The Freshwater Society, in print and on this website, regularly publishes information on water, conservation and threats to water quality and sustainability. Those publications include:
FreshwaterSocietyBlog, a regular source of information about water and the environment. Each week, the blog publishes a digest of import regional, national and international articles and research on water and the environment. Scan the digest, then follow the links to read articles in the original sources — publications such as the New York Times, Scientific American, journals of all kinds and news releases from state and federal agencies — in their entirety.
Facets of Freshwater, a regular newsletter the society produces for members and interested citizens. An electronic archive of copies since 2004 is available.
Minnesota Weatherguide Environment Calendar, a calendar available in wall and desk format that the the Society has published for three decades. It offers weather records, phases of the moon, times for sunrise and sunset , plus phenology data on the response of living organisms to seasonal and climatic changes. We publish free curriculum guides for elementary-school teachers who use the calendars in their science classes. The calendar is available for sale as a fund-raising opportunity for nonprofit organizations.
Guide To Lake Protection and Management, a 27-page brochure published in cooperation with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The guide includes information on watersheds, the chemistry of lakes, exotic species, development of a lake management plan and best management practices for preserving water quality. Download a PDF of the guide. A limited number of copies are available in print. Order one from the Freshwater Society at $3 per copy, plus shipping costs. Call 952-471-9773.
Water is Life: Protecting A Critical Resource For Future Generations, a Freshwater Society report, published in 2008, on Minnesota’s ground and surface waters. The report, released Oct. 22, 2008, focuses on the sustainability of ground water and the pollution that contaminates many lakes and streams. The report was prepared by an advisory group, the Guardianship Council. A shorter Executive Summary of the report also is available.
Minnesota’s Groundwater: Is our use sustainable? A Freshwater Society special report on groundwater use, estimates of increased pumping over time, expert opinions on the sustainability of that pumping, and problems in the Department of Natural Resources’ enforcement of a law and rules requiring permits for high-capacity pumping. Published April 2013.
Groundwater Sustainability: Towards a Common Understanding. In November 2008 and May 2009, the University of Minnesota Water Resources Center and the Freshwater Society sponsored workshops on groundwater sustainability. Each workshop was attended by about 70 invited scientists, engineers and water planners. This report details the discussion at the two workshops, particularly the second. A separate document, “Guidance for Developing a Suitable Management Plan for Groundwater,” is attached as an appendix. The Guidance is intended for water scientists, planners and managers with the responsibility for defining management areas and for making decisions regarding how much groundwater they can — and should — pump, and how much they should leave untouched to support ecosystems and to protect groundwater from contamination.
Community Clean-Ups For Water Quality, a brochure describing a partnership between the Freshwater Society and Friends of the Minnesota Valley to promote citizen efforts to fight phosphorus pollution by cleaning leaves and other organic debris from streets and storm sewer grates. In 2010, the Friends of the Minnesota Valley won a Governor’s Award for Excellence in Pollution Prevention for the campaign.
Sustainability of Ground Water.pdf, a fact sheet on the Sustainability of Ground Water, published in October 2008 by the Freshwater Society. It includes a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources illustration of the hydrological cycle, plus data on Minnesota ground water use, by type.
Success Stories.pdf, a Freshwater Society fact sheet documenting successes in water conservation by a family, a business and the Minnesota Legislature. The family saved 78,000 gallons of water over three summer months, the business eventually may save 13 billion gallons over 20 years, and the Legislature took action in 1990 that now saves about 7 billion gallons a year.
What You Can Do.pdf, a Freshwater Society fact sheet listing tips for conserving water and links to other resources, such as the Metropolitan Council and the federal Environmental Protection Agency, that offer extensive lists of tips for saving and protecting ground water. The tips are applicable for individuals, businesses and communities.
Value of Water.pdf, a Freshwater Society fact sheet on the real value of water, as distinguished from the almost infinitesimal price we often pay for it.
Groundwater Quality.pdf, a Freshwater Society fact sheet about groundwater quality in Minnesota and the threats it faces.
Groundwater Quality Success Stories.pdf, a Freshwater Society fact sheet detailing what individuals and communities have done to protect groundwater.
Groundwater Quality: What You Can Do.pdf, a Freshwater Society fact sheet listing tips about protecting ground water for individuals, communities and businesses.
Groundwater Quality: Resource Materials.pdf, a Freshwater Society fact sheet listing web sites where additional information about protecting groundwater is available.
What You Can Do to Save Water and Have a Green Lawn, a fact sheet on conserving water in your lawn and garden.
Original Sources, a digest of electronic links to reports on water quality and the environment from researchers and regional, national and international agencies.
MN Weatherguide Calendar
