SAFL Featured Stories
Tracking changes to global snowfall patterns in a warming world
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One of the anticipated impacts of global warming is the change in amount and distribution of snow across the globe. Using multi-satellite and reanalysis data, researchers at the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory (SAFL), University of Minnesota and the National Center for Atmospheric Research are analyzing how global snowfall patterns have changed over the past 40 years.
A buried waterfall on a backwards Mississippi River
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Today the Mississippi River flows gently from its headwaters in Minnesota toward the Gulf of Mexico, but this was not always the case. New research, published in Science Advances, documents how continental glaciers and movements of the Earth's surface worked in tandem to reshape the upper Midwest and create the modern Mississippi River and its valley.
New stormwater seminar series launches at the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory
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The St. Anthony Falls Laboratory (SAFL), in partnership with the University of Minnesota’s Water Resources Center, has launched a new seminar series designed to bring national experts on stormwater management and green infrastructure to Minnesota. Called the Minnesota Stormwater Seminar Series, the monthly program aims to connect researchers and practitioners from across Minnesota to promote dialogue and discussion around a variety of stormwater and green infrastructure topics.
SAFL atmospheric research groups gear up for winter projects
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As snowflakes start to swirl outside this Minnesota winter season, several SAFL research groups are getting ready to take advantage of the weather to help advance fundamental atmospheric research.
Michele Guala named Associate Director of Research
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Michele Guala appointed as new SAFL Associate Director of Research
SAFL celebrates 50 years of the Lorenz G. Straub award
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On Monday, October 22nd, SAFL was honored to celebrate 50 years of the Lorenz G. Straub award. Established by friends, family, and colleagues of SAFL founder and first director Lorenz Straub, the award looks to identify the most meritorious thesis of a calendar year in hydraulic engineering, ecohydrology, geophysical fluid dynamics, or related fields. The competition is international, and nominations may be made by any recognized civil and environmental engineering program in the world.
Tracking the fate of road salt in watersheds
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A common Minnesota winter scene involves seeing a truck distribute road salt on icy roadways. But what happens to the chloride from the salt after the ice melts?
University of Minnesota study opens possibility for more environmentally sustainable energy production in rivers
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Hydrokinetic turbines are an emerging hydropower technology that takes advantage of moving water currents to generate power. Unlike traditional hydroelectric dams that require larger in-channel infrastructure that can disrupt flow and the river ecosystem, hydrokinetic turbines are placed directly in the river channel and have a much smaller environmental footprint.
Featured Project: Evaluating Impacts of Long, Dark Culverts on Topeka Shiner Passage
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Research at the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory (SAFL) is continually in flux - with over fifteen affiliated faculty and SAFL's talented applied engineering group, new projects and experiments are always coming in the door, utilizing our unique facilities, expertise, and/or experimental spaces. Learn more below about a project that investigates potential behavioral barriers to fish passage in culverts.
SAFL student awards help students shine
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The most recent edition of the UMN Legacy magazine features a SAFL photo spread showcasing one of our unique experimental spaces as well as several of our students who are the recipients of donor-driven fellowships and awards.