Center for Applied Research and Decision Support
The Center for Applied Research and Decision Support (CARDS), is a catalyst to assemble teams of scientists from academia, government agencies, non-profit organizations and the private sector to address specific research topics. CARDS also serves as a neutral third party, providing decision support to effectively and efficiently address water and natural resource problems.
Geospatial Data and Analysis
IWI works to develop and demonstrate functioning frameworks for key components of the geospatial data puzzle. We deploy consumer-facing web applications that model and communicate flood risk, drought risk, water management, resource management, and ecological risk.
IWI MAP PORTAL
Access, display, and create maps of available geospatial data in the Red River of the North Basin (U.S.). The portal is fueled by the Red River Basin Mapping Initiative described below.
ACCESS PORTALRED RIVER BASIN MAPPING INITIATIVE
First completed in 2009, the $5.0 million Red River Basin (U.S.) project collected and processed ~52,000 square miles of high-resolution Light Detecting and Ranging Data (LiDAR). In 2023 a second collection of LiDAR was completed. Fidelity of the data was 16x more detailed than in 2009. Data products derived from this latest acquisition are close to being completed.
MN ELEVATION DATAND ELEVATION DATAUnderstanding the Amount and Quality of Water
IWI is working to describe and characterize how Best Management Practices (BMPs) reduce sediment and nutrient loads downstream; how farming methods affect the amount and quality of surface water runoff; how reservoirs and impoundments alter the movement and retention of sediment and nutrients in a watershed; and long term trends in the quality and amount of surface water runoff.
BRANDT IMPOUNDMENT LOAD STUDY
In 2018, IWI monitored the nutrient and sediment loads entering and leaving the Brandt Impoundment during the spring snowmelt with the intention to provide guidance on compliance with the 1998 Mediation Agreement.
BRANDT REPORTFLOOD DAMAGE REDUCTION
A collection of geospatial story maps created to disseminate information on Flood Damage Reduction Projects within the Red River Basin.
Basin Technical and Scientific Advisory Committee
In 2014, IWI established a Basin Technical and Scientific Advisory Committee (BTSAC) with the goal of understanding the impacts of subsurface drainage systems on Watershed and Basin hydrology.
BTSAC BriefingsResource Management Investment Decision Support
IWI develops methods and techniques to address complex water and natural resource problems to support local communities and individuals as they make efficient and equitable natural resource management decisions.
The cost to achieve water quality goals is an essential piece of information necessary for assessing the value of expected societal benefits. This research paper establishes multiple Life Cycle Costs (2020) for 23 agricultural conservation practices.
A COMMON FRAMEWORK FOR BENEFIT-COST ANALYSIS
Benefit-cost analysis (BCA) guidance for small watershed projects being planned and underway as part of the Natural Resource Conservations Service (NRCS) Red River Basin Regional Conservation Planning Partnership.
FRAMEWORKACHIEVING PUBLIC EXPECTATIONS FOR WATER QUALITY
Achieving the Public’s Expectations for Water Quality in Minnesota: A Deliberate Approach Based on Practical and Achievable Water Quality Goals.
PRESENTATIONEffective Nonpoint Source Solutions
Any voluntary approach for managing surface water runoff from diffuse sources (nonpoint) requires acceptance by those who own and use the land. IWI is working with farmers and public and private partners to develop new technology, data and information, water management strategies, conservation market opportunities, and implementation frameworks for managing nonpoint source runoff to improve water quality, reduce flooding and enhance natural resources.
PRIORITIZE, TARGET AND MEASURE APPLICATION
An online tool to estimate location, benefits, and costs of conservation and best management practices.
PTMAPP – NDPTMAPP – MNSTEWARDSHIP PROGRAM
The IWI Stewardship Program helps farmers model and compare different field operations in order to maximize yields and retain water, soil and nutrients on their fields.
STEWARDSHIP PROGRAMBuilding Science Capacity and Critical Reasoning Skills in Communities
Decisions that have the greatest impact on water and natural resources are made locally by lay-people serving in public office and on citizen advisory boards. IWI is among today’s and tomorrow’s leaders, developing and documenting novel approaches and curricula to build science capacity and the critical reasoning skills needed to address the complex water and natural resource problems.