Institute for Natural Systems Engineering

The Institute for Natural Systems Engineering (INSE), established at the UWRL in 1989, is a recognized leader in the development, testing, and application of multi-disciplinary assessment methods for aquatic ecosystems and instream flow assessment methodologies. Key research focus areas include:

• Using remote sensing and image processing techniques for the characterization of riparian and aquatic habitats in rivers
• Applying aerial photogrammetry and bottom profiling techniques for development of high resolution three-dimensional channel topographies
• Developing and testing two- and three-dimensional hydraulic simulation methods
• Developing and testing advanced habitat modeling techniques including individual-based mechanistic models of fish feeding, habitat associations, and growth

Virgin River 100-year Floodplain Contours

Benefits to the State of Utah

The INSE supports a wide range of water resource and environmental efforts throughout the State of Utah, including over two decades of technical support for the Virgin River Fishes Recovery Team and the Virgin River Resource Management and Recovery Program. This support includes:

• Conducting critical life history studies for endangered and threatened native fish species within the Virgin River basin
• Evaluating proposed water resource system infrastructure and operations
• Developing and maintaining the Virgin River Decision Support System and Integrated Virgin River Fishes Database
• Completing a basin-wide aquatic and riparian habitat assessment to support strategic watershed planning activities

The INSE collaborates with the Washington County Water Conservancy District, Utah Department of Wildlife Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service on the Virgin River studies. The INSE also maintains an active research program with governmental agencies throughout the United States and at the international level.

Endangered Woundfin Minnow, Plagopterus argentissimus