Water

Water shortages and problems around Minnesota — and the country — have many wondering what is the true cost of clean and reliable water. This reporting is supported in part by The Water Main, a project of American Public Media.

Study: Plant-covered ponds are source of greenhouse gases
University of Minnesota researchers found that ponds covered with a floating plant called duckweed produced more methane, one of the most potent greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.
Boundary Waters algae blooms spark questions, concern
Blue-green algae is typically found in lakes with heavy nutrient runoff from nearby farms, lawns and roads. But researchers are now trying to figure out what’s causing the sometimes harmful blooms in more remote lakes in northern Minnesota, including in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Digging into Minnesota's peat, an underappreciated climate superhero
Meet a carbon-sequestering superhero: peat moss. Efforts are underway to better understand the role that peat bogs in northern Minnesota play in mitigating climate change.
Future of Mississippi River dams in Twin Cities up for discussion again
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is about to restart a study charting the future of the Mississippi River gorge between Minneapolis and St. Paul, after barge traffic on that stretch of the river ended in 2015.
Ducks offer clues to avian influenza risk
The deadly avian influenza virus is once again showing up on Minnesota poultry farms. There's concern the fall waterfowl migration might bring a resurgence of the virus that killed millions of turkeys and chickens in the spring. There's a nationwide effort to monitor the virus in wild waterfowl, including here in Minnesota.
This is the season for collecting wild rice across northern Minnesota. Ricers have been out in canoes harvesting the crop from lakes and rivers. To preserve that rice, and give it the trademark nutty, smoky flavor involves a process of parching, jigging, winnowing and fellowship.