MN Water Resources Conference 2025: Program at a Glance

Track I

Nitrate Dynamics in Agricultural Systems

Moderator: Marcey Westrick
Co-Moderator: Patrick Nash

10:00–10:20 – Modeling Hydrologic Impacts of Land Use Changes in the Straight River Watershed Using SWAT+
Harprabhjot Kaur Dhaliwal, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota Twin Cities 

10:20–10:40 – Stochastic Estimation of Regional Nitrate Source Apportionment in Minnesota
Xiang Li, University of Minnesota

10:40–11:00 – Nitrate Leaching in a Winter Barley – Soybean Double-Cropping System
Jason Hickman, University of Minnesota

11:00–11:20 – Demonstrating the Nitrate Tradeoff Exploration Tool
Philip Margarit, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota Twin Cities 

11:20–11:30 – Q&A

Track II

Modeling Frameworks, Data Collection, and Trends

Moderator: Ann Banitt
Co-Moderator: Steve Weiss

10:00–10:20 – Minnesota's Forward-Thinking Framework for Statewide Green Stormwater Infrastructure Integration
Della Schall Young, Young Environmental Consulting Group

10:20–10:40 – Bringing It All Together – Integrating Surface Hydrology, Hydraulics, and Groundwater to Understand Minnesota’s Water Complexities
Nicholas Thomas, HDR

10:40–11:00 – Seasonal Water Quality Trends in Minnesota Rivers: Nitrate, Phosphorus, and Sediment Trends for Open Water Months
James Jahnz, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

11:00–11:20 – Ditch Those Soggy Field Forms: Modernizing Data Collection at the MPCA
Benjamin Lundeen, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

11:20–11:30 – Q&A

Track III

Lake Management and Ice Impacts on Primary Producers

Moderator: Holly Wellard Kelly
Co-Moderator: Joel Larson

10:00–10:20 – Defining Successful Lake Vegetation Management Plans: Long Lake Eurasian Watermilfoil Case Study
Jimmy Marty, Emmons & Olivier Resources, Inc.

10:20–10:40 – Seasonal Shifts in Primary Production Across Trophic Gradients in Diverse Lakes
Anthony Chukwubueze Okoboshi, University of Minnesota Duluth

10:40–11:00 – Source Water Protection and Management: Comprehensive HAB Mitigation
Alex Gerling, Hazen and Sawyer

11:00–11:20 – The Relationship Between Chlorophyll and Nutrients Under Ice: Diverse Systems Across Seasons
Drew Check, University of Minnesota Duluth

11:20–11:30 – Q&A

Track IV

Bioaccumulation, Biological Spread, and a Campaign for the Future

Moderator: Leah Gifford
Co-Moderator: Ryan Johnson

10:00–10:20 – Monitoring Microplastics in an Urban Watershed
Eoghan O'Neill, Capitol Region Watershed District

10:20–10:40 – Mercury in Northern Minnesota Watersheds: An Update on the State of Science Regarding Mercury Cycling and TMDL Implementation
Spencer Washburn, Geosyntec Consultants

10:40–11:00 – 2026 Mississippi River Campaign: Sacred Water, Shared Future
Casandra Champion, Metropolitan Council Environmental Services

11:00–11:20 – From Soils to Streams: Characterizing the Spread of Chronic Wasting Disease in Minnesota Watersheds
Anu Li, University of Minnesota

11:20–11:30 – Q&A

Track V: Special Session

Groundwater Chloride and Its Influences on Surface-Water Quality

Moderator: Jared Trost
Steward: Jim Starck

1. Recent Chloride Trends in Minnesota's Urban Lakes, Streams, and Stormwater – Ben Janke, University of Minnesota
2. Beneath the Surface: Exploring Chlorides in Shallow Groundwater as a Stressor to Aquatic Life in Impaired Urban Streams – Justine Dauphinais, Erik Bye, Coon Creek Watershed District
3. Simulation of Chloride Transport Through Shallow Groundwater to Creeks in the Coon Creek Watershed District, Anoka County, MN – Andy Leaf, Colin Livdahl, USGS
4. Overview of the MPCA Chloride Reduction Program – Chandi McCracken–Holm or Brooke Asleson, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Discussion Panel

• Ben Janke, University of Minnesota
• Andy Leaf, USGS
• Chandi McCracken–Holm, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
• Justine Dauphinais, Coon Creek Watershed District
• John Gulliver, University of Minnesota

10:00–11:20 – Presentation

11:20–11:30 – Q&A

Track I

Water and Phosphorus Storage in Tiled Landscapes

Moderator: Marcelle Lewandowski
Co-Moderator: Erik Brenna

10:00–10:20 – Dual Benefits of Water Storage: Water Quality and Crop Productivity
Jeffrey Strock, University of Minnesota

10:20–10:40 – Economic Analysis of Drainage Water Recycling Systems: Costs, Benefits, and Next Steps
Spencer Pech, ISG

10:40–11:00 – Storage in Rural Landscapes: Lessons Learned from 20 Years of Storage Implementation in the Minnesota River Basin
Chuck Brandel, ISG

11:00–11:20 – Investigating Sediment and Phosphorus Patterns Through Baseflow Separation and Concentration Discharge Analysis to Determine Characteristics of Loading in Midwestern Agricultural Watersheds
Ashlyn Cowgill, University of Minnesota

11:20–11:30 – Q&A

Track II

Monitoring and Removal of Contaminants of Emerging Concern

Moderator: Kari Benjamin
Co-Moderator: Lorin Hatch

10:00–10:20 – Removing Frequently Detected Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) from Stormwater with Augmented Biofilters
Zihang Wang, University of Minnesota

10:20–10:40 – Bioeffects-Based Approach to Evaluate Attenuation of Stormwater Toxicity by Best Management Practices
Dalma Martinovic–Weigelt, University of St. Thomas

10:40–11:00 – Passive Sampling and High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry for Enhanced Contaminant Monitoring in Minnesota Waterways
Ian Mundy, Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth

11:00–11:20 – Feasibility of an Upscaled Electrode-Integrated Biofilter for Sulfate Treatment and Sulfur Recovery
Jack Thompson, Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth

11:20–11:30 – Q&A

Track III

Improving Stormwater Pond Performance

Moderator: Todd Shoemaker
Co-Moderator: Erick Francis

10:00–10:20 – Update on Spent Lime as an Alternative for Sediment Phosphorus Inactivation
Greg Wilson, Barr Engineering Co.

10:20–10:40 – Riparian Vegetation: A Secret to Pond Function
Jack Distel, City of Bloomington

10:40–11:00 – Ten Years Evaluating Success of the Salo Pond Alum Treatment System in St. Anthony Village
Alicia Nelson, WSB

11:00–11:20 – Optimizing Urban Water Quality: Filtration Bench Retrofits in Existing Stormwater Systems
Emily Jennings, SEH

11:20–11:30 – Q&A

Track IV

Addressing Chloride and Water Quality in Urban Settings

Moderator: Alycia Overbo
Co-Moderator: Jared Trost

10:00–10:20 – Source Water Protection in MN: Establishing a Surface Water Program
Danielle Luzinski, Minnesota Department of Health

10:20–10:40 – A Hidden Source: Investigating Dry Weather Chloride Spikes in an Urban Stream
Chase Vanderbilt, Coon Creek Watershed District

10:40–11:00 – Minnesota Adopts Low Salt Design in Stormwater Manual
Connie Fortin, Bolton & Menk

11:00–11:20 – The Cold Climate Center of Excellence for Stormwater Infrastructure Technology (CCCESIT)
Andrew Erickson, St. Anthony Falls

11:20–11:30 – Q&A

Track V: Special Session

Lessons Learned in Stream Restoration Practice and Research

Moderator: Wade Johnson
Steward: Ann Banit

Speakers:

• Dr. Karen Gran, University of Minnesota Duluth
• Luke Lunde, WSB
• Mark Pranckus, Inter-Fluve
• TBD, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Fisheries

10:00–11:20 – Presentation

11:20–11:30 – Q&A

Track I

Soil Health, Irrigation, and Nutrients

Moderator: Joel Larson
Co-Moderator: Marcey Westrick

10:00–10:20 – What Do Farmers Think About Soil Health Practices?
Marcelle Lewandowski, University of Minnesota Water Resources Center

10:20–10:40 – Evaluating the Impact of Irrigated Agriculture on Water Resources in Minnesota’s Central Sands
Isabella Radler, University of Minnesota Twin Cities

10:40–11:00 – A Nutrient Study in the Groundwater-Fed Straight River (Becker/Hubbard Co.)
Kevin Stroom, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

11:00–11:20 – Assessing Soil Residue Cover, Cover Crops, and Erosion Using Remote Sensing and Modeling
Edwardo Luquin Oroz, University of Minnesota

11:20–11:30 – Q&A

Track II

Evaluations of PFAs Fate and Removal Strategies

Moderator: Kari Benjamin
Co-Moderator: Jared Trost

10:00–10:20 – Trace Organic Contaminants in Urban Stormwater and Removal by Biochar and Iron-Enhanced Sand Filters
Sarah Elliott, USGS

10:20–10:40 – Assessment of Long-Term Effectiveness of Particulate Amendments for In-Situ Remediation of PFAS in Mixed Contaminant Plumes
Amber McRae, Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota

10:40–11:00 – Removal of PFAS from Stormwater Runoff, Compost Contact Water, and Landfill Leachate Using Commercial Adsorbents
Tadele Haile, Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth

11:00–11:20 – Evaluating the Fate of PFAs During Anaerobic Digestion of Food Waste
Neda Amanat, Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth

11:20–11:30 – Q&A

Track III

Lake Water Quality Trends

Moderator: Anne Wilkinson
Co-Moderator: Lorin Hatch

10:00–10:20 – Utilizing Satellite Imagery and Machine Learning to Improve the Minnesota LakeBrowser: Incorporating Near Real-Time Updates and 4.6 Million New Water Quality Measurements Through High-Performance Computing
Leif Olmanson, Department of Forest Resources, University of Minnesota

10:20–10:40 – Legacy Phosphorus and Eutrophication in Our Border Waters – Steps Toward Understanding Dynamics and Implications for Management in the Rainy River–Lake of the Woods Watershed
Anna Baker, USGS Upper Midwest Water Science Center

10:40–11:00 – Phosphorus Offset Planning in the Red River Basin
Ted Preister, Red River Basin Commission

11:00–11:20 – Examining Complex Water Quality Trends in Metro Area Lakes
Catherine Polik, University of Minnesota

11:20–11:30 – Q&A

Track IV

Stream Restoration and Health Habitats

Moderator: Nazli Yilmaz Wodzinski
Co-Moderator: Leah Gifford

10:00–10:20 – Comparing Fish, Invertebrates and Stream Habitat Between Full-Channel Realigned and Less-Disturbed Stream Reaches
Valery Brady, Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth

10:20–10:40 – Floodplain Excavation as a Cost-Effective Technique for Stream Restoration and Natural Channel Evolution
Lucius Jonett, Midwest Wetland Improvements

10:40–11:00 – Bioengineered Streambank Restorations on Morrison County Streams and Rivers
Mike Becker, Morrison SWCD

11:00–11:20 – Big Lessons from Little Creek: Fish Passage and Stream Restoration for the Recovery of Topeka Shiner in Missouri
Steve Herrington, The Nature Conservancy

11:20–11:30 – Q&A

Track V: Special Session

Effectiveness Monitoring in Minnesota: Understanding & Discerning Change

Moderator: Benjamin Lundeen
Steward: Brent Dalzell

Effectiveness monitoring is fundamental to quantifying the impact of conservation efforts. This session will highlight efforts by agencies, researchers, and conservation groups to quantify the impact of BMPs on water quality, habitat, and biodiversity. Case studies and tools that connect implementation to impacts will be addressed by presenters. Some of the topics include reducing nutrients and sediments, the benefits of habitat restoration, and emerging technologies for monitoring.

Speakers:

• Tiffany Schauls, Watershed Scientist – Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
• Kristen Dieterman, Watershed Project Manager – Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
• Jenny Jasperson, Environmental Specialist – Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
• Jason Palmer, Natural Resource Biologist – Iowa Department of Natural Resources
• Benjamin Lundeen, Statewide Monitoring Coordinator – Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

10:00–11:20 – Presentation

11:20–11:30 – Q&A