Featured Services
![Three researchers aboard a boat sample for phytoplankton with a net.](/sites/nrri.umn.edu/files/styles/folwell_full/public/2021-07/freshwater-edna-sampling.jpg?itok=IeBOhnYO)
Program Overview
We believe that humans can live sustainably with our aquatic resources, ensuring plentiful clean water for future human generations while also supporting the ecosystems that we value and that support our recreation, businesses, and industries. Our teams develop tools and techniques that help society move into this sustainable future, characterizing, measuring and documenting the improvements made along the way. We also provide research, methods development, new technologies, and analysis services to support this vision and our clients.
Program Goals
Develop science-based tools, materials and technologies to assess and protect our water resources, and restore them if degraded.
Unique Strengths, Expertise and Capabilities
Our interdisciplinary team of experts in data science and the fundamental biological and chemical aquatic sciences work together to develop various applications for natural and engineered aquatic systems, including aquatic ecosystem restoration, water treatment and remediation, and water quality monitoring and management. By incorporating an understanding of natural environmental processes, science and engineering fundamentals, we apply a systems-based approach to develop holistic solutions to pressing environmental problems.
Research Labs
- Freshwater Ecosystem Research and Monitoring Lab: Faunal AIS, fish, aquatic macroinvertebrates, zooplankton research
- Lake and Stream Ecosystem Ecology Lab: State-certified water chemistry analyses
- Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology Lab: Microbial solutions to environmental pollution
- Environmental Chemistry Lab: Researching contamination solutions
- Phytoplankton and Paleolimnology Lab: Using algae to indicate environmental conditions
- Water Treatment Pilot lab: Beneficial reuse of waste materials
Featured Video
Staff
Related News
![A man holds 5 gallon bucket while pouring purple dye into a creek. Woman watches.](/sites/nrri.umn.edu/files/styles/article_lists/public/2023-08/img-5143.jpg?itok=Grc9UvLr)
NRRI stream restoration assessments go deep to understand if the fixes met goals to improve habitat.
![Woman sits at bench with microscope and counting apparatus.](/sites/nrri.umn.edu/files/styles/article_lists/public/2023-08/img-5234_1.jpg?itok=PBjZaNmb)
For aquatic research scientist, Holly Wellard Kelly, her favorite project is the one she’s working on.
![Man in white lab coat and PPE stands at automated machine in a lab.](/sites/nrri.umn.edu/files/styles/article_lists/public/2023-06/img-4891.jpg?itok=j3r9paz4)
NRRI invests in state-of-the-art technology for faster results, cost savings to cyanobacteria monitoring program.
![A man and large dog stand on a rock on shore of very large lake.](/sites/nrri.umn.edu/files/styles/article_lists/public/2023-06/img_2397.jpeg?itok=y2HFVRaf)
Fascination with tiny diatoms keeps NRRI scientist exploring water world.
![Computer models showing estuary currents](/sites/nrri.umn.edu/files/styles/article_lists/public/2023-05/chin_wu_circulation_model_4-25-2023.png?itok=d08vtDeN)
Project models St. Louis River estuary rip currents to decrease drowning risks.
![A man takes wire nets out of a box in a storage area.](/sites/nrri.umn.edu/files/styles/article_lists/public/2023-05/crayfish_trap.jpg?itok=lFiPC-l0)
NRRI technicians travel far and wide to get the data that informs the research.
![A woman sits at a lab bench in front of microscope](/sites/nrri.umn.edu/files/styles/article_lists/public/2023-04/meagan_aliff-lab.jpg?itok=mped9JXZ)
A winding path leads aquatic scientist to study water’s tiniest inhabitants
![Scientists kneel and use water sampling equpment next to a small hole in lake ice.](/sites/nrri.umn.edu/files/styles/article_lists/public/2023-03/wintersampling2023.jpg?itok=p16xcgYO)
For 30-plus years, the Central Analytical Lab has informed research and agency monitoring programs with the highest standards of quality.
![Two people standing on rocky outcrop next to Lake Superior collecting water.](/sites/nrri.umn.edu/files/styles/article_lists/public/2023-02/sampling_lake_superior_for_road_salt_-_2.jpg?itok=Pxz4eRUB)
NRRI completes field study of environmental impact of road salt alternative, starts lab study of grit alternatives.
![Kari Pierce holding fish A woman stands near water holding a fish.](/sites/nrri.umn.edu/files/styles/article_lists/public/2022-11/karip-fish.jpeg?itok=wDO0quw_)
Love of outdoors keeps field work at the core of research technician’s role.
Media Coverage
- – UMD researchers tackle how to remove invasive species inside boats – Duluth News Tribune
- – Green Visions: St. Louis River Estuary Algal Blooms – WDSE The North Radio
- – Study: Wildfire led to poorer water quality in northern Minnesota lakes – MPR News
- – New study reveals Greenwood fire’s impact on nearby lakes – Northern News Now
- – How does a forest wildfire affect water quality? – Quetico Superior Wilderness News
- – Researchers study water quality impacts following 2021 Greenwood Fire – WTIP
- – Wildfires contribute to nutrient-rich, murky water in lakes – University of Minnesota Research Brief
- – Wildfires contribute to nutrient-rich, murky water in lakes – Phys Org
- – ‘Rock snot’ continues to threaten biodiversity in many North Shore rivers and streams – WTIP
- – Wetlands were everywhere on the Great Lakes, how one project is helping save them – Milwaukee Journal Sentinal
- – Researchers in Duluth turn streams purple to help measure effectiveness of restoration – MPR News
- – Researchers studying restoration at Mission Creek using new dye technique – WDIO
- – St. Louis River water quality project launched by NRRI, others – Hometown Focus
- – New Grant To Increase Water Quality Monitoring in St. Louis River Estuary – Fox 21 Local News
- – Northern Minnesota researchers close in on sulfate pollution solution – MPR News
- – What is Blue-Green Algae? A Conversation with Dr. Chris Filstrup from NRRI – KAXE radio
- – UMD scientists study phytoplankton, the base of Great Lakes food chain – Duluth News Tribune
- – Duluth-based scientists get $3 million grant to study Great Lakes' phytoplankton – Star Tribune
- – Scientists get grant to monitor bottom of Great Lakes food chain – WDIO
- – Damming research: Study finds beavers might not be all bad for trout streams – Duluth News Tribune
- – Scientists using DNA to track invasive species – Duluth News Tribune