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.

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.
Northern Minnesota researchers close in on sulfate pollution solution 
Researchers in northern Minnesota believe they're getting closer to solving an environmental problem that has long vexed the state; how to affordably remove sulfate pollution from water. 
Drought revives ideas to shift water from Mississippi to help West
Proposals to send water from the Midwest to the southwestern U.S. — where an ongoing drought and population growth have created a looming water crisis — face significant environmental, legal and political obstacles.
On Wisconsin’s French Island, residents live with lingering ‘forever chemicals’
Wisconsin’s lawsuit comes more than four years after Minnesota settled its landmark case against 3M over PFAS contamination. Since then, scientists and regulators have learned much more about how broad and pervasive the PFAS problem is.
Rapidan community campaigns to preserve aging dam
Blue Earth County is deciding what to do with the huge Rapidan Dam. Over a century old, it suffered damage during recent flooding. If the county board votes to take it down it will be the largest-ever dam removal project in state history. However some local residents say the huge structure is vital to attract visitors, and to the town’s identity.
U of M study: Without protections, many Midwest lakes will lose coldwater habitat
The study of more than 10,000 lakes in eight Upper Midwest states concluded that protecting or restoring forests within some lakes’ watersheds could help conserve critical coldwater habitat, even amid warming temperatures.