Tools and Resources
Blue Thumb Plant Finder
An online, searchable, database of native plant species designed to help Minnesota stormwater practitioners and residents develop site- and project-specific planting plans.
Duckweed harvest: Opportunities for stormwater management
Managing Urban Pond Vegetation to Enhance Water Quality Benefits: Appendix VII: This document describes mechanical methods for harvesting duckweed and how these methods could be optimized to remove phosphorus at a cost of $500 per pound.
Minnesota Home Owner's Association (HOA) Stormwater Resource Hub
The Minnesota HOA Stormwater Resource Hub explains which stormwater features HOA boards may be legally or financially responsible for managing. It also helps HOA board members connect with the appropriate Watershed Management Organization for technical and regulatory support.
Pond Assessment Tool
A spreadsheet-based tool that performs automated assessments of stormwater ponds. Built-in formulas calculate phosphorus levels and estimate the potential for sediment phosphorus release.
Adaptive Level Control Systems: Literature Review
This database synthesizes information from more than 100 documents, including pathways for evaluation and approval; approaches to ownership and operation; tools for designing and testing control algorithms; and associated costs.
Street Sweeping Phosphorus Reduction Calculator Tool
Enables jurisdictions to evaluate water quality outcomes from street sweeping programs. Agencies can calculate phosphorus reductions annually, monthly, seasonally, or by sweeper route or collection date.
How to estimate duckweed cover and pond age using aerial imagery
Managing Urban Pond Vegetation to Enhance Water Quality Benefits: Appendices II & III: Describes methods for estimating duckweed cover using historical images from Google Earth and PlanetScope and how to estimate pond age using aerial imagery.
Climate change data to inform municipal stormwater management
These data packages use NOAA data to produce customized precipitation reports for each Minnesota county, equipping local governments with accessible, locally relevant climate information for planning and decision-making.
Stormwater geodata transfer standards
- Draft Stormwater Geodata Transfer Standard: Guidance for creating a comprehensive geospatial dataset of stormwater features within a given area.
- Inlet, Outlet, & Pond Inspection Schema: Procedures for conducting field inspections and standardizing data collection and formatting.
Training
Vegetation Identification and Maintenance Techniques for Stormwater Treatment Practices
A one-day, hands-on workshop for stormwater maintenance professionals. Participants learn to use plant identification apps to accurately identify species and determine which should be removed from vegetated stormwater practices. This course introduces maintenance of vegetated systems, particularly for professionals who have traditionally focused on mechanical practices. If registration links become unavailable, please email Jessy Carlson to be added to a waitlist. Six-and-a-half (6.5) professional development hours (PDHs) are available for this course.
- Registration and information for August 4th workshop
- Registration and information for August 6th workshop
Minnesota Stormwater Pond Research and Practice Symposium (2026)
Explore a digital version of the poster session, recordings of keynote presentations, and practitioner-developed pond management guidance materials here.
Minnesota Stormwater Seminar Series
These seminars bring together researchers and practitioners to explore shared stormwater topics. Each seminar features a keynote presentation, followed by a panel discussion. Produced in partnership with the University of Minnesota’s St. Anthony Falls Laboratory.
Erosion and Stormwater Management Certification Program (ESMCP)
Provides comprehensive training for project managers, contractors, inspectors, and designers in the construction and public utilities sectors. We partner with the ESMCP to share emerging research and help deliver the annual Inspection and Maintenance of Permanent Stormwater Treatment Practices course, offered both in person and online.
Iron-Enhanced Sand Filter (IESF) Workshop
A full-day workshop hosted with Freshwater and the Rice Creek Watershed District on IESF maintenance, operation, and design. Levi Burrows from the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory shared findings on IESF performance and longevity. Watch the workshop recording to learn more.
Clean Sweep Program
Developed in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to assist MS4 permittees in implementing and enhancing street sweeping programs, helping them better meet water quality goals.