The Idaho Water Resources Research Institute is proud to announce the 2026 recipient of the Joseph Jordan IWRRI Student Research Fellowship, Savannah Domenech. Established by the family of Joseph Jordan, the fellowship provides financial assistance and hands-on experience to University of Idaho students pursuing careers in water resources management. Fellows work directly with agencies, Tribes, nonprofits, and industry partners to address real-world water challenges.
Savannah is working with a team whose research collaborates with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ) to use satellite images to track algal blooms across Idaho lakes and reservoirs so they can see when blooms start, where they spread, and how often they return. This matters because Idaho does not yet have a published statewide picture of these trends. Insights generated by this research will inform projections that provide value to recreational providers, water resource managers, public health groups, and community members.
The study uses detailed imagery that can spot smaller blooms that older, lower-resolution satellites may miss. Because the images are collected often, the research can also show how blooms change within a short span, which gives water managers a better tool for understanding bloom formation. Initial work will focus on assessing the presence of algal blooms in Lake Cascade, Lake Lowell, C.J. Strike Reservoir, Hayden Lake, Fernan Lake, and Round & Chatcolet Lakes (southern portion of Coeur d’Alene Lake).
Because many of these waters are within wildlife management areas and state parks, this work can also help protect the outdoor spaces and local economies Idaho communities rely on. It can guide when and where to increase monitoring where it’s needed most, help anticipate recreation impacts, support bloom advisory signage, and identify which waterbodies should be prioritized for management plans.
Savannah embodies the fellowship’s mission, advancing water resource management through applied collaborative research. Interested in becoming a Joseph Jordan Fellow? Look for announcements here next spring for summer funding opportunities.
If you are interested in contributing to support future Joseph Jordan Fellows, you can do so here.
