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News and Notes from The Friends of the Wisconsin Great River Road

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Ken Harwood
Editor / Publisher
Ken@MRRPC.com

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The Friends of the Wisconsin Great River Road was organized as a 501(C)(3) for charitable and educational purposes to promote, preserve, and protect the Wisconsin Great River Road. Friends will also work with our communities, organizations, businesses, and park and recreational entities in the counties of Pierce, Pepin, Buffalo, Trempealeau, La Crosse, Vernon, Crawford, and Grant, Wisconsin to support both the region and our National Scenic Byway & All-American Road.

Baldwin Introduces MRRRI Act to Restore and Protect the Mississippi River

4 August 2026 - US Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced the Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative (MRRRI) Act, legislation to restore and protect the Mississippi River corridor amid growing threats that put this vital waterway and the economy that depends on it at risk. The legislation creates a collaborative initiative to coordinate efforts and invest in building resilience to flooding and storms, improving water quality, restoring wildlife habitat, and stopping the spread of aquatic invasive species. MRRRI is modeled around the successful and broadly supported Great Lakes Restoration Initiative that coordinates across states and sectors to clean up toxic contaminants, control harmful and invasive aquatic species, restore habitats, and leverage investments for economic activity.

“The Mississippi River is essential to Wisconsin’s economy and way of life—from moving Made in Wisconsin products to market, to supporting fishing, boating, and other outdoor recreation, to providing fresh drinking water for millions of families,” said Senator Baldwin. “As communities along the river face more frequent flooding and worsening pollution, we must confront these challenges head-on while also making the long-term investments needed to prepare for those ahead. Investing in the Mighty Mississippi is an investment in our economy, the great outdoors, and the next generation of Wisconsinites.”...

...MRRRI will fund community-driven projects to restore and protect the Mississippi River and build resilience for the communities who depend upon it. A regularly updated action plan, developed with public input, will guide the implementation of the MRRRI and the use of federal funds to:

Improve water quality to protect drinking water, wildlife, and river-dependent industries by reducing runoff pollution.
Reduce flood and storm risks and increase community resilience through natural infrastructure solutions and ecologically sound management.
Protect and restore wildlife habitat, including by preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species.
Improve communication and partnership activities related to the focus areas listed above.
Monitor, collect, and evaluate scientific data to assess the focus areas listed above.

Full text of the bill is available here.

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Ken Notes: While not a political publication or organization "Friends" would like to thank those bringing this initiative forward.

Volunteers needed to restore 100-year-old prairie habitat along Mississippi River bluffs

NELSON, Wis. (WXOW) — Mississippi Valley Conservancy is hosting a volunteer event at:

Wandering Rock State Natural Area on Aug. 13 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Volunteers will learn about prairie and woodland edge management while removing invasive common buckthorn. Participants will use loppers and hand pruners to cut brush, and conservancy staff will apply herbicide to prevent stumps from re-sprouting.

Conservation Specialist Mitchel Block will teach volunteers about tree, grass and wildflower identification. He'll also share the management vision for the scenic bluff overlooking the Mississippi River.

More information and registration are available at:
mississippivalleyconservancy.org/events.

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Have a Roadtrip to Remember on the Great River Road

Episode 6 : Great River Road

Looking to seize the day, friends hit the Great River Road to explore charming river towns along the Mississippi.

Also, scroll down on the same page (linked above) to view other Great River Road PR assets...

Thank you Travel Wisconsin!

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Ken Notes: please share this, post it on your Facebook, invite friends from across the region to take a road trip to Wisconsin this fall...

This 3,000-mile Route Is One of the Most Stunning Drives in the U.S.—and It Follows the Largest River in North America

There are a handful of U.S. road trips that can accurately be described as legendary—Route 66, the Pacific Coast Highway, the Blue Ridge Parkway, to name just a few. But if you’re searching for an iconic and beautiful Midwest road trip, look no further than the Great River Road.

A National Scenic Byway and an All-American Road, the Great River Road, as its name suggests, follows the length of the Mighty Mississippi. The road is nearly 3,000 miles in length and passes through 10 states, from Minnesota to Louisiana.

“What makes the Great River Road special is that it’s much more than a scenic drive. You’re traveling alongside one of the world’s great rivers, but you’re also experiencing the historic river towns, local businesses, history, and culture that developed because of it,” Cory Jobe, CEO of Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau, tells Travel + Leisure. ..

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Ken Notes: Nice article and timely as I am looking at driving the route in my 1980 Ford van and travel trailer in the next few years...

The Great River Road

MAP		Discover Wisconsin Great River Road Video
	*All New Website 2026*
Here`s to Being Here: Great River Road \| Sights to See Along the Mississippi

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Perrot State Park in Wisconsin Has Hidden History Around Every Corner

Perrot State Park near Trempealeau, Wisconsin, has several wonderful trails. Along them, you'll have the opportunity to learn much about the region's natural and human history.

Perrot State Park spans more than 1,250 acres along the soaring Mississippi River bluffs northwest of Trempealeau, Wisconsin. The park was established in 1918 after John A. Latsch, a wealthy businessman from Winona, Minnesota, donated more than 1,000 acres to the state. Latsch was an avid outdoorsman who believed that the public should have access to as much of the ruggedly beautiful Driftless Area as possible.

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Mississippi River Challenge: What is it? Who

Two professional fishermen are taking on something called the Mississippi River Challenge. Keith Kavajecz, a pro walleye fisherman from Wisconsin, and Keith Poshe, a pro bass fisherman from Louisiana, have teamed up for this adventure. The pair joined Wisconsin Live Desk to tell us about the journey, why they are doing it, and what lies ahead.

The project Website and Contest is Here:

https://mrc2026.com

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Ken Notes: This is an interesting video as two guys boat, fish, and camp from the top to the bottom of the Mississippi.

Great River Road Wine Trail

Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin

Featuring nine wineries spread across three states, the Great River Road Wine Trail treats guests to excellent vintages and incredible views of the Mississippi River, plus it swings through some sweet, smaller towns. Garvin Heights Vineyards, set into the bluffs just outside the city limits of Winona, Minnesota, makes a variety of reds, whites, rosés, and blends on-site. Sip small-batch ciders on the porch at Maiden Rock Winery and Cidery in Stockholm, Wisconsin, on Wisconsin’s beautiful stretch of the Great River Road. If you want to combine your wine experience with America’s favorite pastime (baseball), hit up DnA Vintners in La Crosse, Wisconsin, famed for its cranberry wine. Afterward, walk a block away to the Lumberyard, where the La Crosse Loggers play during the summer. The baseball team is part of the Northwoods League, featuring some of the country’s top college athletes.

From the Website...

Toast to Harvest

Wine & Food Tasting Event

October 23 – 25, 2026

The Great River Road Wine Trail is a collection of wineries all located near the Upper Mississippi River in the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. The Great River Road is a pair of designated scenic highways located along both sides of the river. Plan to spend an afternoon, a weekend, or why not an entire week visiting the many villages, towns, and small cities located along the Great River.

Take your time, enjoy the scenery, and try the over 100 wines made by our local wineries....

https://www.greatriverroadwinetrail.org/

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Ken Notes: The article link takes yo to a Midwest Living article on several wine tours. The link above is for the Great River Road Wine Trail...

Wisconsin Mississippi River Interpretive Centers

Genoa National Fish Hatchery and Great River Road Interpretive Center

Great River Road Visitor and Learning Center

Fort Crawford Museum

Stonefield Historic Site

Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Visitor Center

The Potosi Brewing Company

Villa Louis

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STORY TIME: Constantly Avoiding Sucking; or, The Happiest Guy in Trempealeau, Wisconsin

...Randy asked me where I was going after Minneapolis and I told him I was driving south on Highway 35 along the Mississippi River.

“You gotta stop at this tiny town called Trempealeau on the Wisconsin side. There’s a cool old hotel within a block of the Mississippi and it’s worth checking out.”...

...I walked into the old Trempealeau Hotel and the bartender poured me a pint. I noticed a stage on the lawn behind the bar. “Do you have bands play back there.”...

...“Well in 1991 we had this big “Dinosaurs of Rock” shindig with some ’60s relics... the big headliner was Tiny Tim.”...

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Ken Notes: OK so this is just in here because I am old (old enough to remember Tiny Tim) and this story made me laugh out loud... and Trempealeau is a very cool place!

Stronger gates, stronger river: Lock and Dam 9 upgrade secures Upper Mississippi Navigation

The Upper Mississippi River lock and dam system was constructed in the 1930s, when steamboat traffic ruled the waters. Now, to keep up with the demands of the navigation industry, the district locks and dams are receiving critical infrastructure upgrades.

This summer, the four miter gates at Lock and Dam 9, near Lynxville, Wisconsin, were replaced. The St. Paul District is on a mission to replace all the miter gates at locks 2-10. The completion of this installation represents another step forward in ensuring navigation remains open on the river.

“The original gates were sufficient for the smaller, slower barge traffic of the 1930s, but now we used our knowledge about how the river is affected by ice in the wintertime and currents to design these gates,” said Jim Cook, project manager....

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St. Paul District builds a win-win island project in Upper Pool 4

A $30 million investment in the local community will build four islands, create an aquatic overwintering habitat, provide access to dredging, stabilize shorelines, support overall fish and wildlife habitat and promote recreation among river users. The Upper Pool 4 Pierce County Islands project is located near Bay City, Wisconsin, on the Upper Mississippi River.

“The granular base is complete, and we started some habitat dredging in the backwaters, we should be wrapping up fines and rock placement in the next year,” said John Henderson, project manager...

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Ken Notes: Every "pool" formed by the lock and dam system on the river form an new and interesting watershed on the river. These projects make the river even better...

Tourism Sites and Event Calendars

Grant County
Events Calendar

Visitor Guide

Wisconsin Great
River Road
Facebook Page

Crawford County
Events Calendar

Visitor Guide

La Crosse County
Events Calendar

Visitor Guide

Trempealeau County
Events Calendar

Visitor Guide

Buffalo County
Events Calendar

Pepin County
Events Calendar

Visitor Guide

Pierce County
Events Calendar

Google Map

Vernon County
Events Calendar

Visitor Guide

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This Page Contains 4 Weeks Data - Click Here For This Week

Full text of the bill is available here.

More information and registration are available at: mississippivalleyconservancy.org/events.

Episode 6 : Great River Road

Thank you Travel Wisconsin!

Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin

From the Website...

Toast to Harvest

Wine & Food Tasting Event

October 23 – 25, 2026

Great River Road Resources

Other Tourism Sites

More information and registration are available at:
mississippivalleyconservancy.org/events.