Natalie Ryder

Recently the University of Minnesota’s St. Anthony Falls Laboratory research scientists wrapped up phase two of a study to understand the effects that wakeboats have on lake ecosystems.
What they found is that wakeboats traveling at semi-displacement speeds, or in surfing mode, disrupt the lakebed when the water depth is less than 20 feet deep.

In the wake of the Upper Sioux Agency State Park closure in early 2024, when the park land was transferred to the Upper Sioux Community, the DNR now says it will allocate $1.55 million each to the city of Granite Falls, Renville County, and Yellow Medicine County for smaller park improvements.
The money and improvements are earmarked for certain parks within each of the entities’ borders, and the improvements must be those the agency sought during the DNR’s 2023-2024 public engagement period.