A new research program is bringing three distinct projects to working landscapes across the Southeast, from aquifer modeling to on-farm rivercane restoration to mapping underground root systems to advance the science of natural erosion control and watershed protection.
In 1827, the location of The University of Alabama was influenced by the presence of a critical water resource called Marr’s Spring. Nearly 200 years later, the University is at the center of water research advancing science, technology and policy to create a more secure and sustainable water future for the nation and the world.
Colton Byrne has been named a 2026-2027 Goldwater Scholar for his first-of-its-kind research on seafloor sediments near Thwaites Glacier, work that is helping scientists better understand Antarctic glacial recession and sea-level rise. Byrne conducted the research under Dr. Rebecca Totten, a CONSERVE Faculty Fellow and a Goldwater Scholar herself.
U.S. Geological Survey Director Dr. Ned Mamula visited The University of Alabama's campus in late April, touring the USGS Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility, NOAA's National Water Center and all three Alabama Water Institute research entities. The visit deepened a growing partnership and sparked new conversations about the future of the nation's critical water resources.
The University of Alabama earned top recognition in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities rankings, placing No. 13 nationally and No. 100 globally in Water Resources as UA continues expanding its impact in water research, forecasting and workforce development.
The earlier a student encounters water science, the more likely it is to take root. That idea drives the Alabama Water Institute’s commitment to reaching younger audiences, and it brought AWI to the McWane Science Center for Engineering Day 2026.
Alabama holds approximately 15% of all potable water in the United States, and it has a river delta so ecologically rich it is called “America's Amazon.” However, most Alabama schoolchildren are not aware of it.
MILLBROOK, Ala. — Protecting our vital waterways requires dedicated scientific research and strong regional collaboration. Watersheds are not confined to state and county lines. The health of our rivers depends on the collective effort of researchers, policymakers and local communities. A Gathering of Experts Alabama Water Institute’s CONSERVE Research Group, focused on nature-based watershed conservation,…
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Ekaterina Menkina, a University of Alabama anthropology student, had never touched professional filming equipment before. However, the Alabama Water Institute’s CONSERVE Research Group took a chance on her in 2024, handing over professional-grade camera equipment and trusting her to document ancient pictographs 800 miles from Tuscaloosa. “I saw the words ‘creative’ and ‘art,’…
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — A process that once required two full days of hands-on work by a researcher and graduate student now takes about an hour. The Alabama Water Institute’s Equipment Support Program recently helped fund a Thermo Scientific KingFisher Apex for its CONSERVE Future Ecologies lab. The state-of-the-art genomics platform automates the extraction of DNA, RNA and proteins…
