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.
Water Research in the News
Find more Water Research News at Utah State Today.
Utah State Today | October 21, 2025
The Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water and Air at Utah State University has announced a $100,000 partnership with The Nature Conservancy. This investment will support the institute’s mission in finding science-based solutions for Utah’s most pressing environmental challenges.
Utah State Today | October 16, 2025
Utah State University’s Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water and Air released its annual Report to the Governor and Legislature on Thursday, offering a collaborative and expert look at some of the state’s pressing issues related to land, water and air.
Researchers at Utah State University just completed a joint study with the Utah Division of Water Rights to better understand surface water movement and measurement near Great Salt Lake.
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.