BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bemidji State University Center for Research and Innovation will host a Monday, July 21, natural resources presentation that will provide an overview of some of the water resources projects currently underway on Red Lake Reservation waterways.

The presentation, presented by the Bemidji Area Natural Resources Continuing Education Consortium, will be held from 3-4 p.m. at the CRI, an off-campus facility located at 3801 Bemidji Ave. North. The presentation, designed to be of interest to anyone who would like to learn more about the Red Lake Department of Natural Resources Water Resources Program, is open to the public free of charge.

Presenting will be Joel Rohde, water resources program director for the Red Lake Department of Natural Resources. Rohde has served as water resources program manager for the Red Lake Band since 1990 and holds a bachelor of science degree in aquatic biology from Bemidji State.

Projects that will be discussed include a bathymetric study of Upper and Lower Red Lake that will be tied to substrate data to better manage the lake. Bathymetric charts are designed to present an accurate, measurable description and visual presentation of the submerged terrain. Other projects that will be discussed include water quality assessments of 98 small lakes, stream monitoring and assessment, the annual Water Festival and an upcoming dam removal project.

“Over 236,500 acres of the Red Lake Band’s 805,725 total acres are water,” Rohde said. “In addition to the more than 135 lakes, there are over 55 miles of rivers and streams on Band land. The largest lakes on, and adjoining, Band lands are Upper and Lower Red Lakes, which cover 119,334 and 164,928 acres respectively. Of the 284,262 total acres comprising the Red Lakes, 236,513 are owned and managed by the Red Lake Band.”

Rohde’s presentation is part of an on-going series of Bemidji Area Natural Resources Continuing Education Consortium presentations, usually offered on the third Monday of each month. Groups helping organize the natural resources consortium include the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; the Chippewa National Forest; the Leech Lake Division of Resource Management; Ainsworth; and the Red Lake Reservation.

Individuals who wish to be added to a mailing list for the series or have questions should contact the Bemidji State University Center for Research and Innovation at (218) 755-4900; toll free, (888) 738-3224; or via e-mail, cri@bemidjistate.edu.

FOR YOUR CALENDAR
July 21 – 3-4 p.m. – Bemidji State University Center for Research and Innovation hosts natural resources presentation on water resources projects at Red Lake. Presenter: Joel Rohde, water resources program director for the Red Lake, Minn. Department of Natural Resources. Location: CRI; 3801 Bemidji Ave. N.; Bemidji, Minn. Cost: free. For information: (218) 755-4900; (888) 738-3224; cri@bemidjistate.edu; http://www.cri-bsu.org.