University of Minnesota Water Resources Center

09/03/2026

Congratulations to the 2026 Dave Ford Award recipient, Mark Edlund! 👏

Mark Edlund has spent nearly three decades helping Minnesotans better understand, protect, and restore the waters that define our state. As a Senior Scientist at the Science Museum of Minnesota’s St. Croix Watershed Research Station and adjunct at Universities of Iowa and Minnesota, Edlund has become one of the most respected voices in freshwater science in the Upper Midwest, not only for the depth of this knowledge and expertise, but for the collaborative and deeply human way he approaches the work

Learn more about Mark: https://waterconference.umn.edu/awards/dave-ford-award

09/03/2026

Congratulations to the 2026 Deborah L. Swackhamer Early Career Award recipient, Mary Fitzgerald! 👏

Mary Fitzgerald received a BS in Environmental Sciences, Policy, and Management from the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities. In 2019 she joined the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District (RWMWD), working in the Permitting and Regulatory department. Fitzgerald leads RWMWD’s construction site and stormwater facilities inspection programs and has been integral in the protection of water resources from pollutants associated with development activity. Her partnerships with public agencies and contractors alike have led to better environmental outcomes throughout the watershed district.

Learn more about Mary: https://waterconference.umn.edu/awards/deborah-l-swackhamer-early-career-award

08/30/2026

Meet the speaker!

During the Wednesday luncheon, October 14th, join Larry Weber, Director at the Iowa Institute of Hydroscience and Engineering (IIHR), as he speaks about the Iowa Flood Center: The Foundation for a Healthier and More Resilient Iowa

He will discuss efforts to expand environmental monitoring and forecast systems throughout Iowa to improve community resiliency and the health of the people who live and work there.

Larry Weber is the Edwin B. Green Chair in Hydraulics and a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Weber serves as the Director of IIHR – Hydroscience and Engineering, the nation’s oldest academic research program focused on hydraulics, hydrology and fluid mechanics.

Learn more: https://waterconference.umn.edu/2026-plenary-sessions

08/30/2026

Meet the speaker!

Wednesday morning, October 14th, join Ed Swain, Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota as he speaks about the History of Minnesota Research into Sulfate Pollution of Low-sulfate Aquatic Systems.

He will recount the history of Minnesota scientists who worked to explain the paradoxes of sulfate biogeochemistry – paradoxes that make it difficult to develop standards to protect wild rice and minimize mercury contamination of fish – which sulfate usually increases.

Edward Swain earned a PhD in aquatic ecology from the University of Minnesota and worked for 31 years as a research scientist for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. He has focused on the biogeochemistry of mercury – how it enters aquatic systems and the food web, affecting the health of fish and wildlife.

Learn more: https://waterconference.umn.edu/2026-plenary-sessions

08/29/2026

Meet the panelists!

Tuesday morning, October 13th, join Kim A. Lutz, Alexandra Campbellp-Ferrari, and Beaux Jones, at the Minnesota Water Resources Conference as they speak about Mississippi River Futures: Managing a Vital Watershed for the Next 100 Years.

🔹 Kim A. Lutz is the Executive Director of America’s Watershed Initiative, where she works with partners across sectors to address challenges facing the Mississippi River and its tributaries.

🔹 Alexandra Campbell-Ferrari is the Executive Director of the Center for Water Security and Cooperation and is a leading water law and policy expert, specializing in water security and water access law, including water governance and interstate water management.

🔹 Beaux Jones serves as the President and CEO of The Water Institute of the Gulf, an independent, non-profit, applied research institute based in Louisiana. Jones brings extensive experience in government, non-profit, and private sectors, with a focus on coastal and environmental law.

Learn more: https://waterconference.umn.edu/2026-plenary-sessions

08/28/2026

Director of the Water Resource Center, Bonnie Keeler, speaks on state agencies plans for changes to Minnesota's water supply.

“Water is probably our most valued asset,” Keeler said. “It’s so essential for Minnesotans, for our tourism, recreation, for our sense of place, for our cultural identity, our economy… it makes a lot of sense to take a long-term perspective.”

Read more:

MinnPost August 21, 2026 Claire Carlson, MinnPost How will Minnesota’s waters change by 2100? And what impact will the changes have on the state’s economy? Minnesota Management and Budget’s long-range planning team is creating a 75-year forecasting project to find out. Major factors impacting...

08/28/2026

Discover where your drinking water comes from at the Minnesota State Fair on September 4th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Visit the Water Bar to sample water from different sources and test your taste buds and your knowledge with fun water trivia!

Water Resources Science Water Resources Science (WRS) produces scientists with strong technical skills, a holistic understanding of the hydrologic cycle and associated ecosystems, and an understanding of the interplay between the bio-physical sciences and the social sciences in developing and implem...

08/27/2026

The Water Resources Center (WRC) is launching a new cohort program for University of Minnesota Twin Cities students seeking training and professional development to prepare for careers in the water workforce.

Applications due on September 28, 2026

Apply today: https://wrc.umn.edu/graduate/wins-scholars

08/26/2026

Hear from local agricultural producers, including Jodi DeJong-Hughes and Bailey Tangen from the Water Resources Center, about how different tillage practices can perform at a comprehensive field day on September 1st!

Read more: https://kfgo.com/2026/08/24/1344173/

University of Minnesota Extension

The tillage tool you choose today can have a lasting impact on your soil, your crop, and your bottom line. Dis...

08/26/2026

Reminder‼

Exhibitor registration is still open for the annual Minnesota Water Resources Conference!

The Minnesota Water Resources Conference is the premier event for all things water in Minnesota. It presents innovative, practical, and applied water resource engineering solutions, management techniques, and current research about Minnesota’s water resources. The conference facilitates interaction among engineers, water resources managers, researchers, and local, state and federal agency staff. Don’t miss your chance to catch up on all of the action at the 2026 Minnesota Water Resources Conference.

The number of booths is limited. Registering early guarantees all benefits; early registration is encouraged.

Register today: https://waterconference.umn.edu/registration/exhibitor-registration