Center for Ecohydraulic Research

Center for Ecohydraulics Research (CER) - College of Engineering

A founding goal of the Center for Ecohydraulics Research (CER) is offering a recognized, high-quality program through interdisciplinary classes and innovative research, distinguished both by the scale of the research and by the scope of collaboration of faculty from Boise, Moscow and Idaho Falls with agencies, national and international research institutions, and other resources.

Students pursue graduate degrees in natural resources, environmental science, engineering or agricultural and life sciences. Collaborations with the water science program at Idaho State University and the water resources program at Boise State University will work to support the needs of agencies, the consulting community, and the Waters of the West Initiative.

Research activities range from fundamental to applied research and include the areas of hydrology, fluid mechanics, geomorphology, stream and floodplain ecology, river restoration, and water resource management. CER research is based on three investigative pillars:

• Laboratory studies – Attracting researchers from within and outside of Idaho through challenging, collaborative projects using state-of-the-art science instrumentation, computational facilities and the unique features of the stream laboratory.
• Field programs – Building the capacity to undertake specialized high-end field monitoring equipment and sensors as a value-added supplement to major agency programs, while providing students field experience performing research and working with the various agencies.
• Computer simulation, and data mining – employing deterministic process-based models, statistical models, and emerging computational methods – that capitalize on the explosion of new technologies for environmental sensors.
  

The findings from research efforts are disseminated to a variety of audiences, including academic peer groups, agencies, students, relevant business communities, and the public.