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.

Wisconsin walleye study shows 'something is not right'
Analyzing data from 1990 through 2012, researchers found walleye production fell significantly, by between 47 percent and 63 percent. And walleye success varies widely with only a few very successful lakes.
What's your favorite lake in Minnesota?
What lake in Minnesota is your favorite? Help MPR News explore why so many Minnesotans are captivated by and connected to one of the thousands of lakes that add to our state's greatness.
Regulators stand behind controversial wild rice rule
At issue is a water quality standard Minnesota adopted in 1973 that limits how much sulfate can be discharged by wastewater treatment plants, iron ore mines, paper mills, or other facilities, into waters where wild rice grows.
The city of Lake Elmo is taking one of its wells and a water tower offline because of elevated levels of chemicals in the water.
Can woodchips, wetlands clean polluted Vermillion River?
The iconic Dakota County river has struggled for decades with nitrate runoff from local farms. Watershed experts are experimenting with an approach that may aid the Vermillion and other Minnesota waters, if it works.
Crucial habitat has been cut apart, alien species have invaded places, chemicals have hurt plants and animals, wetlands and mangroves that clean up pollution are disappearing, and the world's waters are overfished, one scientist says.
Dayton gives final State of the State and some other Minnesota political stories in the news.
Dayton takes trip down memory lane in last big speech
Gov. Mark Dayton's eighth and final State of the State address concentrated as much on memories as on his remaining mission.
Your yard is a powerful force against climate change
Even tiny green spaces in urban areas appear to be more impactful in the fight against a warming climate than scientists realized.