How is the water quality of the St. Croix and Sunrise river basins? Streams and lakes in both basins are impaired. What does that mean, and what is being done about it?

James Almendinger, senior scientist at the St. Croix Watershed Research Station, will explain how scientists examine the past to understand current conditions on the St. Croix, and how computer modeling can simulate the future of the Sunrise River.

The Oct. 5 program, at Wild River State Park at 39797 Park Trail in Center City, Minn., is free, but purchase of a single-day permit or an annual state park sticker will be needed.

The program is co-hosted by Wild River State Park and the Amador-Sunrise Registry, a program of the Women's Environmental Institute.

The St. Croix Watershed Research Station conducts aquatic-based studies around the globe as well as in the St. Croix Valley. Read more about work of the station's scientists here: www.smm.org/scwrs/research.

For details, call 612-747-8267.

Kevin Giles

@stribgiles