Practical Water Wisdom 2024 Series #10

Low and No Salt Water Softening and Conditioning

This presentation will give an overview of alternatives to home water softening as well as some of the costs and benefits of these technologies. Salt pollution is an increasing concern in Minnesota, as salt use for water softening, deicing roads, and other applications can lead to increasing chloride levels in our lakes, streams, and rivers. Elevated chloride levels can be harmful to aquatic ecosystems and species like dragonflies and freshwater mussels. Research in Minnesota has identified water softening as a major source of chloride, as much of the state has very hard water and home water softening is common. There is high interest in low- and no-salt treatment alternatives to reduce chloride pollution, but there is limited research and guidance for consumers.

Practical Water Wisdom 2024 Series #9

PFAS in Water: How did they get there and why are they so challenging? 

PFAS, often referred to as "forever chemicals," are unlike any other harmful environmental contaminants that we have faced before. Once they enter the environment they don't fully degrade and they spread quickly through water and air. This presentation will highlight recent work evaluating PFAS in Lake Superior, challenges and emerging solutions for PFAS monitoring and treatment, and a perspective on what people and agencies can do to help address the problem.

Practical Water Wisdom 2024 Series #8

Changing Water Quality in Itasca County, Minnesota Lakes

Topic Description: Our region and state are well-known for iconic, high-quality waters. Some people have reported seeing decreases in water quality and unwelcome changes in algae and plants in lakes. This presentation explores these concerns and the data that help us understand how lakes might be changing. An exploration of the factors that might lead to changes in our lakes is also discussed.

Practical Water Wisdom 2024 Series #7

Nov 21, 6900

Success Stories on Preventing and Remediating the Spread of AIS in Minnesota Lakes

Speaker Madeline Hayden, Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC) Research Outreach Specialist Hayden plays a crucial role in connecting research projects with stakeholders and providing vital support for outreach and research translation initiatives. With over 12 years of experience in freshwater mussels and river ecology, Hayden previously led the freshwater mussel propagation program with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. There, she established an aquaculture facility to rear federally endangered mussel species in Lake City, Minnesota, driven by her deep passion for preserving the health and biodiversity of Minnesota's lakes and rivers.

Practical Water Wisdom 2024 Series #6

Mining & Water Quality - How the Two Can Live Well Together in Northen Minnesota

This webinar delves into the intricate relationship between mining activities and water quality management in the context of Northern Minnesota. With its rich mineral deposits and abundant freshwater resources, the region faces the dual challenge of economic development through mining while safeguarding its pristine water bodies. The webinar explores innovative approaches and best practices aimed at achieving a balance between mining operations and water quality preservation. Drawing from case studies and expert insights, the discussion navigates the complexities of regulatory frameworks, technological advancements, and community engagement strategies. By fostering dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders, the webinar advocates for a holistic approach to ensure the sustainable coexistence of mining activities and water quality protection in Northern Minnesota.

Practical Water Wisdom 2024 Series #5

Manoomin (Wild Rice):  The Food That Grows on Water

Wild rice is a valuable food source and culturally significant resource that tribal communities and many other partners work to protect.  The cultural importance, biology, conservation, and harvest of wild rice will be discussed.  Additional information will be shared on education and outreach efforts that further work to preserve this resource for future generations.   

Practical Water Wisdom 2024 Series #4

How Minnesota Determines Fish Management Strategies, Including Stocking

Almost every angler and property owner has an opinion on how the fisheries in their lake of interest should be managed. In many cases those opinions are extremely variable. Don’s presentation will describe how fish populations in Minnesota lakes are managed. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources uses a science based approach to make management decisions based on the status of the present fish community, fish population structure and abundance, historical trends, lake habitat type and public input. Information will be provided that discusses the various aspects of fish stocking programs, why stocking may be desirable and why it may not. The need for long term management and protection of lake habitats and water quality will be discussed as it is the key to healthy fish populations.

Practical Water Wisdom 2024 Series #3

Nov 21, 5060

Loon Protection and Restoration in Minnesota

Learn more about the restoration and conservation of Minnesota’s state bird, the common loon. Together we will explore loon biology, threats facing loons, and ways you can support the conservation of the species. We will share information about the Minnesota Loon Restoration Project and opportunities to participate in ongoing community science efforts with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Nongame Wildlife Program.

Practical Water Wisdom 2024 Series #2

Living with Zebra Mussels in Minnesota - A Cautionary Tale

A discussion with three lakeshore owners who have been living with zebra mussels in Minnesota, along with a University of MN AIS specialist. If your lake is infected or threatened, what changes can you expect and what actions might you need to take?

Practical Water Wisdom 2024 Series #1

The Value of Wetlands and The Regulations that Protect Them

Presented by Jennie Skancke, Wetlands Program Consultant, Division of Ecological and Water Resources, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Topics discussed were what are wetlands, what is different about those in northern Minnesota, why do we want and need them, and how can we prevent damage to them with regulations.

Special Halloween Water Wisdom Program

Supernatural Lakes: Monsters, Ghosts, Witches, Fairies and Aliens

For centuries, people have looked at lakes and ponds as places of mystery, wonder and the unknown. Perhaps this is because they can't easily see beneath the surface so let their imaginations run wild - or is it? As a Hallowe'en treat, I will talk about supernatural lakes and tell stories of lake monsters, lake ghosts, lake witches, wicked water fairies and even aliens harbored beneath the seemingly serene waters of lakes around the world. Kick your Halloween off the aquatic way and learn some strange and supernatural things about the lakes we love.

Practical Water Wisdom 2023 Series #9

Ice formation and Melting on Lakes: What we know and why it matters. 

Presented by: Dr. Lesley Knoll is an Assistant Professor at Miami University (Ohio). She is a freshwater ecologist, and her research focuses broadly on how global change affects freshwater systems. Some of her recent work focuses on warming winters and lakes showing that lakes are biologically active in the winter, that what happens in the winter can shape lake dynamics in the summer, and that lakes provide important cultural ecosystem services to people during the winter. 

Practical Water Wisdom 2023 Series #8

How Healthy is Your Well?

Presented by: Anne Nelson is an Extension Educator working for the University of Minnesota Extension with a focus on rural groundwater management. She works primarily with farmers and private well owners to manage and protect groundwater as a drinking water source. She works with nutrient management, irrigation management, and private well concerns.

Practical Water Wisdom 2023 Series #7

AIS threats: Can they kill your pet or hurt your kids?

Presented by: Dr. Cody Sheik is an Associate Professor at the Large Lakes Observatory, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN. He is a microbial ecologist that focuses on the roles microorganisms, especially cyanobacteria, play in freshwater ecosystems. The Sheik Lab uses DNA-based approaches to identify microorganisms and the functional roles they mediate in the environment. His lab specializes in integrating genome-based data with environmental data to dissect nutrient cycles. His work has primarily focused on the Great Lakes but recently has extended to cyanobacterial blooms across Minnesota. Here they use the genomes of the cyanobacteria to identify cyanotoxin-producing vs non-toxin-producing species, with the ultimate goal of identifying the culprits and their growth cycles

Practical Water Wisdom 2023 Series #6

Water-borne disease/symptoms: Can Swimming Make Me Sick?

Presented by: Trisha Robinson is the Epidemiologist Supervisor of the Waterborne Diseases Unit at the Minnesota Department of Health where she oversees the routine surveillance activities, outbreak investigations, and health promotion activities for all waterborne pathogens, including Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Legionella, and free-living ameba.

Practical Water Wisdom 2023 Series #5

Are invasive cattails taking over your lake?

Presented by: Dr. Amy Schrank, Extension Program Leader at the University of Minnesota Sea Grant and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology at the University of Minnesota. Amy is an aquatic ecologist and her current research interests include understanding the effects of invasive, hybrid cattail on fish communities and more.  

Practical Water Wisdom 2023 Series #4

Do horsepower and wake boating matter to your lake? 

Presented by: Jeff Marr is the Associate Director of Engineering and Facilities at the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory (SAFL), University of Minnesota. . In his current role, Jeff oversees the applied research team at SAFL, which has ongoing work in stormwater engineering, hydraulic modeling, wind and waterpower, river engineering and restoration, and technology development. 

Practical Water Wisdom 2023 Series #3

Decrease Your Water FootPrint and Save Money Too!

Presented by: Dr. Afton Clarke-Sather, is an Associate Professor of Geography at the University of Minnesota Duluth. He is a human-environment geographer who has studied water use and water policy for the last decade and a half. 

Practical Water Wisdom 2023 Series #2

Water Plants and Woody Debris in Shallow Water: Friend or Foe?

Presented by Gregory G. Sass, PhD. Fisheries Research Team Leader, Office of Applied Science, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources based in Boulder Junction, Wisconsin.

Practical Water Wisdom 2023 Series #1

Loons and Bald Eagles: Can They Co-exist? Presented by: Dr. James Paruk, Professor of Biology, St. Joseph’s College, Standish, Maine. James is one of the world’s leading experts on the Common Loon. 

Practical Water Wisdom Series #8

Chloride Effects on Our Water Resources and Ecosystems: What Can We Do About It

Alycia Overbo, PhD Candidate, UofM Water Resources Science, and Strategic Initiatives and Communications Planner for Minnesota Department of Health. Her research focuses on sources of chloride pollution to the environment and potential solutions for Minnesota communities. Alycia works at Minnesota Department of Health as a Strategic Initiatives and Communications Planner. In this role, she supports special monitoring projects, policy initiatives, communications, and outreach activities for the state drinking water protection program.

Practical Water Wisdom Series #7

Land Use and Forestry Impacts on Water

Practical Water Wisdom Series #6

PFAS in Minnesota: Understanding the Impacts of Forever Chemicals 

Sophie Greene is the PFAS Coordinator at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. She began this role in 2020 and has previously worked on human health risk assessment at the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington DC. 

She will share an update on what we know and don’t know about PFAS and its impacts on our state. PFAS (or per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) are a group of nearly indestructible chemicals that linger indefinitely once they make their way into the environment.

Practical Water Wisdom Series #5

Dr. Blumenfeld presents a program about how Minnesota’s climate is experiencing changes unlike anything we have observed previously. 

Practical Water Wisdom Series #4

Presented by: Dr. Chris Filstrup, Applied Limnologist, Natural Resources and Research Institute, Duluth, Minnesota. 

Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, present a unique water quality challenge because they can rapidly form dense surface scums, or blooms, and produce potent toxins that can make people sick and kill pets and wildlife.

Practical Water Wisdom Series #3

Nov 21, 1920

Dr. Sara Heger provides property owners information about how septic systems work, including how to care for and maintain a septic system so it can function properly. Septic systems are designed to last 20-30 years, but can last more or less depending on use, care, and maintenance.

Practical Water Wisdom Series #2

Dr. Phelps, Director of the MN Aquatic Invasive Species Center, presents an interactive webinar “From the Lab to the Lake: Minnesota’s Fight Against Aquatic Invasive Species”. 

Practical Water Wisdom Series #1

Presented by Dr John Downing Director of Sea Grant College program. "Clear Information on Murky Lakes: How to Keep Them Minnesota Nice." 

Septic Systems with Mike Casey

This episode features host Jesse Davis as he interviews Bunes Septic Service Co-Owner Mike Casey on the topic of Septic Systems. Learn about proper maintenance, how septic systems affect the surrounding habitat, and what the public can do to protect and preserve Minnesota's pristine lakes.

Shoreland Advisors Program with Karen Terry

This episode features University of Minnesota-Morris Educator Karen Terry on the topic of the Shoreland Advisors Program and how to you can learn about properly maintaining and the habitat surrounding your shoreline.

Shoreline Management

This episode features Minnesota DNR Shoreline Habitat Specialist Heather Baird on the topic of shoreland management and how to maintain the habitat surrounding your shoreline.

The Aquatic Zone

This episode features Minnesota DNR lake shore expert Paul Radomski on the topic of the aquatic zone and how to maintain your lake shore property.

Introduction to Itasca Waters

This episode features Itasca Waters president Dave Lick and the topic of discussion is an introduction to Itasca Waters.