic habitats throughout the watershed.
While this milestone marks the completion of sediment remediation projects on the Minnesota side of the estuary, restoration work continues. Habitat restoration, wetland enhancement, monitoring efforts, and additional projects on the Wisconsin side of the estuary will help move the St. Louis River closer to delisting as an Area of Concern in the coming years.
"Today, with our partners, we celebrate the completion of the eight sites that were remediated in the St. Louis River Estuary," said Kris Eilers, Executive Director of the St. Louis River Alliance. "This is part of the greater Area of Concern cleanup process and brings us closer to delisting as an Area of Concern. We are especially grateful to community members who, through their concern and love for the river, stepped up to make it possible for us to secure state bonding dollars that triggered the federal match totaling $73 Million that has funded the contaminated sediment clean-up.”
"As time goes by, this work will remain a living example of collaboration. We can look back on and remember the importance of the partnerships necessary to creatively solve problems and remove obstacles. It is a reminder that we possess the knowledge and ability to live in reciprocity with each other and the river—and use this success to continue restoring, protecting, and caring for the St. Louis River."
The celebration was also an opportunity to reflect on how far the river has come. Once known primarily for pollution and environmental degradation, the St. Louis River is increasingly recognized for its beauty, recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat, and importance to communities throughout the region. Thousands of acres of habitat have been restored, public access has expanded, and more people are fishing, paddling, birding, and connecting with the river than they have in generations.
The St. Louis River Alliance is grateful to the many agencies, Tribes, organizations, funders, elected officials, scientists, contractors, volunteers, and community members who have contributed to this work over the years. This achievement belongs to all of us.
Learn More
Read additional coverage of this milestone:
EPA News Release: EPA News Release on Thomson Reservoir Milestone
MPR News: Environmental Cleanup of St. Louis River Nears Completion
Northern News Now: Northern News Now coverage: Northern News Now Coverage
WDIO News: WDIO coverage: WDIO Coverage of Thomson Reservoir Cleanup
Pine Journal: Cleanup of St. Louis River Nears Completion
As we celebrate this achievement, we also look ahead. The work of restoring, protecting, and caring for the St. Louis River continues—and so does the opportunity for all of us to be part of its future.
