Press Releases or Public Meetings
Update to City Council
Partnership with Trout Unlimited
WDNR Surface Water Grant Award
Kinni Corridor Collaborative Director, Duke Welter presented and update to the River Falls City Council. 9/22/2020
The purpose of the update was to overview the status of the ecological restoration and dam removal project. This discussion was in preparation for a decision by the City on the drawdown inspection of Powell Dam due to the June 2020 Flood Damage.
River Falls News covered the flooding with this video
riverfalls.news footage of flooding in and around River Falls Wisconsin after a torrential rainfall. The rainfall occurred on June 29th, 2020.
The National Weather Service estimated the rainfall in River Falls to be about 7.25 inches in less than 12 hours.
With permission from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the drawdown of Powell Dam impoundment started October 1, 2020.
WDNR Surface Water Grant Award
Partnership with Trout Unlimited
WDNR Surface Water Grant Award
March 25, 2020
City of River Falls and partner Kinni Corridor Collaborative were awarded a $10,000 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Surface Water Planning Grant.
The focus of this grant award is public outreach and education. At the time of the grant application a bus tour to 3 Wisconsin communities was proposed for the late summer or fall of 2020. The purpose of the tour was to learn from the communities about the dam removal and restoration projects they completed.
KinniCC had to pivot the planned bus tour to a video series and virtual webinar with key leaders from the communities of Colfax, Baraboo and Merrill, Wisconsin.
The Key Lessons:
1. River Restoration Projects are complex but provide significant economic and recreation benefits.
2. Include key amenities in the plan - trails, signage, and connections to local business and parks.
3. Engage local service groups and community members to create the vision and tell the story - connecting community wide and deep is most successful way to maintain support.
Lessons Learned - Dam Removal and River Restoration in Wisconsin
Willow River - 50 years of change
Baraboo WI - Doug Hill interview
Baraboo WI - Joe Van Berkel interview
Barboo WI - Mike Palm interview
Merrill WI - Bob Martini Interview
Kinni Corridor Plan - Precedent Plans and Surveys - Tech Talk #5
1 Page Precedent Project Comparison
Partnership with Trout Unlimited
Partnership with Trout Unlimited
Partnership with Trout Unlimited
KinniCC was proud to have a table at the Kiap-TU-Wish annual banquet on December 5, 2019. The event was very well attended by members and guests of the local Chapter.
We appreciated the opportunity to talk with many people who are interested in the Kinni Corridor Plan and timeline for river restoration work ahead.
Board members Judie Babcock, Duke Welter and Scott Eickschen along with their spouses represented KinniCC. We’ll be at the Twin Cities TU event on December 17, 2019 to continue building our partnership with Trout Unlimited.
Focus on River Users Jumpstart
KinniCC Initial Board of Directors
Partnership with Trout Unlimited
Grant Award for the Kinni Corridor Plan jump start project – managing river user conflicts
On October 2, 2019, the River Falls Community Foundation awarded KinniCC a grant of $1,000 to develop community understanding of river etiquette between the different groups that use our beautiful Kinni river.
This is a Kinni Corridor Plan jump start project.
Powell Dam Tour - MOU Signed
KinniCC Initial Board of Directors
KinniCC Initial Board of Directors
August 31, 2019
Utilities Director, Kevin Westhuis, and Hydro Operator, Brian Hatch, escorted the KinniCC Board of Directors on a tour of the Powell Dam Hydro facility. This powerhouse is located near the pickleball court in Glen Park. There is a popular paddle launch and trout fishing area just below this Dam.
Brant Johnson, Assistant City Administrator also facilitated the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of River Falls and Kinni Corridor Collaborative at the end of the tour.
The MOU outlines expectations and a framework for the partners to work toward defined projects in the Kinni Corridor Plan. The MOU has a 10 year renewable term.
KinniCC Initial Board of Directors
KinniCC Initial Board of Directors
KinniCC Initial Board of Directors
June 2019
Pictured here is the Initial KinniCC Board of Directors
(L-R) John "Duke" Welter, Michelle Maher, Judie Babcock, Katelyn Meyers, Nate Pachl, Scott Eickschen and Matt Johnson.
KinniCC Initial Directors and Officers 2019
Press Release - Kinni Corridor Collaborative Seats Initial Board of Directors
KinniCC Formed
KinniCC Formed
KinniCC Formed
Kinni Corridor Collaborative officially incorporated in April 2019. Community members support a new philanthropic partner for the City of River Falls.
April -June 2019
Pictured are the Founders that signed the Resolution
Back Row (L-R) Chris Holtkamp, Michael Page, Judie Babcock, Eric McBeth, Gary Horvath, Michelle Maher
Front Row (L-R) Amanda Hanson and daughter Addie, Rose Rude, Alison Page, Steve Dodge, Lisa Moody
The facilitated community conversation resulted in a decision to form a new entity, rather than one of the existing non-profit organizations taking on this effort. This was to ensure alignment of the purpose of the organization with the Kinni Corridor Plan adopted in January 2019.