Automating and Informing Local Water Resource Management

Advancing Local Water Management Solutions

Water is the most vital of natural resources, critical for the survival of all living organisms. High-quality aquatic natural resources support economic prosperity, human health and infrastructure for water supply. However, climate-related changes, pollutants, invasive species and pathogens threaten many water systems that keep humans and ecosystems thriving. 

Effective water management is critical to face current and future demand challenges. In Minnesota, local government units are crucial in protecting and managing aquatic natural resources. However, limited funding and personnel challenge local management and monitoring of water resources.

Capitalizing on the University of Minnesota’s unique personnel, robotic resources and community partnership with the National Park Service, this multidisciplinary team developed and tested efficient and accurate ways to monitor and support local aquatic natural resources.

Outcomes

• Assessed managerial knowledge, attitudes and beliefs surrounding the adoption of robots in local aquatic resource management activities
• Created an artificially intelligent robotic mechanism to measure the physical, chemical and biological indicators related to aquatic resource management goals as a prototype
• Developed an online dashboard that allows end-users to visualize measurements guided by local needs

See their research featured in a KARE11 video.