The goal of this project is to continue the development of Hydrologic Simulation Program FORTRAN (HSPF) model application tools and improve and expand the effective application of HSPF models. The tools involved in this work include HPSF and Scenario Application Manager (SAM).
This project will complete a guidance document for the construction of Hydrologic Simulation Program FORTRAN (HSPF) watershed models which are intended to support MPCA Watershed programmatic activities. It will also customize and populate a national HSPF parameter database with values from Minnesota HSPF model applications. This enhanced database will expedite the future construction of HSPF models as well as increase the consistency among HSPF model applications in Minnesota.
This project will finalize the guidance document to ensture consistency and validity of future Hydrological Simulation Program FORTRAN (HSPF) model applications within the State of MN. This improved guidance will help to ensure consistency and validity of future HSPF model applications within the State as part of the One Water Program.
This project will support the development, enhancement, and support of the statewide Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Hydrologic Simulation Program – Fortran (HSPF) Model Repository, HSPEXP+ (enhanced expert system for HSPF model calibration), HCALC (HSPF Calibration Control), HTEXT (HSPF Timeseries Extension), Scenario Application Manager (SAM), and Preprocessing Application Translator for HSPF (PATH).
The goal of this project is to continue the development of Hydrologic Simulation Program FORTRAN (HSPF) model application tools improve and expand the effective application of HSPF models.
This project will address the numerous recommendations included in the original Guidance Document to provide an updated and improved Guidance Document. This improved guidance will help to ensure consistency and validity of future HSPF model applications within the State as part of the One Water Program.
The goal of this project is to develop a watershed-scale decision support tool, Scenario Application Manager (SAM), to facilitate prioritization and placement of best management practices (BMPs) needed to achieve the necessary reductions identified by various watershed management programs in Minnesota. SAM consists of a Geographic Information System (GIS) for site selection, and Hydrological Simulation Program – Fortran (HSPF) model application to simulate the transport of pollutants.
The goal of this project is to develop the guidance needed for water quality parameter evaluation and calibration for Hydrological Simulation Program – FORTRAN (HSPF) applications that utilize the general water quality constituent routines on the land surface to generate loadings of nutrients and organic material for input to water bodies to support dissolved oxygen (DO), nutrient, and algal simulation.
Development of Target NPS loading rates along with a pollutant source allocation tool for assessing and quantifying source allocations for impaired stream reaches for use in the TMDL development.
The goal of this work is to enhance the Scenario Analysis Manager (SAM) tool. These enhancements will enable point source and stressor identification staff within the state to quickly access data, facilitate their research, and develop scenarios. This work will focus on the development of SAM by creating a user friendly interface, expanding the BMP database, and improving the BMP simulation methodology including optimization functionality. Additionally, this work includes development of a HSPF validation tool, testing and QAQC, and provides documentation and training to expected users.
Minnesota faces many water quality and quantity challenges. State, federal and local organizations are faced with understanding hydrologic and water-quality problems and targeting cost effective solutions that are based in science. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has standardized its modeling approach for the development of the Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies (WRAPS) and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) reports required by state and federal law.
A photo exhibit and commemorative event marked the fifth anniversary of a catastrophic event in Minnesota history: the collapse of the I-35W bridge. For the exhibit, local artist Vance Gellert interviewed and photographed survivors, people who lost loved ones, first responders and other helpers. The exhibit was on view at Mill City Museum in Minneapolis from Aug. 1 to Dec. 30, 2012. A public commemorative event at Mill City Museum on Aug.
Partners: The City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Foundation. A photo exhibit and commemorative event marked the fifth anniversary of a catastrophic event in Minnesota history: the collapse of the I-35W bridge. For the exhibit, local artist Vance Gellert interviewed and photographed survivors, people who lost loved ones, first responders and other helpers. The exhibit was on view at Mill City Museum in Minneapolis from Aug. 1 to Dec. 30, 2012. A public commemorative event at Mill City Museum on Aug.
Most mercury in Minnesota waters is deposited from the atmosphere as a byproduct of burning coal and other compounds. Once in the environment, mercury can convert to a form called methylmercury where it bioaccumulates up the food chain from microscopic plants and animals to fish and then to humans and wildlife that consume the fish. The first step in solving the problem of mercury in fish is reducing the sources of mercury entering waters.
Endocrine-disrupting contaminants such as environmental estrogens have been found and studied in large lakes and streams and shown to exist at concentrations that have adverse effects on wildlife. However, very little is known about the sources and effects of environmental estrogens in small, shallow lakes. Preliminary data suggests that these compounds are present in shallow lakes and have an effect on the survival and reproduction of wildlife. Researchers at the University of St.
Establishing monitoring sites to implement Conservation Plans for selected focal species using information from the statewide marshbird survey and the Breeding Bird Atlas focused within existing Important Bird Areas
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive insect that has been decimating ash trees throughout the Great Lakes states. It was first discovered in Minnesota in 2009 and is now found in four counties (Hennepin, Houston, Ramsey, and Winona). EAB poses a particularly serious threat to Minnesota because it is home to nearly 1 billion ash trees that occur throughout the state - the second most of any state.
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive insect that has been decimating ash trees throughout the Great Lakes states. It was first discovered in Minnesota in 2009 and is now found in four counties (Hennepin, Houston, Ramsey, and Winona). EAB poses a particularly serious threat to Minnesota because it is home to nearly 1 billion ash trees that occur throughout the state - the second most of any state.
Restoring the Public Land Survey (PLS) will improve foundational GIS data that resource managers and citizens utilize on ENRTF projects and conservation easements.
This research will help the State of Minnesota understand how to improve the nitrogen removal of wastewater treatment ponds when needed, protecting outstate surface water quality and groundwater safety.
This research will reduce exposure of Minnesotans to toxic, cancer-causing chemicals by identifying and curbing key pollutant sources in the Upper Mississippi River watershed and improving drinking water treatment.
The Diversity Committee guides MNHS in relation to its strategic priority for diversity and inclusivity. The team meets regularly to discuss current offerings, interactions with various diverse communities and provides services for MNHS to increase cultural competency of staff. The committee activities have emphasized training and development of staff, choosing the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) as an assessment tool to provide a benchmark of the current state of intercultural competency with the plan of reassessing at a later date to gauge improvements.
This collaborative project creates a college to workforce pathway for under-represented students who are interested in pursuing Natural Resources careers by reducing barriers that inhibit successful educational attainment.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has identified streamflow alteration as a key stressor on aquatic life, but the characteristics of streamflow alteration acting as a stressor has not been identified in the MPCA Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) process. Without indices that characterize streamflow alteration, the MPCA cannot quantitatively associate metrics of aquatic life condition to streamflow alteration. The lack of quantifiable indices limits the ability of the MPCA to assess environmental streamflow needs for streams and rivers throughout Minnesota.
The purpose of this project is to develop recommendations and identify information for incorporating green infrastructure into the Stormwater Manual. LimnoTech will also review and suggest changes to the tree interception credit currently given to the tree trench/tree box best management practice (BMP) in the Minimal Impact Design Standards (MIDS) Calculator and manual. This work will provide information that Municipal Separate Storm Sewer (MS4) permittees can use to help meet permit requirements and stormwater management goals.
This program will develop a centralized, integrated approach to managing existing data systems and incorporating new information needs into the integrated enterprise information system of data.
PROJECT OVERVIEW The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages over 2,135 state Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) and Aquatic Management Areas (AMA) containing over 1.3 million acres. This appropriation is enabling the DNR to develop an information system that will better facilitate the management of the state's WMAs and AMAs by helping to identify needs; prioritize, plan, and carry out related activities; track and assess results of activities; and make the information available to resource management professionals and the public.
Space and water heating and cooling consume 48% of all energy used in an average U.S. residence, and usually that energy is supplied by natural gas or fossil-fuel derived electricity. Geothermal heat pumps can reduce energy requirements for heating and cooling by up to 75%. However, traditional geothermal heat pumps are expensive and their performance is difficult to predict before installation.
In 2009 and 2010, more than 565 Minnesota teachers benefitted from professional developmentworkshops led by the Minnesota Historical Society. These innovative training opportunities included:
The Minnesota Historical Society is removing financial and geographic barriers for Minnesota teachers who want to attend professional development courses. With these funds, the Society is making enriched, affordable Minnesota history training opportunities available to teachers around the state through a series of professional workshops, conferences and immersion experiences. Limited subsidies are available for lodging, mileage and substitute teacher reimbursement.
This exhibit, on view May 23-Aug. 16, 2015, featured the Ebony Fashion Fair traveling fashion show that began in 1958. Over the next 50 years the fashion fair blossomed into an African American institution that raised millions for charity and helped the Johnson Publishing Company
Promising new carp deterrent system is tested in the Mississippi River along with an existing deterrent and predators; 99% blockage is suggested and Fish and Wildlife Service is a partner.
