MN Water Resources Conference 2025: Program at a Glance

Track I

The Real State of Flooding

Moderator: Ryan Johnson
Co-Moderator: Katy Thompson

10:00–10:20 – Design Storms vs. Real Precipitation Events: Implications for Stormwater Design and Watershed Management
Andy Erickson, St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, University of Minnesota

10:20–10:40 – Downstream Effects of the Rapidan Dam Breach on Blue Earth River Quality
Eileen Campbell, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

10:40–11:00 – Flooding and Resilience at the Intersection of Rural and Urban Communities
Jacob Rischmiller, ISG

11:00–11:20 – Investing in Change: The Evolution and Resilience of District-Wide Models
Bret Zimmerman, Houston Engineering, Inc.

11:20–11:30 – Q&A

Track II

Lake Management

Moderator: Steve Weiss
Co-Moderator: Greg Wilson

10:00–10:20 – Recreational Powerboat Hydrodynamics and Their Impact on the Water Column and Lakebed
Jeffrey Marr, St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, University of Minnesota

10:20–10:40 – In-Lake Management Improves Water Quality Trends in Shallow, Impaired Urban Minnesota Lake
Grace Neumiller, Stantec

10:40–11:00 – Adaptive Management in Action: Evaluating Lake Health with NMCWD's Post-Project Framework
Janna Kieffer, Barr Engineering Co.

11:00–11:20 – Dredging Doesn’t Have to Suck, or Does it? An Alternative Dredging Process in Lake Minnetonka
Luke LaMoore, AE2S

11:20–11:30 – Q&A

Track III

Engaging Urban Residents in Conservation and Recreation

Moderator: Marcelle Lewandowski
Co-Moderator: Joel Larson

10:00–10:20 – Engaging Community in Stormwater Efforts: A Case Study of Minneapolis and Adopt-a-Drain Outreach Partnership
Ann Zawistoski, Hamline University Center for Global Environmental Education

10:20–10:40 – Community-Driven Water Quality Action
Henry LaBounta, Green Guardians MN, East Isles Neighborhood Association

10:40–11:00 – Immigrants Weigh In on Water-Based Recreation Along Lake Superior’s North Shore
Zoe Barany, University of Minnesota

11:00–11:20 – The Creative Watershed: Art as a Powerful Tool in the Engagement Toolbox
Abby Moore, Mississippi Watershed Management Organization

11:20–11:30 – Q&A

Track IV

Preservation and Restoration of Wetlands

Moderator: Nasli Yilmaz Wodzinski
Co-Moderator: Wayne Sicora

10:00–10:20 – Large-Scale Aquatic Habitat Restoration in the St. Louis River Estuary
Emma Burgeson, Stantec

10:20–10:40 – Fen Sustainability: Balancing Rare Wetland Communities and Urban Growth in the South Metro
Jennifer Mocol–Johnson, Young Environmental Consulting Group

10:40–11:00 – Enhancing Suburban Wetlands: A Data-Driven Approach to Buffer Restoration in Minnetonka
Sophia Risch, Minnesota GreenCorps/City of Minnetonka

11:00–11:20 – Improving Water Quality Through Wetland Restoration (and Stormwater BMPs Too!)
Laura Rescorla, WSB

11:20–11:30 – Q&A

Track V: Special Session

Closing the Groundwater Governance Gap

Moderator: Carrie Jennings
Steward: Jim Stark

This session involves a conversation about how Freshwater, and others, modeled discussions around groundwater governance in aquifer areas. There will be no speakers, but people will participate in a mock discussion like those we hosted across the region.

Participants:

• Carrie Jennings, Research and Policy Director, Freshwater
• Alyssa Fabia, Tribal Outreach and Research Coordinator, Freshwater
• Rosie Russell, Founder and Facilitator, Community Kinetics

10:00–11:20 – Presentation

11:20–11:30 – Q&A

Track I

Sensing and Modeling the Climate Future

Moderator: Salam Murtada
Co-Moderator: Jim Stark

1:15–1:35 – Simulations of Past and Future Water Budget Components for Building Community Resiliency to Climate Change in Minnesota
Jared Trost, USGS

1:35–1:55 – Prediction of Future River Floods and Droughts in Minnesota
Nigel Pickering, Geosyntec Consultants, Inc.

1:55–2:15 – Optimizing Sensor Placement for Urban Flood Reconstruction: A Data-Driven Sparse Sensing Approach
Anu Wille, University of Minnesota
Zihang Ding, University of Minnesota Duluth

2:15–2:35 – Enhancing Water Resource Management Through Climate-Responsive Demand Assessment
Harsh Anurag, Geosyntec Consultants, Inc.

2:35–2:45 – Q&A

Track II

Private Wells to Public Systems: Minnesota Water Quality

Moderator: Jeff Berg
Co-Moderator: Marcey Westrick

1:15–1:35 – What Drives Well Water Testing Behavior Among Private Well Owners in Minnesota?
Amit Pradhananga, University of Minnesota

1:35–1:55 – Modeling Aquifer-Lake Interactions Under Ambient Conditions at Sentinel Lakes
Cliford Ndiweni, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

1:55–2:15 – Advancing Private Well Safety: Innovative Approaches to Testing and Mitigation in the TAP-IN Safe Drinking Water Program
Caitlin Meyer, Olmsted Soil & Water Conservation District

2:15–2:35 – Investigative Monitoring For Cyanotoxins in Minnesota Public Drinking Water
Shelby Kassuelke, Minnesota Department of Health, Drinking Water Protection

2:35–2:45 – Q&A

Track III

Lessons Learned in Soil Health

Moderator: Eric Brenna
Co-Moderator: Ryan Johnson

1:15–1:35 – Soil Health Practices for Vegetation Establishment and Stormwater Management and Treatment
Warren Tuel, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Office of Environmental Stewardship

1:35–1:55 – To Underdrain or Not to Underdrain … A Bioretention Lesson Learned
Andy Erickson, St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, University of Minnesota

1:55–2:15 – Decompaction and Compost Addition Have Clear Urban Soil Health Benefits
Pat Sauer, ISWEP and RootWise Environmental

2:15–2:35 – Soil Health of Newly Constructed Soils and Lessons in Compost Topdressing
David Bauer, Alliant Engineering/City of Roseville

2:35–2:45 – Q&A

Track IV

Best Practices for Stormwater O&M

Moderator: Kari Benjamin
Co-Moderator: Todd Shoemaker

1:15–1:35 – Iron-Enhanced Sand Filter Performance and Maintenance
Levi Burrows, St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, University of Minnesota

1:35–1:55 – Being WISE About Snow and Ice
Jack Distel, City of Bloomington

1:55–2:15 – Partners in Grime: Stormwater Facility Maintenance Collaboration
Forrest Kelley, Capitol Region Watershed District

2:15–2:35 – Updating the Minnesota Stormwater Inspection and Maintenance Resource Guide
Andy Erickson, St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, University of Minnesota

2:35–2:45 – Q&A

Track V: Special Session

Science Communication: Planning, Plain Language, and Accessibility

Moderator: Anne Nelson
Steward: Alycia Overbo

Speakers:

• TBD

10:00–11:20 – Presentation

11:20–11:30 – Q&A

Track I

Flood Response and Resilience Planning

Moderator: Ann Banitt
Co-Moderator: Erik Brenna

3:15–3:35 – Staying Above Water: MnDOT’s Approach to Increasing Flood Resilience by Leveraging Research and Developing New Water Resources Design Guidance
Rachel Pichelmann, MnDOT

3:35–3:55 – Stormwater Resiliency: From Study to Implementation of Resilient Stormwater Improvements
Sam Larson, AE2S

3:55–4:15 – Using Nature-Based Solutions for Flood Control: How Much Do You Need?
Caroline Burger, Carollo Engineers

4:15–4:35 – From Forecast to Action: Leveraging Real-Time Data for Coordinated Flood Response
James Wisker, Minnehaha Creek Watershed District

4:35–4:45 – Q&A

Track II

Efforts in Ground/Drinking Water Protection Against Contaminants

Moderator: Patrick Nash
Co-Moderator: Alycia Overbo

3:15–3:35 – Private Well Pesticide Sampling Project Results and Mitigation Efforts Focused on Total Cyanazine
Kim Kaiser, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

3:35–3:55 – Regional Nitrogen Leaching Loss Model for Minnesota (RNLL-M)
Solomon Folle, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

3:55–4:15 – Emerging Contaminants in Source and Finished Drinking Water Across Minnesota and Potential Health Implications
Aliesha Krall, US Geological Survey

4:15–4:35 – Empowering Private Well Users: Educational Tools and Outreach Strategies
Anne Nelson, Minnesota Department of Health

4:35–4:45 – Q&A

Track III

Aquatic Invasive Species and Lake Management

Moderator: Greg Wilson
Co-Moderator: Holly Wellard Kelly

3:15–3:35 – It's 10 Below, Do You Know Your DO?
Jenna Olson, City of Eagan

3:35–3:55 – Time Is of the Essence: Testing the Effect of Various Message Frames on Boating Angler Time Spent Performing AIS Prevention Behaviors
Brock Bahlmann, University of Minnesota

3:55–4:15 – Goldfish Management in a Shallow Urban Lake: Familiar Tactics for a New Foe
Jordan Wein, Nine Mile Creek Watershed District

4:15–4:35 – Evaluating the Effectiveness of Carp Management in Minnesota
Jake Walsh, University of Minnesota Twin Cities

4:35–4:45 – Q&A

Track IV

Uses and Benefits of Stormwater Practices and Green Infrastructure

Moderator: John Bilotta
Co-Moderator: Kari Benjamin

3:15–3:35 – Using Regional BMPs on Linear Projects to Meet Project and Watershed Goals
Laura Wehr, AE2S

3:35–3:55 – From Floods to Flora: Enhancing Water Quality and Habitat at Sylvan Hills Park
Alex Schmidt, Houston Engineering

3:55–4:15 – A Restorative Approach to Righting Historic Wrongs
Della Schall Young, Young Environmental Consulting Grou

4:15–4:35 – Optimizing Green Infrastructure for Urban Flood Management and Water Resource Conservation
Samrat Dahal, Geosyntec Consultants, Inc.

4:35–4:45 – Q&A

Track V: Special Session

Improving Water Quality Through Building Soil Health

Moderator: Paula Kalinosky
Steward: Casandra Champion

Speakers:

• TBD

3:15–4:35 – Presentation

4:35–4:45 – Q&A