The University of Minnesota’s Water Resources Center provides leadership in freshwater management through cutting-edge research, educational opportunities for students and professionals, and community outreach. Authorized by Congress as one of the nation’s 54 water resources research institutes, we also connect the research expertise at the University to research problems at the national level.
What we're working on
See our diverse portfolio of research and Extension programs, training and courses, conferences and speaker series, and graduate support.
The great MN water get-together
For over 50 years the Minnesota Water Resources Conference has been the state's premier water event.
What we've accomplished
Learn about our value, impacts, and activities in 2025.
Upcoming Events
Data-Driven, Unbiased Metrics to Evaluate BMP Water Quality and Hydrologic Mitigation Performance
Thursday, September 10, 2026 - 10am - NoonApplying the BMP Performance Index to field monitoring data from the Southern California Stormwater Monitoring Coalition’s Regional BMP Monitoring Network, this seminar will show how the Performance Index is informing regional management decisions in relation to TMDL compliance.
SepticSmart Week 2026
Tuesday, September 15, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.The University of Minnesota Onsite Sewage Treatment Program will offer a free training opportunity on ‘Being Septic Smart’ in September to celebrate SepticSmart Week (September 14-18, 2026).
A Broader Look at Low Impact Development
Special Seminar **MONDAY, October 12, 2026 - 10am - Noon**Low Impact Development (LID) is a way of mimicking natural hydrologic processes when developing or modifying the land. This presentation will give an overview of some of the concepts of LID and briefly list some traditional urban practices. Then it will bring a deeper dive into actual pervious concrete pavement system applications from several different locations in the USA. However, LID can be applied in many other settings than urban. Concepts for applying LID to linear projects and some unique rural applications focusing on recent flooding in the Hill Country of Texas will be explored.
News
Minnesota agencies planning ahead for changes to state’s water supply
August 21, 2026The Center is providing the Management and Budget office with research briefs on all of these drivers to help them understand the certainty around issues like climate change, which experts predict will increase Minnesota’s average annual temperature by 3.8 to 4.5 degrees Fahrenheit by the middle of the century. Average annual precipitation is estimated to increase by up to 1.2 inches by mid-century
Cyberattacks in Minnesota expose vulnerability of U.S. water systems
August 4, 2026Water Resources Center director, Bonnie Keeler, spoke with MPR News about the investigation of recent cyberattacks on Minnesota water systems.
Managing the invisible infrastructure behind Minnesota’s water
July 31, 2026Behind the scenes, the University of Minnesota’s Water Resources Center and its partners are a big reason why Minnesota is a national leader in water management.