The Southeastern Minnesota Water Resources Center (WRC) facilitates continuing development and implementation of water resource planning in the surrounding region.  The WRC gathers, stores and processes data related to ground and surface water, and makes the data available to governmental agencies and local citizens.  The WRC is especially interested in working with the communities of southeastern Minnesota to address water resources issues of concern to the citizens we serve.

The Southeastern Minnesota Water Resources Center, which is supported by the WSU Geoscience department, was established in the 1980’s when the department hired its first hydrogeologist, Dr. Nancy O. Jannik.  Under the direction of Dr. Jannik, the WRC responded to the need for an educational and resource center dedicated to addressing the water resources issues in the unique karst region of southeastern Minnesota.  

Throughout its history, students have been a critical partner in the work of the WRC.  Involvement in WRC projects have allowed students to directly apply the knowledge and techniques learned in the classroom to the solution of community water resources issues.  The opportunity to gain “real world” experience in water-related field and laboratory practices has also launched several WRC alumni into successful careers as professional hydrogeologists.

Over the years, the WRC has addressed the effects of agricultural practices on stream bank erosion, monitored the chemistry of regional aquifers, and analyzed the impact of well age and construction on the drinking water in the Garvin Brook Watershed – to name just a few projects to which the WRC has contributed.  Currently, the WRC is working with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to coordinate and improve the Citizen Stream Monitoring Program in southeastern Minnesota.  The WRC is also working on several projects that are focused on establishing high-resolution data sets in small watersheds that are particularly threatened by evolving landscape practices.

In 1998, Dr. Jannik became the Dean of the College of Science and Engineering at WSU.  The current director of the center is Dr. Toby Dogwiler who is an assistant professor of geology at WSU.  Dr. Dogwiler has worked extensively on water-related research in karst regions throughout the United States and is an expert in watershed science and monitoring.

Last Modified: Thursday, May 08, 2008 14:00 by