The Minnesota Stormwater Seminar Series provides an opportunity to learn about the most recent research, discoveries and case studies around urban stormwater management specifically for an audience of stormwater practitioners and professionals. Seminars include a presentation, panel discussion and Q&A with participants. The seminar series in 2023 will feature a new evolution and growth that includes three elements:
- National scholar presentations and panels highlighting what they’ve learned and how they’ve pushed the boundaries in the stormwater arena.
- Results from Minnesota Research Council projects.
- Stormwater practice and management approaches. The seminars will continue to be led by SAFL and the WRC and welcome the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency as a collaborator.
2023 Seminar series schedule
- March 16: In-person & Virtual
- April 13: In-person & Virtual - *NOTE this occurence does not follow the typical schedule (2-3pm)
- May 18: In-person & Virtual
- June 22: In-person & Virtual
- July 20: In-person & Virtual
- August 17: Virtual only
- September 21: In-person & Virtual
- October 12: In-person & Virtual
- November 16: In-person & Virtual
- December 14: In-person & Virtual
Seminars
Biofiltration Media – Phosphate release or capture, plant growth, chloride impacts, and more!
Note - This occurence of the series does NOT follow typical scheduling.
This presentation will share the final performance results including phosphate release or capture, plant growth, filtration rate, impacts from road salt addition on phosphate release, and simple tests and metrics that could be used to determine which components have potential to release phosphate.

Biochar for stormwater management: Challenges in translating success from the laboratory to the field
This seminar will provide an overview the utility of biochar as a media amendment for enhancing contaminant removal in stormwater filtration systems. Two case studies spanning from laboratory-scale testing to mesocosm- or demonstration-scale performance evaluation will presented, which resulted in mixed success.

Road salt impacts: Stormwater, surface water, groundwater, ecosystems and drinking water supplies
Understanding the factors that control chloride (and sodium) concentrations is essential to inform efforts to improve deicing salt application practices and reduce impacts on ecosystems and drinking water quality.