(Agenda details are subject to change.)
Welcome: 8 - 8:30 a.m.
Morning Plenary: 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Mississippi River Futures: Managing a Vital Watershed for the Next 100 Years
Panel Speakers:
- Kimberly (Kim) A. Lutz, Executive Director, America’s Watershed Initiative
- Alexandra Campbell-Ferrari, Executive Director, Center for Water Security and Cooperation
- Beaux Jones, President and CEO, The Water Institute of the Gulf
In 1926, the Mississippi River was declared effectively dead in the Twin Cities. In 1927, the Great Mississippi River Flood devastated the lower end of the basin. Both events reshaped our relationship with the Mississippi River and triggered a century of change for the communities, economies, ecosystems, and infrastructure connected to the River. This panel will look ahead and ask what the Mississippi River Basin should look like for the next century. Can we manage this multi-use river more dynamically as conditions change? What role can nature-based solutions play across the watershed? How can we strengthen collaboration and learning across sectors to emerge a more resilient approach to managing America’s most consequential river system?
Break/Refreshments: 9:30 - 10 a.m.
Concurrent Session #1 (10 - 11:30 a.m.)
- Track 1: Innovations in PFAS Detection, Transport, and Treatment (Ballroom E)
- Track 2: Green Stormwater Infrastructure (Ballroom A)
- Track 3: Special Session (Rooms 1-3)
- Track 4: Remote Sensing (Rooms 10-12)
- Track 5: Assessing and Controlling Harmful Algal Blooms (Room 13-15)
Phosphorylated Flame Retardants in Minnesota’s Surface Water and Ground Water
Mark Ferrey, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
More Than Just PFAS: Using Innovative Chemistry to Uncover Organofluorine Pollution
Katharine Faber, University of Minnesota
Tracking the Fluorine: Non-target Analysis Illuminates Atmospheric PFAS Deposition and its Implications for the Great Lakes
Quinn Whiting, Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota
PFAS Removal From Compost Contact Water via Adsorption Coupled with Coagulation Pre-treatment
Bridget Ulrich, Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota
Urban Trees Influence Stormwater quantity and Quality From Site to Watershed Scales
Diana Karwan, University of Minnesota
Designing a Greener Hennepin Avenue: Balancing Complete Streets, Tree Preservation, and Stormwater Management
Heather Spencer, Rani Engineering
Establishing Permanent Vegetation in Urban Green Infrastructure: Lessons Learned Through Five Years in Minneapolis
Marla Brown, Emmons & Olivier Resources, Inc.
Lessons Learned in Bioretention
John S. Gulliver, St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, University of Minnesota
Mississippi River Gorge in Minneapolis-St. Paul: Impact of Alterations and Plans for Restoration
The Mississippi River flows through a limestone and sandstone confined valley or gorge cutting through the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. For centuries the gorge has been a place of reverence, transport, sustenance, and transformation. In this special session, we’ve gathered a broad range of presenters to share history, perspectives, technical understanding, and possible futures for the Mississippi River gorge. We’ll leave time for question and discussion between attendees and presenters.
Presenter:
- Jeff Marr, University of Minnesota
Warming Waters, Changing Lakes: Remote Sensing Insights into Minnesota’s Aquatic Past, Present, and Future
Leif Olmanson, University of Minnesota
Updates on NASA's SWOT Mission-- 4 Years in
Ross Mullen, Hazen and Sawyer
LiDAR Analysis Targets Near Channel Sediment Sources Results in Prescriptive BMP Implementation
Melissa Bokman Ermer, Scott Watershed Management Organization
Quantifying the Cropland Ponding Impacts of Drainage Ditch Improvement Projects Using Satellite Imagery
Eric Henning, ISG
Evaluating Cyanobacterial Bloom and Toxin Dynamics in Southeastern Minnesota Lakes: A Pilot Monitoring Study
Kristen Dieterman, MN Pollution Control Agency
Knowing Your Limits: Single and Multiple Nutrient Limitation in Aquatic Systems
Catherine Polik, University of Minnesota
Wavelength effect on reactive intermediate production from cyanobacterial and natural organic matter in Minnesota surface waters experiencing cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms
Abigail Matheny, University of Minnesota
Efficient Removal of Algae and Phosphorus: Using Conventional Technology and Saving Capital Costs
Crystal Brokaw
Lunch: 11:30 - 12:15 p.m.
Awards Lunch: 12:15 - 12:30 p.m.
Dave Ford Award and Deborah L. Swackhamer Early Career Award recipients recognized
Poster Session: 12:30 - 1:10 p.m.
Break/Refreshments: 1 - 1:15 p.m.
Concurrent Session #2 (1:15-2:45 p.m.)
- Track 1: Resilience Rising: Preparing for Tomorrow Together (Ballroom E)
- Track 2: Optimizing and Evaluating Iron Enhanced Sand Filtration (Ballroom A)
- Track 3: Special Session (Rooms 1-3)
- Track 4: Water Connections and Community Stories (Rooms 10-12)
- Track 5: Groundwater Recharge, Residence Time and Withdrawl (Rooms 13-15)
Crossing into the Future: Flood Resilience at Three Minnesota River Transportation Corridors
Rachel Pichelmann, MnDOT
MnDOT Metro Region Flood Resiliency Phase 2: Prioritizing Watersheds for Coordinated Flood Resilience in Highway Systems
Paul Hudalla, MSA Professional Services
Beyond the Flood Map: Transforming Local Knowledge and Model Results into Emergency Response Actions
Travis McStraw, AE2S
Future-Ready Mobility: Applying MnDOT’s Flood Risk Assessment Tool in a Changing Climate
Rachel Pichelmann, MnDOT
Quantifying Infiltration Capacity of High-Rate Biofiltration Systems
Craig Fairbaugh, Contech Engineered Solutions
Ironing Out the Details: Monitoring, Maintenance, and the Future of Iron Enhanced Sand Filters
Kendra Sommerfeld, Rice Creek Watershed District
Trace Organic Contaminants in Urban Stormwater and Removal by Iron-Enhanced Sand and Biochar Filters
Sarah Elliott, USGS
A Simple Approach for Tracking Iron-Enhanced Sand Filter Performance
Justine Dauphinais, Coon Creek Watershed District
Investing in the Future Water Workforce: Addressing Gaps in Training, Recruitment, and Career Advancement
In this session, attendees will hear from panelists who are studying the water workforce in Minnesota, developing plans to address needs, and collaborating on strategies to encourage workforce growth and diversity. The session will draw on insights from watershed districts, utilities, NGOs, academic institutions, and trade associations. Learn how your organization can benefit from this network and support the future workforce through investments in technical training programs, career fairs, and other opportunities.
Presenter:
Michelle Stockness | Executive Director at Freshwater
Adesewa Adesiji I Workforce Strategy Consultant at Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Bonnie Keeler I Director of the Water Resources Center at the University of Minnesota
On the Path Together: Lessons in Tribal-University Collaboration from Manoomin/Psiŋ (Wild Rice)
Hannah Jo King, University of Minnesota
Visitor Water Quality Perceptions Across 17 Urban and Peri-urban Lakes in the Greater Twin Cities Metro
Gaston Small, University of St. Thomas
The Sound of Water: Engineering Stream Restorations to Bring the Auditory Back to the Landscape
Rebecca Carlson, Resilience Resources
Creatively Imagining Our Shared Water Futures: Art + Policy
Henry McCarthy, Metropolitan Council
A 3D Model of Groundwater Residence Time for the Root River Watershed
Julia Steenberg, Minnesota Geological Survey
Enhancing Floodplain Aquifer Recharge Through Engineered Wetland Systems in Drought and Flood Prone Rural Iowa
Julie Blackburn, ISG, Inc.
Pilot Water Withdrawal Management Framework
Harsh Anurag, Geosyntec Consultants Inc.
Mapping Evapotranspiration, Water Stress, and Yield in Central Minnesota Using SEBAL and Yield Disaggregation
Rozita Pourmansouri, University of Minnesota
Break/Refreshments: 2:45 - 3:15 p.m.
Concurrent Session #3 (3:15 - 4:45 p.m.)
- Track 1: Unique Contaminants (Ballroom E)
- Track 2: Modeling and Strategies to Reduce Chloride in Watersheds (Ballroom A)
- Track 3: Special Session (Rooms 1-3)
- Track 4: Innovations in Precipitation and Flood Frequency Analyses (Rooms 10-12)
- Track 5: Private Well Stewardship and Groundwater Contamination (Rooms 13-15)
Identifying a Chemical Fingerprint for Use in Routine Monitoring to track Tire-derived Pollution
Stephanie Eytcheson, Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota
A Novel Integrative Approach to Evaluate Comprehensive Contaminant Burdens in Waterways: A Case Study on the Mississippi River
Ian Mundy, Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth
Statewide Microbiological Water Quality Monitoring and High-Throughput Source Tracking Across Minnesota Watersheds
Janet Sanchez, University of Minnesota
Chronic Wasting Disease in Minnesota Watersheds: A Framework for Interdisciplinary Research and Management
Anu Li, University of Minnesota
Simulation of Groundwater Chloride Transport to Creeks in the Coon Creek Watershed District, Anoka County, MN
Andrew Leaf, U.S. Geological Survey Upper Midwest Water Science Center
GIS Water Quality Modeling of Chloride for TMDL Compliance
Greg Wilson, Barr Engineering Co.
Road Salt Effect on Groundwater and Surface Water in Minnesota
Samrat Dahal, Geosyntec Consultants, Inc.
From Salt to Strategy: A Watershed Approach to Chloride Reduction
Tyler Olsen, Barr Engineering Co.
Long-range Planning for Minnesota’s Water Resources: Developing Future Water Scenarios for 2100
This session addresses the challenge of navigating uncertainty. Water resource planning typically occurs on decadal cycles and focuses on specific sectors or topics. The State’s Long-Range Planning team will engage attendees in piloting methods for creating scenarios for Minnesota water quality and quantity in 2100. These plausible futures account for drivers like climate change, economic development, land-use, and demographic shifts, with the goal of informing actionable insights for state agencies, local communities, and partners.
Presenters:
- Carrie Christensen, Planning Program Manager, Minnesota Management & Budget Long-Range Planning
- Helen Schnoes, Implementation Strategist & Long-Term Water Project Manager, Minnesota Management & Budget Long-Range Planning
- Bonnie Keeler, Director, Water Resources Center as speaker
Big Storms, Better Language: Replacing Recurrence with Risk
Noah Gallagher, St. Anthony Falls Laboratory
Current State of Precipitation Forecasting Skill in Minnesota
Karen Ryberg, Barr Engineering Co.
The Evolution and Application of Stochastic Storm Transposition in Regional Flood Frequency Analysis
Erica Schmitz, Stantec
Methods and Outcomes for Flow Frequency on the Lower Minnesota River
Helen Walz, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District
Bridging Private Wells and Wellness: Collaborative Solutions for Rural Drinking Water Safety
Kate Henke, University of Minnesota
Social Determinants of Well Owners' Engagement in Water Protection
Amit Pradhananga, University of Minnesota
Geogenic Contaminant Occurrence in Groundwater Across Three Decades: Trends Across the United States and Minnesota
Sarah Elliott, USGS
Introducing the Private Wells 101 Online Course and MNWellWaterDB
Amelia Olsen & Kate Henke, University of Minnesota
Reception and Poster Session: 4:45 - 5:45 p.m.