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 2024, our sphere of influence and metrics.
Upcoming Events
The Green Stormwater Revolution: What Have We Learned and What's Next?
**Thursday, February 19, 2026 - 9am - 11am**Dr. Rob Traver will focus on lessons learned based upon field and laboratory research at Villanova University. The discussion will focus on both the analytic side of representing the unit processes, to the practical design, construction, and maintenance lessons learned.
Minnesota stormwater pond research and practice symposium
March 31 - April 1, 2026Announcing the first-ever Minnesota stormwater pond research and practice symposium. More information will be available January 2026.
Minnesota Water Resources Conference
October 13-14, 2026Save the date for the annual Minnesota Water Resources conference. #MNWRC26
News
Trump’s EPA wants to narrow the scope of federal water protections. What does that mean in Minnesota?
December 12, 2025The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently proposed dialing back federal protections for many wetlands and streams across the country. Incoming WRC director Bonnie Keeler talked with MPR about the possible impacts to Minnesota.
Digging deep into Extension Educator Bailey Tangen's passion for soil
December 11, 2025Soil Extension Educator, Bailey Tangen, loves soil and is passionate about advocating for continuous living cover systems, such as cover crops, extended crop rotations, and reducing soil disturbance.
Epidemiological tools for Minnesota aquatic invasive species management get an update following COVID-19
December 11, 2025Molly Tilsen, a USGS award student, worked with the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center to study how aquatic invasive species were distributed in lakes across Minnesota.