BMP Projects
Photos of several Best Management Projects that have been completed by Redwood-Cottonwood Rivers Control Area.
2019 Environmental Fair
September 24 & 25, 2019 RCRCA gave Stream Table Presentation to 183 students in the area at the Lake Shetek Bible Camp. We had students from Dawson/Boyd, Ellsworth, Mountain Lake, Luverne, Red Rock Central, Milroy, Cedar Mountain, Ruthton-Tyler-Russell and Wabasso. The students learned about sources of pollution and protectors. The model demonstrates erosion and the effects of flooding. The students are always excited to see our school bus, fire truck and livestock fall into the…
2019 Redwood River Canoe Trip
2019 Redwood River Canoe Trip. On June 20th we and mild temperature and an overcast day. We managed to launch onto the river after a rain shower passed through. After a pleasant ride on the river we had lunch at Perk's Park. The winds started to pick up as we were finishing. We packed up and a rain shower and high winds started.
2018 Annual Legislative Gathering
Joint Area II/RCRCA Annual Meeting on November 1, 2018 was held at the Redwood Area Community Center. Kerry Netzke, Executive Director of Area II and RCRCA updated everyone on the activities of both organizations. Houston Engineering gave a presentation on the upcoming Lake Redwood Reclamation project. Senator Gary Dahms and Representative Paul Torkelson attended and updated the group on the legislative activities and goals.
2018 Environmental Fair
RCRCA's Shawn Wohnoutka gave a presentation to 5th & 6th grade students on a Stream Table. This presentation highlights four sources of pollution and two protectors within the model. After the students identify them and learn more about them, Shawn turns on the model and it demonstrates how erosion happens. The students enjoy watching the destruction of the river banks and equipment, animals falling into the river. Then the students build the watershed back up.…
2017 Annual Legislative Gathering
On November 2, 2017 at the Hiawatha Lodge in Pipestone, MN - RCRCA hosted a joint educational event with Area II MN River Basin Projects to educate county commissioners, soil and water conservation district supervisors and staff, watershed district managers and staff, area legislators, agency representatives and other interested parties on the annual highlights of both organizations. Jeff Strock with Southwest Research and Outreach Center in Lamberton was the guest speaker on the effectiveness of…
2017 Environmental Fair
RCRCA demonstrated their Stream Table to students that visited their workshop at the Environmental Fair. There is a picture from each workshop group. More pictures are available by contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Some pictures are also on our Facebook Page redwoodcottonwoodriverscontrolarea.
2017 River Sampling
RCRCA has received grants for many years to take water samples on various sites within the Cottonwood and Redwood watersheds. The photos show several of the steps required to perform while taking the samples.
2017 Lake Sampling
RCRCA has a SWAG grant which requires lake sampling on various lakes in the watershed. Lyon County's intern, John Botsford assisted us with some of the sampling on the lakes.
2017 Cottonwood Canoe Trip
The day started out with a storm center rolling in, but it rolled on by after drenching us. The weather radar said an opening was coming up. We launched about 15 minutes late, but had an awesome day on the river. Another shower started just as we were finishing up with our meal in Flandreau State Park in New Ulm.
2017 Redwood Canoe Trip
We had a perfect weather day for our canoe trip - sunny, mid 70's with a gentle breeze. Good weather, good food and a great time on the river!
2016 Annual Legislative Gathering
RCRCA and Area II MN River Basin Projects host an Annual Legislative Gathering to update the legislators, partners and watershed districts on our efforts to improve our waters.
2016 Environmental Fair
RCRCA has a Stream Table demonstration for students to watch and learn about erosion in a watershed.
2016 Redwood Canoe Trip
Annual 2016 Redwood Canoe Trip - Pictures of trip and participants. This trip is held the third week in June each year. The Redwood Canoe Trip was excellent with river level up and the weather was perfect. The Cottonwood Canoe trip had to be canceled due to heavy rains causing the river levels to be unsafe.
2016 Adopt-A-Highway
RCRCA and Area II MN River Basin Projects sponsor a 2 mile stretch of Highway 19. The St. Matthew Youth Group of Wabasso, MN received a donation for their Black Hills trip for their community service assisting with the ditch cleaning efforts.
2015 Adopt-A-Highway
RCRCA participates in the the Adopt-A-Highway and assists with the clean up of a 2 mile stretch of Highway 19. RCRCA gavie a contribution to the Wabasso We Act Group for their efforts to help clean up our ditches.
2015 Redwood Canoe Trip
Photos of the Annual Redwood River Canoe trip. This trip starts about 9:30 am and ends approximately at 1:30 pm. All ages are welcomed and we all have a great time.
2015 Cottonwood Canoe Trip
Photos of our Annual Cottonwood Canoe Trip. All levels of canoeing/kayaking experience come to enjoy a few hours on the river.
2015 Environmental Fair
RCRCA gives a demonstration of what happens in a watershed, sources of pollution and sources of protectors to our water and environment. Area students attend the demonstration over the course of two days in late September.
2015 Annual Legislative Gathering
RCRCA and Area II MN River Basin Projects host an Annual Legislative gathering each year to update our partners on our activities during the year.
2014 Adopt-A-Highway
RCRCA sponsors a 2 mile stretch of Highway 19 near Vesta, MN. This year we enlisted help from the Wabasso FFA organization to clean up the ditch. The organization was given a donation for their community service.
2014 Environmental Fair
RCRCA participates in the Southwest Minnesota Environmental Fair which was held in Slayton, MN in 2014. RCRCA's stream table is a hit with all the students that get an opportunity to see it and to reshape the river. Several of the pollutants can be found at the edge of the river, waiting for the erosion to happen and fall into the river.
2014 Annual Legislative Gathering
RCRCA and Area II MN River Basin Projects invite their partners and legislators to come together to learn about our activities and discuss our concerns for our environment.
2013 Redwood Canoe Trip
Photos of our Annual Redwood Canoe Trip held in the third week of June.
2013 Annual Legislative Gathering
RCRCA and Area II MN River Basin Projects host an Annual Legislative Gathering bringing together legislators, partners and watershed districts to inform them on our activities during the year. Discussion on our future needs also takes place.
Watershed Wildlife
During our travels collecting water samples in the watersheds, we have found many opportunities to see wildlife and take pictures of them.
Photo Contest
In 2006 and 2007 RCRCA sponsored photo contests and then made a calendar of the winners. Some spectacular pictures were submitted by area photographers.
