Paddle the Minnesota River during Henderson's Sauerkraut Days

For Immediate Release                                                                      

Contact: James Fett 507-521-3388

Paddle the Minnesota River during Henderson’s Sauerkraut Days

If you would like to participate

Meet at the Le Sueur Boat Landing on the Minnesota River on Hwy 12 at 11:30A.M. on June 23rd. We will be starting the paddle at 12:00 Noon. The paddle will last about 3 hours, and free transportation will be provided back to your vehicles in Le Sueur. Bring your own canoes/kayaks, or Bent River Outfitters of Mankato has offered to have canoes/kayaks available on site, but reservations must be made in advance. For rates, go to http://www.bentriveroutfitter.com/packlist/rates/ . To reserve a canoe or kayak from Bent River, call 507-388-BENT (2368) and mention the Sauerkraut Days Festival. The Minnesota River will be a very family friendly paddle. Please contact James Fett at 507-521-3388 with any questions.

A second and more challenging paddle will be offered in the morning (depending on water levels) on either High Island Creek or the Rush River.  Both of these rivers require more expertise for paddlers with tougher conditions (including Class I rapids), hazards and faster flows.  The decision on this paddle will be made closer to the date of June 23^rd.  For more information contact Jesse Anderson at 507-920-8149.  

After the paddle at around 4:00 pm, the Watershed Alliance will be giving a short presentation on the main stage before the entertainment begins. We will be presenting a patch or decal to anyone who has paddled the entire length of the Minnesota River; or paddled at least three tributaries plus a stretch of the Minnesota River; or paddled 23 tributaries and three stretches (upper, middle and lower) of the Minnesota River. The three patches/decals are: MN River Tributary Paddler, MN River Extreme Paddler and MN River 335 Paddler.  More information can be found at http://www.watershedalliance.blogspot.com/

The Watershed Alliance is an organized network of citizens, public agencies and private organizations dedicated to communicating the benefits of an ecologically healthy Minnesota River Watershed to others and are actively working toward its improvement and protection.

To get an idea of paddling High Island Creek or Rush River: http://mrbdc.mnsu.edu/sites/mrbdc.mnsu.edu/files/public/major/lowminn/subshed/hi/hi_recreation_paddling.html and http://mrbdc.mnsu.edu/sites/mrbdc.mnsu.edu/files/public/major/lowminn/subshed/rush/rr_recreation_paddling.html 

Check out the Minnesota River State Water Trail Map: http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/canoe_routes/minnesota4.pdf