Collaboration is central to water research at Utah State University, and the USU Water Initiative provides a forum for USU researchers to make a difference—together. The collegial interdisciplinary community of water scholars at USU engaged in water education, research and outreach includes academic departments, centers, and labs in six colleges.
Partners
USU departments and centers contributing to Water Research at USU, listed alphabetically:
Spring Runoff Conference
The USU Spring Runoff Conference is held annually to provide a forum for interdisciplinary sharing and exchange of ideas on water-related issues in Utah and the Intermountain Region extending to all aspects of water science, ecology, policy, engineering, and management. The 2025 Conference will be held on March 25-26th in Logan, Utah. Registration and abstract submission are NOW OPEN.
Water Research in the News
Find more Water Research News at Utah State Today.
Utah State Today | March 04, 2025
Operational application of research knowledge is critical for decision-making when it comes to flooding and water resources, but to get there, researchers must build bridges with government agencies and private entities to get research into the hands of those who operate our water management systems.
Utah State Today | February 26, 2025
They’re called “forever chemicals” — found in grease-resistant packaging like fast food wrappers and used in construction, cosmetics and clothing, as well as many other products. They’re difficult to detect, difficult to remove and persistent in the environment.
Working on a project funded by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, UWRL graduate student Homa Salehabadi developed a structured framework for assessing streamflow data to inform management options post-2026.
Mission & History
The USU Water Initiative provides an overarching umbrella for the activities of the water community aimed at fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and collegial sharing of ideas related to water across the departments and colleges of Utah State University. Water related seminars in a number of colleges and departments occur on a regular basis.
The USU Water Initiative emerged from a task force appointed by University President Kermit Hall in Fall 2002 charged with recommending ways to strengthen water programs at USU that take advantage of the diversity and breadth of water activities at USU. The task force initiated a number of collaborative activities that advanced water strengths at USU and persist in the research and education activities of Water Initiative Partners, and the Spring Runoff Conference.