The University of Minnesota’s Water Resources Center provides leadership in freshwater management through cutting-edge research, educational opportunities for students and professionals, and community outreach. Authorized by Congress as one of the nation’s 54 water resources research institutes, we also connect the research expertise at the University to research problems at the national level.

What we're working on
See our diverse portfolio of programs, projects and events.

Where we're going
Read our strategic plan which guides our work and collaborations for the next several years.

What we've accomplished
Learn about our impacts and activities in 2022, our sphere of influence and metrics.
Upcoming Events
Retrofitting existing SCMs to enter the nutrient trading market
Thursday, June 22, 2023, 10 – 12 p.m.Retrofits such as floating wetland islands (on wet ponds), converting dry detention to constructed stormwater wetlands, and the addition of internal water storage to older bioretention will be discussed.
Minnesota Water Resources Conference
October 17-18, 2023Save the date for the 2023 MN Water Resources Conference.
News
'All hands on deck' at Downtown Duluth's 38th annual meeting
April 20, 2023University of Minnesota Duluth plans to bring clinical research and education to the Medical District with a new facility. The university is also pursuing Lot D for a new water-research facility.
Snowmelt and rain, where does it drain?
April 13, 2023Maggie Karschnia is a stormwater and watershed extension educator with the University of Minnesota. She serves in a joint position with Minnesota Sea Grant and the Water Resources Center. We caught up with her to talk about spring thaw and stormwater.
A Sweeping Solution to Stormwater Pollution
April 12, 2023by Maggie Karschnia, Minnesota Sea Grant, Water Resources Center
There’s a surprisingly simple and proven solution to stormwater pollution. When it rains in urbanized places like parking lots and paved streets, instead of soaking into the ground, stormwater runs off these impermeable — essentially water-proof — surfaces picking up and transporting pollutants along the way.