Spring Runoff Conference Now Accepting Research Abstract Submissions

Utah State University and the Northern Utah Water Users are now accepting abstract submissions for poster presentations and breakout session speakers for the 2026 Spring Runoff Conference, scheduled for March 24-25.

The annual conference is a two-day interdisciplinary event that brings together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, students and community partners to explore current and emerging water challenges facing Northern Utah. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, USU President Brad Mortensen and multiple USU deans are expected to attend.

“Spring Runoff is a valuable opportunity to hear the latest research and insights from across Utah’s water community,” said Brian Steed, executive director of the Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water and Air. “The conference creates a space where research, policy and practice can inform one another in meaningful ways.”

The conference features invited speakers, student presentations and opportunities for networking and collaboration. Abstract submissions for poster presentations and breakout session speakers will be accepted through Feb. 20. Topics may highlight water-related science, management, engineering, ecosystems and governance.

Accepted poster presentations will be featured in a dedicated poster session held during the lunch hour on March 24. Breakout sessions showcasing short presentations on the latest key findings in water-related science will take place the afternoon of March 25.

“We encourage research from across disciplines,” said Clare Entwistle, assistant professor in the Department of Watershed Sciences at Utah State University. “This forum allows researchers to engage with colleagues beyond their field and explore how their work fits into the larger water picture in northern Utah.”

This year’s conference is organized in partnership with Cache Water District, USU Extension, the Utah Water Research Laboratory, USU Watershed Sciences, USU College of Arts and Sciences and the USU Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water and Air.

To submit an abstract or register, visit https://usu.edu/water/conference.

Registration for the Spring Runoff Conference is free but required and will remain open until March 23. Additional information about abstract submissions, conference programming and registration is available online.

About the Spring Runoff Conference

The Spring Runoff Conference is an annual gathering that fosters interdisciplinary exchange and collaboration on water-related research, policy and management. Hosted jointly by Utah State University and the Northern Utah Water Users, this event connects scientists, scholars, policymakers, students and practitioners to explore innovative approaches and solutions for resilient water systems. Registration for the conference is free but required and will remain open until March 23.