10th season of Cedar Scenes starts
CRWD seeks watershed photos during 22-week initiative
April 28, 2026 — After nearly 4,000 images have been shared by the public, the Cedar River Watershed District is starting a 10th season of its photo initiative to highlight local waterways.
For 22 weeks, CRWD’s annual Cedar Scenes will share submitted photos online from the public showing water-related scenes from Minnesota’s Cedar River Watershed to raise awareness and support for the local outdoors. Some photos are shared by CRWD in other ways, including on display in the Game & Fish Building during the Mower County Fair.
Individuals, schools, businesses, organizations and more are welcomed to participate in Cedar Scenes, which will run from May 4 to Oct. 4. They can submit as many photos as desired at any time; CRWD can pull from those photos each week for them.
Weekly prizes will be awarded for the CRWD staff’s favorite photo, giving the submitter $20 in Chamber Bucks to use at most Austin-area businesses and a Jay C. Hormel Nature Center hardcover photo book.
“This is a great way every year for our staff to engage with the public and learn about our watershed — what fish are being caught; what paddling routes are popular; how many people enjoy paddleboarding on East Side Lake and the Cedar River,” said Tim Ruzek, CRWD’s outreach coordinator.
Since 2017, Cedar Scenes has been a popular feature during the spring and summer months on CRWD’s Facebook page. Thousands of previously submitted photos can be viewed by searching the hashtag #cedarscenes on Facebook.
For the 10th-straight year, the Runnings store in Austin is sponsoring a 10-foot kayak drawing for all who submit photos this year. Each submitted photo — limited to two per week — counts as one entry in the drawing.
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Last October, Lyle Public School was drawn as the kayak winner, with staff and students accepting the kayak at the newly opened Orchard Creek Landing on the Cedar River State Water Trail in Lyle Township. Overall, about 470 images were submitted during the 2025 Cedar Scenes season; the record is 607 images in 2023.
Photos for Cedar Scenes can be new or old/historic but must showcase water or a water-related scene in the Cedar River watershed in Minnesota. This includes the Cedar River, East Side Lake, Dobbins Creek, Turtle Creek, Wolf Creek, Little Cedar River, Rose Creek and numerous others. Popular sites in past years have included Austin Mill Pond (Cedar); Ramsey Dam and Mill Pond (Cedar); Jay C. Hormel Nature Center (Dobbins Creek); and East Side Lake (Dobbins).
Funding for Cedar Scenes comes from state funds targeted for raising awareness on the effects of aquatic invasive species (AIS) on Minnesota waterways. “Clean In, Clean Out” is the message for all boaters to help prevent the spread of AIS.
All photos submitted to CRWD can be used by the watershed district for nonprofit uses as the CRWD is a local government unit that communicates with and educates the public on the watershed and water-related issues. Submitted photos must be the person’s own photo or have been approved for submission by the photographer. Entries must include the submitter’s name and general information about the photo’s location and date.
Weekly winners will be announced on CRWD’s Facebook page. The grand-prize winner of the Runnings kayak needs to be at least 18 years old or come with a parent or guardian to get the kayak.
To submit photos for Cedar Scenes, you can:
- Email images to: tim@mowerdistrict.org
- Use Facebook to send images to CRWD (tag, post on CRWD’s page or use Facebook Messenger)
- Drop off images (digital or print) at CRWD’s office, 1408 21st Ave. N.W., in Austin.
