Intelligent Water Systems

Technology and data are critically important in providing the information needed for effective water resources management. This research area includes the intelligent design, monitoring, and management of water systems for the multiple water supply, agricultural, ecosystem, and other purposes and uses for which water systems are operated to benefit society. Examples of research in this area include urban water demand management through smart water metering, design of smart or “intelligent” stormwater management systems, deployment of robotic systems for automated data and sample retrieval in natural environments, use of technology for advanced agricultural water management, along with applications of data and technology in reservoir management, drought management, river basin planning, and water management to enhance ecosystems. This research area also includes the broad area of Hydroinformatics, which includes the study, design, development, and deployment of data logging, sensing, and software systems for hydrologic and water resources data collection, distribution, interpretation, and analysis to aid in the understanding and management of water in the natural and built environment.

Intelligent Water Systems Emphasis Information

Laboratory Resources

Logan River Observatory

Researchers at the UWRL and USU have developed and deployed an ecohydrologic observatory in the Logan River Watershed to study water as it transitions from high elevation snow accumulation and melt, through the mountainous and forested areas of the watershed, and down to the urban population center of Cache Valley. The LRO network of monitoring sites measures aspects of climate, hydrology, and water quality along this mountain-to-urban gradient using state-of-the-art sensors at aquatic and terrestrial sites for real-time monitoring of common meteorological variables, snow accumulation and melt, soil moisture, surface water flow, and surface water quality.

LRO Data is used for research projects, classroom and public education, as well as policy discussions and decisions. 

Logan River Observatory

 

Faculty

Hydrology & Water Management Projects