Must-See Waterfalls in Minnesota

We appreciate the importance of water in every aspect of our lives. Water has the power to carve out valleys, move mountains, sustain life, and elicit awe. The natural wonders created by water can be appreciated right here in Minnesota. Here are some must-see waterfalls that will surely impress. Plan to visit one (or all of them) this summer with your family!

Minnehaha Falls

Arguably the most famous waterfall in Minnesota, Minnehaha Falls is a peaceful site amidst the urban landscape of Minneapolis. Visitors can bike and walk along the expansive park and get a close-up look at the gushing water. There's even an on-site restaurant to make a day of it. For a fun winter expedition, check out the beautiful colors the ice creates when the falls are frozen!

Minneopa Falls

If you are in the Southern part of the state, the most beautiful waterfall to visit is Minneopa Falls in Mankato. Minneopa State Park includes the 40-foot fall, as well as a smaller, scenic waterfall dropping just up river. Find the perfect angle to capture both falls in one epic viewing. All this set in gorgeous scenery and rocky bluffs make this a great escape.

High Falls of the Pigeon River

Located in the northeast corner of the state where Minnesota borders Canada, High Falls on Pigeon River is the tallest waterfall in the state at 120 feet. The falls thunder down a rocky cliff and flow into Lake Superior. A 1-mile hike from the nearest parking lot will allow you to visit this recluse and the natural landscape is sure to take your breath away.

Gooseberry Falls

The epitome of the north shore experience, Gooseberry Falls is just beyond Duluth in Two Harbors, MN. With 5 sets of falls through a rocky river gorge, the Gooseberry River flows out to an agate beach and into the largest lake in the world–Lake Superior. While the main falls are just a quick walk from the visitor’s entrance, there are a few others that can make for a fun hike in the nearby pine forests and rocky cliffs in this adventurous landscape.

The Cascades

Cascade River State Park is also along Lake Superior, making this the third must-see waterfall on the northern shore of Minnesota. The Cascades are a series of smaller waterfalls bumbling down a rocky slope. There are many to see; enough for an entire day of marveling as you hike.


With so many beautiful waterfalls along Lake Superior, a drive to the north shore of Minnesota would make a wondrous summer vacation. But if you would like to see some awe-inspiring waterfalls closer to you, consider Minneopa and Minnehaha Falls as excellent choices, too. It is important we all take the time to appreciate the powerful qualities of life-giving water we take for granted in this world!

You can find more information about Minnesota water on the Minnesota AWWA website.

Four Water Organizations That You Should Know About

Water is vital to the existence of every community, but millions of people across the world don’t have regular access to sanitized water. Water organizations around the world develop educational opportunities to help developing countries. Initiatives include understanding water sanitation and hygiene, addressing health concerns and issues related to unsanitary water, raising funds to support sustainable water technologies, and providing immediate access to drinkable water.

Water for People

Developed in 1991, Water for People was created out of the American Water Works Association. This non-profit organization serves in Bolivia, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Malawi, Nicaragua, Perú, Rwanda, and Uganda. It aims to improve the quality of life in these communities by supporting the development and accessibility of high-quality drinking water and sanitation services. Water for People also encourages partner countries to invest in sustainability so that everyone can have a hand in reliable access to water and sanitation for years to come.

Pure Water for the World

Pure Water for the World serves communities in Central America and the Caribbean. This non-profit organization is committed to ending illnesses caused by unsanitary water sources by providing education about preventable waterborne diseases and managing sustainable and sanitary water systems. By providing educational workshops on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), the Pure Water for the World team works with local community programs in order to develop customized solutions to a community’s water problems.

Charity: Water

According to Charity: Water, nearly 663 million people drink from contaminated water sources. Based in New York but operating in over 20 countries, Charity: Water raises funds to develop water technologies for developing countries. These water technologies range from hand-dug and drilled wells, rainwater catchments, gravity-fed systems, water purification systems, and latrines.

Through the Pipeline initiative, Charity: Water helps communities to maintain water technologies long after they are installed by providing funds to train and equip local mechanics to repair systems in need, develop innovative technologies, and educate the community on clean water sustainability.

Drop in the Bucket

Drop in the Bucket’s mission is to grant clean water access to children seeking an education. One of the ways Drop in the Bucket confronts the issue of clean water is by drilling wells at schools in sub-Saharan Africa. The presence of wells on a school campus grants greater accessibility to clean water and sanitation systems to students.

Because young girls are often tasked with the chore of fetching a family’s supply of water, having wells at school improves the chances that more girls can attend and graduate school rather than spending the majority of their day traveling to get water.

Getting Involved in Minnesota

If you are wondering how you can get involved, the Minnesota Section of the American Water Works Association will be sponsoring the annual Water for People Benefit Concert on April 29th at Bogart’s in Apple Valley. Featuring musical guest Big Bob and the High Rollers, the proceeds of the Water for People Benefit Concert will support the initiatives of Water for People. For more details, visit the Water for People Benefit Concert web page.


When you help support water charities with your time or money, we can come together to address the issue of clean drinking water. See what you can do to contribute to water education in your local community, and become a member of the American Water Works Association. Learn more at www.mnawwa.org.

The Best Smartphone Apps for Conserving Water

We are well into 2017 and the high water (use) season is right around the corner. What can you do to keep a little money in your pocket? To get started, think about all the ways that you can conserve water and not let your hard earned money flow down the drain. In fact, with all the available phone apps out there, let your phone do all the work of conserving water! Take a look below at the best apps for conserving water.

Dropcountr

This app takes a look at your entire individual water usage either hourly, daily, or monthly, allowing you to more deeply understand how your resources are being used in comparison to homes near you. Dropcountr even sends you personalized tips on how to conserve money as well as water by sending you rebates. The greatest benefit of this free app is that it connects water utility services directly to the consumer!

Water Timer

This interactive app helps to cut down on those long leisurely winter showers. Water Timer calculates the water and money that you could save from shortening your showers.This app is only available on iOS devices.

Water1der

If you are looking to teach water conservation to kids and teens, the Water1der app is an excellent choice. This app includes easy-to-read information and games that range from word scramble to multiple choice to true or false questions. The content of the games covers everything from the water cycle and water usage to water pollution and conversation. This app is only available on iOS devices.

Rain Harvest

If you are looking to begin harvesting your own water, look to Rain Harvest. This app estimates how much rainwater you could potentially collect from a rain storm. This is done by formulating rainfall, efficiency, and the total area that could catch rainwater.

Apps allow us to do everything from keeping track of our fitness to streaming music to finding shops and restaurants while on the go. In addition to these water conservation apps, you can find apps on landscaping and irrigation tracking, water fountain locaters, water leak calculators, and more! Find the perfect app to help your household conserve water.

For more information on water conservation, visit the American Water Works Association of Minnesota.

Water Conservation Tips for the Winter

While we typically think of water conservation during the hot and arid months of summer, water conservation is an important issue all year round. Take a glance below to see how you can conserve water at home in the colder months.

Be Careful with the flushes

Flushing toilets can use upwards of two gallons per flush, and even more with older toilet bowl models. Additionally, check your toilet for leaks. Leaking toilets can waste hundreds of gallons a day. Check for leaks by dropping food coloring into the toilet tank. You will be able to tell if a leak is present if you see coloring in the bowl after a few minutes. If it is in your budget, consider upgrading your toilet to a low-flush, higher efficiency toilet.

Turn the Faucet Off

Easier in theory than in practice, the small act of turning the faucet off when not in use will make a big impact. Turn the sink off as you brush your teeth. Keep the faucet off when you shave. Don’t leave the tap running while you wash the dishes. Use a dishwasher and washing machine that will recycle water and only use them when they are full. These simple adjustments will provide a big impact on your water bill.

Ready the Pipes

Cracked and burst pipes can cost a fortune. Winterize your pipes to prevent paying astronomical water and plumbing repair bills. Take some precaution to protect your pipes indoors and outdoors. For indoor pipes, insulate them so they stay warmer, heat more quickly, and are less likely to leak. Wrap outdoor pipes as well in order to protect them from unforgiving winter air. Additionally, ensure that you know what to do in the event of a water pipe burst. Locate the shut-off valve in your home in case your pipes do burst to prevent flooding.

Take a Second Look at Your Shower

Water used in the shower can account for a big portion of your water bill. Low-flow showerheads can make a big difference when it comes to water conservation. In fact, it can save you thousands of gallons of water and hundreds of dollars a year. While you shop for a new showerhead, consider decreasing the amount of time you spend in the shower. Long, languid showers will run up your monthly bills and dry out your skin.

Another trick you can do is to collect water while you run the shower and wait for it to heat up. Even if you take short showers, any water you use waiting for the temperature to be just right is clean water going right down the drain. A bucket of water collected from your shower can be used to water your plants, feed your pets, cook with, mop the floor, and much more. It’s clean and you pay for it, why not use it?

Water conservation isn’t a seasonal responsibility. You can easily implement good water habits year-round with a little extra effort. For more ways that you can conserve water throughout the year, visit the Minnesota section of the American Water Works Association today.

Recap of Minnesota AWWA 100th Annual Conference

The 100th Annual Minnesota AWWA Conference took place Sept. 20-23 at the Duluth Entertainment & Convention Center. Governor Mark Dayton declared September 22nd to be Minnesota Water Works Day.

The conference began with a day of charitable events (clay shooting, golfing, fishing) to raise funds for Water For People. Overall, 2016 MN AWWA events have raised $35,335 for Water For People and the Education Endowment. At the Convention alone, there was a record number of participants:

• 75 fishermen on 13 boats
• 50 clay shooters
• 104 golfers

Keynote speakers over the weekend included David LaFrance, CEO of the American Water Works Association, and Steve Maxwell, author of The Future of Water.

We are proud to announce that the City of St. Cloud was the 2016 Best In Glass taste test award winner for best tasting water in the state. St. Cloud’s drinking water also was selected as the 2016 People’s Choice at the Minnesota State Fair. The City of St. Cloud’s award winning water will represent Minnesota at the American Water Works Association national conference next June in Philadelphia.

New Section Positions

• Pete Moulton, the Director of Public Water Works for the City of St. Peter, was elected to the position of Section Director

• David Brown from the Metropolitan Council was elected as the Section Chair

Award Winners

• Carol Blommel Johnson - George Warren Fuller Award
• This award is presented annually by the American Water Works Association to the sections' respective selected members for their distinguished service to the water supply field in commemoration of the sound engineering skill, the brilliant diplomatic talent, and the constructive leadership which characterized the life of George Warren Fuller.

• Myron Volker - Leonard N. Thompson Award
• This award is presented annually to one member for their distinguished service to the water supply field in commemoration of Leonard N. Thompson, past General Manager of the St. Paul Water Utility for nearly 34 years.

• Uma Vempati - Andrew Sullivan Outstanding Leadership Award
• This award is presented to an individual or group for exceptional service that demonstrates initiative and dedication to the drinking water profession.

• Scott Fronek - Jon Eaton Excellence in Volunteering Award
• This award is to recognize and honor an individual AWWA member who has advanced AWWA through his/her volunteer time and efforts and has been a support to AWWA staff.

Thanks to all who participated and volunteered to make the first 100 years of Minnesota AWWA a success. Raise a glass of #drinktapwater in confident optimism that the next 100 years will be even better!