University of Minnesota Stormwater

What is Stormwater?

"Stormwater runoff is generated from rain and snowmelt events that flow over land or impervious surfaces, such as paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops, and does not soak into the ground. The runoff picks up pollutants like trash, chemicals, oils, and dirt/sediment that can harm our rivers, streams, lakes, and coastal waters. To protect these resources, communities, construction companies, industries, and others, use stormwater controls, known as best management practices (BMPs). These BMPs filter out pollutants and/or prevent pollution by controlling it at its source." (EPA)

Why is it Important?

Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, the University of Minnesota is one of largest landholders on the river from the headwaters at Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico. This means that stormwater runoff best management practices deployed on the Twin Cities campus can have a big impact! According to the Environmental Protection Agency, more than 50 communities rely on the Mississippi for daily water supply (NPS), including the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. Downstream communities rely on upstream communities to be good stewards of this critical shared resource.