Water

An invasive crayfish new to Minnesota was found this fall in a lake near Alexandria. There’s no evidence the signal crayfish is reproducing in the lake, but it could pose a risk to lake ecosystems if a population is established.

Twin Metals, which has been blocked by the Biden administration in its efforts to build a $1.7 billion copper-nickel mine near Ely, Minn., now has the go-ahead to explore for minerals in the area owned by the state of Minnesota.

In a petition filed in April, environmental groups asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to use its emergency powers under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act to intervene in what they call an “imminent and substantial endangerment to human health.”

Of the 30 wells tested, all had some level of PFAS chemicals, but only one had PFAS above the federal recommended limit for drinking water of 70 parts per trillion.

Around the state, communities are considering what to do with their aging dams. People in Austin, Minn., think they have an answer: a custom built whitewater course.

Minnesota prison officials say preliminary results from a new round of testing show the water at the Stillwater correctional facility is safe to drink — but testing at a different state prison, in Lino Lakes, found lead in some of the water there.

Amid deepening drought conditions across much of region, Minnesota’s Drought Task Force met Thursday to coordinate and plan the state’s response.

Over the last ten years, rip currents have killed more people in the United States than tornadoes or hurricanes. This year has already been particularly bad with 76 deaths reported through August.

A proposed compact between the 10 states along the Mississippi River could prevent water diversion and protect the corridor.

Community leaders along the Mississippi River worried that dry southwestern states will someday try to take the river’s water may soon take their first step toward blocking such a diversion.