News

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.

by Anne Nelson, University of Minnesota Extension Water Team
If you have a private well water supply after heavy rains or flooding is a good time to inspect your well and get your drinking water tested at a certified laboratory. Proper well construction can help keep outside water, debris, and rodents from getting into your drinking water source, but sometimes small issues can go unnoticed. 

As Minnesota constructs more impermeable buildings, streets, parking lots and other structures, our problems with stormwater pollution and flooding will increase. This column is about a sweepingly simple solution to reducing stormwater pollution that can also reduce street flooding.

Most of us tend to think the Land of 10,000 Lakes has an unlimited supply of water, but environmental experts say they’re cautious about the use of groundwater. Article cites WRC research.

by Denver Link

Minnesota’s state fish is threatened by an aquatic invasive species, potentially inducing public health concern. The beloved walleye holds significant cultural and economic importance in Minnesota, but zebra mussels cause large scale changes that impact the food web. Water Resources Science graduate student Denver Link seeks to understand how zebra mussels impact food sources for walleye populations in Minnesota lakes.