BAY CITY – If you’ve been out on Lake Pepin lately, you may have noticed major changes underway near Bay City. The Bay City Habitat Restoration Project is moving full steam ahead — and thanks to your support, the river is already looking different. 

This year, construction crews have:

• Built new islands and wetlands at the head of Lake Pepin
• Dug access channels that connect backwaters to the main river
• Placed fine sediments on top of islands, turning bare sand into soil where plants will soon take root
• Begun opening Catherine Pass to improve water flow and habitat connections

Still to come this year: dredging overwintering pools, ongoing access channel dredging, and continuing topping islands with fine soils. Crews will continue construction as long as open water remains, likely into late November or early December.

Together, these efforts are reshaping the head of Lake Pepin into a healthier, more resilient habitat for fish, birds, and wildlife. None of this would be possible without the members and supporters who helped bring this project to life. 

Submitted by Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance