NDDC Downtown Forum to Focus on the Health of the Cannon River

The Northfield Downtown Development Corporation (NDDC) will present a public forum focusing on the health of the Cannon River on Tuesday, May 6 at 8 a.m. Featuring a panel of experts including Beth Kallestad of the Cannon River Watershed Partnership (CRWP), Hugh Valiant of the Department of Natural Resources, and Cailin Orr of St. Olaf College, the forum will take place the Riverview Conference Room, lower level of the Archer House, 212 Division Street, in downtown Northfield.

Kallestad will discuss the CRWP’s efforts to protect and improve the health of the river as it runs through the region. Valiant will present a historic overview of the condition of the river as well its prospects for the future. Orr will shift the focus to the Malt-O-Meal dam and its impact on the river’s health.

There has been much recent discussion about the Cannon River, particularly the stretch located in Northfield’s downtown district. Current and future private and public riverfront projects, a potential intensification of recreational use, and the possibility of changing the design and structure of the dam will all be part of this discussion.

The panelists will start the discussion and then field resulting questions. A number of key participants in the future of the river have been invited to attend and will participate as audience members.

The NDDC is a non-partisan, non-profit community organization dedicated to the vitality of downtown Northfield. The event is free and open to the public. As always, coffee and cookies will be served.

For more information, contact Executive Director Ross Currier at (507) 663-0319 or rcurrier@nddc.org.