Idaho Water Resources Research Institute

Idaho Water Resources Research Institute - University Research Office

The Idaho Water Resources Research Institute (IWRRI) was established in 1963 by the University of Idaho Board of Regents. The following year, the Office of Water Resources Technology was established at the federal level in the Department of Interior that provided for a Water Resources Research Institute at every land grant university in the United States.

The Director of IWRRI, Outreach Coordinator, and Finance and Administration Officer is housed at the University of Idaho, Boise. IWRRI also has offices at the University of Idaho, Idaho Falls and the main campus in Moscow, Idaho.

The Idaho Water Resources Research Institute supports and directs water research for the state of Idaho and the region. IWRRI research results routinely lead to cutting-edge discoveries in such vital topics as water quality, water supply and water management. More importantly, these discoveries regularly lead to a greater understanding of our surroundings, offering sensible solutions toward maintaining a healthy balance between the economy and the environment.

Organizationally, IWRRI is administered by the University of Idaho, but works with faculty located at all of Idaho's universities to develop inter-institutional research teams to help analyze and solve Idaho's pressing water resources problems. IWRRI draws on this core of expertise within the Idaho university system to:

• Develop meaningful solutions for Idaho water problems through high quality basic and applied, interdisciplinary research;
• Provide high-quality natural resource education and educational support; and
• Transfer technologies and information developed from research activities collaboratively to agencies, organizations, and individuals involved in water use, management, and protection. These collaborations work to support the needs of academic peer groups, students, relevant business communities, federal, state and local agencies, the consulting community, and the Waters of the West initiative.

IWRRI activities also include periodic symposia that address a wide range of water-related research topics, including disciplinary studies (e.g. hydrology, hydrogeology, engineering, modeling, water economics, social science environmental policy, ecohydraulics, etc.) watershed and basin specific studies (e.g. Snake River drainage, Rathdrum Prairie, Palouse Basin, Lake Coeur d’Alene, Treasure Valley, etc.), as well as any studies that can help aid in understanding and managing Idaho’s most valuable resource.