Join Itasca Waters and Minnesota Sea Grant (MNSG) in learning about how water quality is impacted by forest fires as part of the Itasca Water Wisdom online webinar series, co-sponsored by MNSG.
This webinar was rescheduled from October 2025.
Wildfires are becoming more frequent and severe worldwide, leading to significant physical and chemical changes in aquatic ecosystems within affected watersheds. These changes can impact both public water supplies and ecosystem health. In the U.S., research has mainly focused on the wildfire-prone West, where surface waters are a major source of drinking water. Despite growing knowledge, key gaps remain in understanding what drives water quality changes after wildfires. This presentation reviews the current science on post-wildfire water quality and offers recommendations for addressing these knowledge gaps.
Speaker
- Sarah Elliott, hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey Upper Midwest Water Science Center
- Sarah Elliott is a hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey Upper Midwest Water Science Center who leads and supports research on various topics. A majority of Elliott's research over the last decade has focused on topics related to the presence of contaminants of emerging concern in aquatic environments and ecological implications. Other areas of research include urban stormwater runoff and treatment, implications of geologically derived contaminants in groundwater, and effects of wildfire on water quality, including a focus on critical drivers of post-wildfire water quality.
- Sarah Elliott is a hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey Upper Midwest Water Science Center who leads and supports research on various topics. A majority of Elliott's research over the last decade has focused on topics related to the presence of contaminants of emerging concern in aquatic environments and ecological implications. Other areas of research include urban stormwater runoff and treatment, implications of geologically derived contaminants in groundwater, and effects of wildfire on water quality, including a focus on critical drivers of post-wildfire water quality.
Date
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Time
Noon to 1:00 p.m. CT
Registration
Registration is required to attend this free virtual event.
Event sponsors
Practical Water Wisdom: a Virtual Learning Series is presented by Itasca Waters with support from:
- Minnesota Sea Grant
- Itasca Soil and Water Conservation District
- Itasca Coalition of Lake Associations
- KAXE/KBXE
- Rapids Radio
- Grand Rapids Herald Review
Contact
John A. Downing, director, Minnesota Sea Grant.
Image credit: Mike Lewelling/NPS.