St. Louis River Alliance Hosts Free DNR-Led Ice Safety at Munger Landing

The St. Louis River Alliance is hosting a free, hands-on ice-safety workshop today at Munger Landing (Clyde Avenue) in Duluth, offering residents practical instruction from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources experts on staying safe on river ice. The event runs noon to 2:00 p.m. and is part of the Alliance’s River Connection Event Series.

DNR instructors will lead lessons on surveying and checking ice thickness, recognizing safe and unsafe ice conditions, and using essential ice safety gear. The Alliance describes the curriculum as easy, practical lessons that include simple self-rescue techniques and guidance for rescuing others. A St. Louis River Area of Concern (AOC) Coordinator will be on site to share updates on completed restoration projects that have helped clean up and restore this section of the river.

Organizers have combined instruction with community amenities to encourage attendance. Demonstrations include snowshoe demos, weather permitting, and a cozy bonfire where participants can warm up. Hot cocoa and hot chocolate will be available, with marshmallows and s’mores mentioned in different promotional materials. The Alliance is also distributing safety takeaways such as emergency whistles, wallet-size ice thickness cards, and keychain tape measures.

The event reflects a broader shift in local river use as restoration work makes more of the St. Louis River accessible. “I think with the river getting cleaner, more and more people are coming out and like any new hobby, if it’s something you haven’t done a lot, you don’t always know all of the ins and outs of what is safe,” said Alyssa Johnson, Program Manager, St. Louis River Alliance. The Alliance and its partners framed the workshop as a way to equip residents with skills that can prevent accidents as winter recreation increases.

Support for the event comes from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency with funding from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Registration details and additional information are available on the St. Louis River Alliance website; organizers have encouraged participants to bring a friend or two. The Alliance lists contact information for those with questions: 394 South Lake Avenue, Suite 604, Duluth, MN 55802; phone 218.733.9520; email outreach@stlouisriver.org.

For St. Louis County residents who recreate on the river this winter, the workshop offers both instruction and low-cost safety tools. Attendees will leave with practical knowledge about checking ice, basic self-rescue skills, and take-home items designed to make outings safer. The Alliance’s presence today also signals continued public investment in reconnecting the community to a restored St. Louis River, with similar River Connection events planned throughout the season.