Minnegram is a quarterly publication of the University of Minnesota Water Resources Center and is sponsored by the University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Science, University of Minnesota Extension, the USGS-USDI National Institutes for Water Resources, and the Agricultural Experiment Station.
Recent Minnegram News
Planning for the 2023 Minnesota Water Resources Conference under way with announcement of keynote sessions
The Minnesota Water Resources Conference planning committee announces topics of three keynote sessions: Minnesota's drinking water sustainability, threats and the future, The Mighty Mississippi River and Water Circularity.
A Minnesota System Designer Tackles the Tough Jobs, Advocates for Professionalism Through State Onsite Association
Stacey Feser drew inspiration from her dad, an onsite installer. Today she’s a designer, installer inspector and university instructor in soil science.
A Sweeping Solution to Stormwater Pollution
by 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.
How important are gross solids to stormwater pollution?
Larry Baker (WRS faculty), John Chapman (PI), Grace Wilson, Jacques Finlay (WRS faculty), Aaron Pietsch, and Kathryn Hoffman
We have learned in recent years that “gross solids” – coarse organic material (COM) like tree seeds, pollen, leaves, and sticks – that fall into streets add a lot of nutrients to stormwater, plus pebbles and trash, are not included in normal stormwater sampling, which collects only tiny, suspended solids (SS).
Aquatic invasive species prevention: Getting the best bang for the buck
by Nichole Angell
If you live in the Great Lakes region, you have more than likely heard of aquatic invasive species (AIS) and the risk they pose to the region’s highly valued water resources. AIS serve as ecosystem engineers negatively impacting the environment, economy, and human health. While invaders like zebra mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil can spread between waterbodies through various pathways, recreational boating is the biggest culprit.