The Utah Center for Water Resources Research (UCWRR)

Mission & Vision

Utah Center for Water Resources Research (UCWRR) is located at Utah State University (USU), the Land Grant University in Utah, and is managed by the Director and staff of the Utah Water Research Laboratory (UWRL) at USU. It is one of 54 state water institutes that were authorized by the Water Resources Research Act of 1964. Its mission is related to stewardship of water quantity and quality through collaboration with government and the private sector.

The UCWRR actively assists the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (UDEQ), the Utah department of Natural Resources (UDNR), the State Engineers Office, all 12 local health departments, and several large water management agencies and purveyors in the state with specific water resources problems.

The mission of the UCWRR is to foster scholarship that supports research and education within a university environment, and information transfer and service to external audiences. The research is directed at solving multimedia water-related problems of state, national, and international scopes. The UCWRR works with academic departments at universities in the state and with local, state, and federal water and resources management agencies in planning, conducting, and arranging for research and in generating, transmitting, applying, and preserving knowledge related to water quality and quantity issues and problems. An important goal of the research conducted at the Center is to provide for technically informed water-related policy that can be used to protect and improve human health and environmental assets in Utah.

The State of Utah was strongly committed to water resources research in Utah even before Congress approved the Water Resources Research Act of 1964 creating the state institutes and the Section 104 program. In 1959, the Utah legislature authorized the establishment of the Utah Water Research Laboratory (UWRL) at Utah State University (USU). Construction of physical facilities was completed in December 1964. The UWRL has one of the best hydraulics laboratories anywhere and a state-of-the-art environmental quality laboratory. In addition to the physical facilities, the State of Utah has provided a line item budget that is now approximately $3 million per year, including mineral lease funds, which are allocated by formula. These resources are used to leverage external funding, to invest directly in applied research directed at emerging water problems in Utah, and, in partnership with various state agencies and other universities, as match funding for the 104 and other federal programs.

The UWRL functions as a university cost center for administering research funding, which totals between $8 and $12 million annually. The UWRL Director also serves as director of the UCWRR and reports to the Dean of the College of Engineering.

The UCWRR administers the USGS Section 104 grant program in Utah. In the mid-1960s, Section 104 funds were a significant fraction of the total UCWRR funding, but today Section 104-b funds represent only a small fraction of the total annual funding managed by the Utah Water Research Laboratory. However, the objectives that have been established for the Utah program make it a valuable component of the overall UWRL program.

All USU faculty engaged in water resources education or research are considered associates of the Center. Approximately 25 full-time faculty hold joint appointments at the UWRL and various departments in the College of Engineering at USU. These, together with approximately 25 other full-time faculty in various academic departments, both within and outside the College of Engineering, form the core of UCWRR associates at USU. These faculty are supported by an outstanding cadre of approximately 40 professional and classified employees and 150 students. Collectively, these faculty, staff, and students span the range of water-related disciplines, from engineers and economists to chemists and agricultural specialists.

Coordination

Coordination activities can be divided into state, regional, and national.

• At the state level, we administer the Section 104 Program, publish reports that summarize all UCWRR research, co-sponsor the Utah Section AWRA Annual Meeting, and keep UCWRR Associates informed through various mailings. The Director and other personnel associated with the UCWRR meet on a very frequent basis with representatives of state and local water planning, management, and enforcement agencies (e.g., the Division of Water Rights, Division of Water Resources, the State Engineer, Division of Wildlife Resources, Division of Water Quality, Division of Drinking Water, Division of Homeland Security, Weber Water Conservancy District, Washington County Water conservancy District, the Sevier River Water Users Association, numerous large canal and irrigation companies, Bear River Commission, all of the public health boards in the state, etc.) Active communication is maintained with various Federal agencies in the state, including the USGS, the US Bureau of Reclamation, the Bureau of Land Management, the US Forest Service, and so forth. This strengthens the research identification process and opens opportunities for information transfer, outreach, and partnering with local, state, and Federal water agencies.
• At the national level, the UCWRR Director participates in the National Institutes for Water Resources (NIWR) Annual Meeting, and either the Director or the Associate Director attends the Annual Meeting of the Universities Council on Water Resources.

Research Program & Funding

The Utah Center for Water Resources Research is the Utah Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI) charged with administering and coordinating Utah funding authorized by the Water Resources Research Act Program (USGS 104 program)

The status, opportunities and priorities for this program are detailed in USGS Circular 1488 Donohue, M.J., Greene, E.A., and Lerner, D.T., 2021, "Water Resources Research Act Program—Current status, development opportunities, and priorities for 2020–30": U.S. Geological Curvey Circular 1488, 27p., https://doi.org/10.3133/cir1488.

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FY 2024 USGS 104(b) Annual Base Grants Request for Pre-proposals (RFPP)

Submissions for the 2024-25 funding cycle closed February 29, 2024.

The Utah Center for Water Resources Research (UCWRR) at the Utah Water Research Laboratory (UWRL) invites pre-proposals for the USGS 104b Water Resources Research Institute annual base grant program each year. Successful pre-proposals are included in the full USGS 104b proposal for the State of Utah.

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FY 2024 USGS 104(g) Competitive Grants Request for Proposals

The USGS has RFP’s open for the following three USGS 104 programs.

• Water Resources Research Act Program National Competitive Grants (USGS 104g) Maximum award $310,000, funding available $1,860,000). Collaboration with USGS staff is strongly encouraged.

• Water Resources Research Act Program Aquatic Invasive Species Competitive Grants (Maximum award $348,000, funding available $1,392,000)

• Water Resources Research Act Program Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Competitive Grants (Maximum award $310,000, funding available $2,790,000)

The deadline for all three is May 30, 2024. Any investigator at an institution of higher learning in the United States is eligible to apply for an award through a Water Research Institute or Center. The Utah Center for Water Resources Research (UCWRR) at the Utah Water Research Laboratory (UWRL) is the Utah Institute eligible for these awards. If you intend to submit a proposal, please contact Carri Richards (carri.richards@usu.edu) as soon as possible to coordinate and ensure the proposal is prepared and submitted by the deadline.

Additional information on this program is available at https://water.usgs.gov/wrri/index.php.

Current / Ongoing Projects

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Past Projects

2022

• Understanding Pollutant Mobilization at the Water-Shore Interface of a Drying Great Salt Lake (UT-2022-Young)—Utah State University; Sierra Young (UWRL/CEE)
• Quantifying the Effect of Potential Submerged Control Structures on Density-Driven Exchange Flows through the Breach of the Great Salt Lake (UT-2022-Crookston)—Utah State University; Brian Crookston (UWRL/CEE)
• Monitoring for Assessment of Cyanobacterial Hazards in Five Drinking Water Reservoirs in Utah (UT-2022-Stevens)—Utah State University; David Stevens (UWRL/CEE)
• Developing High-Resolution Seasonal Snow Forecasts for Utah's Watersheds (UT-2022-Zhang)—Utah State University; Wei Zhang (Plants, Soils, and Climate)

2021

• Real-time generation of aerial maps for immediate Utah water decision-making activities in urban, agriculture, and natural environments (UT-2021-Petruzza)—Utah State University; Steve Petruza (Computer Science)
• Quantifying the impact of reservoir sedimentation on water security in the Weber River watershed (UT-2021-Belmont)—Utah State University; Patrick Belmont (Watershed Sciences)
• Microplastic in the Logan River watershed (UT-2021-Moor)—Utah State University; Kyle Moor (UWRL/CEE)
• Public views on water strategies for protecting the Great Salt Lake and its wetlands (UT-2021-Endter-Wada)—Utah State University; Joanna Endter-wada (Environment & Society)

2020

• Leveraging LIDAR and Citizen-Science for Low-Cost, High-Resolution Snow-Depth Estimation (2020UT301B)—University of Utah; Carlos A. Oroza (CEE)
• Dynamic, Adaptive Management of the Colorado River to Enhance Water Supply and River Ecosystem Outcomes (2020UT303B)—Utah State University; David E. Rosenberg (UWRL/CEE) and John C. (Jack) Schmidt (Watershed Sciences)
• Obtaining Lidar Data to Support Research in the Logan River Watershed (2020UT304B)—Utah State University; Bethany T. Neilson (UWRL/CEE)
• Improving the Hydraulics of Urban Flooding (2020UT305B)—Utah State University; Zachary B. Sharp (UWRL/CEE)

2019

• Bathymetric surveying using sonar and drones for recurring data analysis (2019UT255B)—Brigham Young University, Rollin Hotchkiss & G.P. Williams (CEE)
• New design and analysis guidance regarding potential scour of hydraulic structures located in canals, rivers, dams, and levees (2019UT256B)—Utah State University, Brian Crookston (UWRL/CEE)
• Characterizing streamflow and temperature patterns to determine impacts of summer dewatering on the Blacksmith Fork River, (2019UT257B)—Utah State University, Belize Lane (UWRL/CEE), Bethany Neilson (UWRL/CEE)
• Use of sUAS for mapping wetland flow paths and consumptive use on the San Rafael River, Utah, (2019UT258B)—Utah State University, Alfonso Torres-Rua (UWRL/CEE), Ian Gowing (UWRL)

2018

• Improving representation of environmental objectives in systems models to inform integrated water management strategies, (2018UT209B) — Utah State University, Belize Lane (UWRL/CEE), David Rosenberg (UWRL/CEE)
• Mapping subsurface tile drainage systems with unmanned aerial vehicles, (2018UT210B) — Utah State University, Ruijie Zeng (UWRL/CEE), Niel Allen (UWRL/CEE)
• Understanding the variability of recharge and groundwater control on mountainous stream discharge in karrst environments, (2018UT208B) — Utah State University, Tianfang Xu (UWRL/CEE), Bethany Neilson (UWRL/CEE)

2017

• Mapping didymosphenia in the Logan River Drainange, (2017UT204B) — Utah State University, Janice Brahney (Watershed Sciences), Bethany Neilson (UWRL/CEE)
• Use of sUAS for mapping wetland flow paths and consumptive use on the San Rafael River, Utah, (2017UT205B) — Utah State University, Alfonso Torres-Rua (UWRL/CEE) & Leila Hassan-Esfahani (UWRL)

2016

• Researching optimal methods, (2016UT208S) Brigham Young University, Daniel Ames (CEE)
• Quantification of groundwater influences in high gradient Utah streams and rivers, (2016UT200B) — Utah State University, Bethany Neilson (UWRL/CEE)
• Water MAPS for promoting urban landscape water use efficiency, (2016UT203B) — Utah State University, Joanna Ender-Wada (Environment and Society), Roger Kjelgren (Plants, Soils, and Climate)
• Water Strategy Advisory Team: An assessment of the Envision Utah process to improve water management, (2016UT201B) — University of Utah, Daniel McCool (Political Science) , Marian Hubbard-Rice (Political Science)

2015

• Biofiltration of Utah municipal drinking water, (2015UT197B) — Utah State University, David K. Stevens (UWRL/CEE)
• Information systems for landscape water conservation, (2015UT196B) Utah State University, Kelly Kopp (Plants, Soils, and Climate) & David Stevens (UWRL/CEE)

2014

• Influence of groundwater/surface water interactions in high gradient mountain streams, (2014UT193B) Utah State University, Bethany Neilson (UWRL/CEE)
• Managing western irrigation systems in the face of urbanization, (2014UT195B)Utah State University, Douglas Jackson-Smith (Sociology)

2013

• Capturing aerial imagery on the San Rafael River, Utah, using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to monitor and assist in evaluating restoration efforts, (2013UT190B) Utah State University, Bethany Neilson (UWRL/CEE) & Ian Gowing (UWRL)
• Quantification of water quality improvements through the 900 S Oxbow Restoration and Stormwater BMP Renovation Project, (2013UT189B) Utah State University, Ryan Dupont (UWRL/CEE)

2012

• Performance of stormwater bioretention systems in Utah's climate and hydrologic conditions, (2012UT168B) University of Utah, Steve Burian (CEE) & Christine Pomeroy (CEE)
• UAV monitoring and assessment applications in municipal water and environmental management problems, (2012UT167B) Utah State University, David E. Rosenberg (UWRL)

2011

• Analyzing the Spread of Phragmites australis Over Short-Time Scales Using Spatial and Genetic Tools, (2011UT156B) Utah State University, Karin Kettenring (Watershed Sciences)

• Estimating crop water use with remote sensing: development of guidelines and specifications (USGS Award No G11AP20229) (2011UT 164S ) Utah State University, Mac McKee (UWRL), Christopher Neale (Irrigation Engineering), Hatim Geli (CEE)
• Reducing dangers of low head dams, (2011UT154B) Utah State University, Michael Johnson (UWRL/CEE)

2010

• Analyzing the spread of Phragmites australis over short time scales using spatial and genetic tools, (2010UT137B) Utah State Universtiy, Karin Kettenring (Watershed Sciences) & David Rosenberg (UWRL/CEE)
• Developing a priority system for managing sediment in smaller reservoirs,(2010UT146B) Brigham young University, Rollin Hotchkiss (CEE)
• Development of flood emergency response capabilities using UAVs, (2010UT141B) Utah State University, William Rahmeyer (UWRL/CEE)
• Drought index information system for NIDIS, (USGS Grant No. G10AP00039) (2010UT134S), Utah State University, David Tarboton (UWRL/CEE)

2009

• Drought Planning Including Carryover Surface Water Storage for a Utah Water Service Provider, (2009UT130B) Utah State University, David Rosenberg (UWRL/CEE)
• Increasing data accuracy, reliability, accessibility, and understanding to improve basin-wide water resources decision making, (2009UT130B) Utah State University, Blake Tullis (UWRL/CEE)

2008

• Basin-scale internal waves within the south arm of the Great Salt Lake, (2008UT106B) Utah State University, Robert Spall (UWRL/CEE)
• Drought index information system for NIDIS, (USGS Grant No. G10AP00039) (2010UT134S), Utah State University, David Tarboton (UWRL/CEE)
• Increasing data accuracy, reliability, accessibility, and understanding to improve basin-wide water resources decision making (2008UT103B) Utah State University, Blake Tullis (UWRL/CEE)
• Low-level outlet works air vent sizing requirement for small to medium size dams, (2008UT105B) Utah State University, Blake Tullis (UWRL/CEE)

2007

• Development and calibration of a hydrodynamic model for Utah Lake, (2007UT80B) Utah State University, Robert Spall (UWRL/CEE)
• Economic & Fiscal Impacts of the Groundwater Management - Beryl Enterprises, (2007UT83B) Utah State University, Mac McKee (UWRL/CEE)
• Two Zone Temperature and Solute Model Testing and Development in the Virgin River, (2007UT87B) Utah State Universtiy, Bethany Neilson (UWRL/CEE)

2006

• Evaluating water allocation strategies in the Virgin River basin for the protection andeEnhancement of native fish, (2006UT70B) Utah State University, Thomas Hardy (UWRL/CEE)
• Irrigation demand forecasting for management in large water systems, (2006UT69B) Utah State University, Mac McKee (UWRL/CEE)
• Potential impacts of flow augmentation on stream restoration projects, (2006UT72B) Brigham young Universtiy, Rollin Hotchkiss (CEE)

2005

• The integration of multispectral imaging and LIDAR to evaluate the geomorphic changes associated with a levy setback along the Puyallup River, WA, (2005UT79S) Utah State University, Christopher M.U. Neale (CEE), Robert W. Black (USGS), Christopher P. Konrad (U. of Wuertzburg)
• Alternative Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems for Utah Conditions, (2004UT44B) Utah State Universtiy, Judy Sims (UWRL/CEE)
• Data fusion for improved management of large western water systems, 2004UT46B) Utah State University, Mac McKee (UWRL/CEE)

2004

• Alternative Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems for Utah Conditions, (2004UT44B) Utah State Universtiy, Judy Sims (UWRL/CEE)
• Data fusion for improved management of large western water systems, 2004UT46B) Utah State University, Mac McKee (UWRL/CEE)

2003

• Source Water Protection Assessment Tools Development, (2003UT29B) Utah State University, Ronald Sims (UWRL/BIE)

2002

• Source water protection assessment tools development, (2002UT1B) Utah State University, Ronald Sims (UWRL/BIE)

2001

• Source water protection assessment tool development
• Development of a GIS-based approach for better Utah statewide water use estimation, Salt Lake County

2000

• Source water protection assessment tool development
• Hydraulic characteristics of plunge pools used for downstream bypasses migratory fish

2000

• Source water protection assessment tool development

1999

• Source water protection assessment tool development

1998

• Reverse flow tubes in fish passage structures

1995

• Assessing aquifer heterogeneity and groundwater contamination potential: Data, methods, and Utah applications
• Vegetationl-assisted remediation of metal-contaminated soils for the protection of public health

1994

• Consumptive use of municipal water supply
• Optimizing water rights and transfer strategies, pollutant loadings, and conjunctive management of aquifer systems

1993

• Analysis of sediment-storage changes on the Green River and relation to the operations of Flaming Gorge
• Geochemical reactions important for characterization and treatement of PCP-contaminated aquifers

1992

• Decision-support system for optimal remediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated aquifers
• Studies on the beneficial effects of vegetation in contaminated soils

1991

• Pesticide sorption to groundwater aquifer materials: The role of chemical structure and sorbent properties
• Modeling and field verification of soil vacuum extraction/enhanced bioremediation of fuel contaminated soils
• Economic incentives for managing groundwater pollution in Salt Lake County
• Estimation of the space and time variability of non-point source groundwater contamination

1990

• Evaluation of hydraulic interconnections in heterogeneous multi-aquifer systems

1989

• A remote sensing and computer modeling technique for estimating temporally and spatially dependent subsurface watershed soil-moisture conditions
• Anaerobic biotransformation and fate of heterogeneous pollutants in groundwater
• Dynamic analysis of hydrologic systems in teh closed basins of western Utah

1986

• Soil moisture flux in stabilized vesicular horizons
• The use of structure-activity relationships as an aid in modeling the subsurface transport of organic contaminants

1985

• Protection of groundwater by immobilization of hazardous metals associated with industrial wastes in land systems
• A comprehensive study of water cycling in the Great Salt Lake basin: Hydrometeorology of the West Desert region 
• A conceptual model of the hydrogeology of closed desert basins
• Toxicity and environmental health hazards of petroleum products in wells used for drinking water in the Intermountain West

1984

• Remote control of hydrometeoroligical devices

1983

• Field evaluation of groundwater salinity buildup from irrigation of saline alluvium

1976-1986

• Modeling relationships of salt transport from irrigation and weathering of underlying sediments: Price RIver basin
• Development of a comprehensive Upper Colorado River Basin model for analysing energy development impacts
• Comparison of direct filtration and conventional water treatment systems to remove pollutants from source waters
• Overcoming problems of small private water companies in maintaining safe, dependable, and cost-effective drinking water service
• Real-time control and data acquisition systems for remotely located hydrometeorological devices and sensors

1964-1973

• Analysis of small water management structures
• Design and calibration of submerged open channel flow measurement structures
• Subcritical flow at open channel structures
• Detection of magnetic fields caused by groundwater
• Hydrologic Atlas of Utah
• Measurement of soil moisture by attenuation of radio frequency waves
• Regional analysis of runoff characteristics for small urban watersheds
• Application of an electronic analog computer to the simulation of the total hydrologic-economic flow system
• Application of an electronic analog computer to the evaluation of the effects of urbanization on the runoff characteristics of small watersheds
• Computer simulation of urban hydroligic systems
• Development of a simulation model for the Bear River basin
• Hybrid computer simulation as applied to the management of water salinity within a hydrologic system
• Hybrid computer simulation of the hgydrologic flow system within the Bear River Baisn
• Modeling the total hydrologic-sociologic flow system
• Application of elecronic analog device to solution of hydrologic and river-basin planning problems
• Application of operations research techniques for allocation of Colorado River waters in Utah
• Development of techniques for estimating the benefits of water resources development in achieving national and regional social goals
• Evaluating water reuse alternatives in water resource planning
• Evaluation of flood risk factors in the design of storm drainage systems for urban areas
• Study of alternative methods to modernize water institutions and eliminate problems of multiple jurisdictions and conflicting objectives
• Study of the effectiveness of water resources planning groups
• Study of water institutions in Utah and their influence on the planning, development, and managing of water resources
• Biological effects on teh interchange of metals and of nutrients between sediments and water
• Effects of water temperature increases on toxicity of waste discharges
• Intermittent sand filtration to upgrade existing wastewater treatment facilities

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