IWRRI staff at the 2026 DEQ water quality conference.

Introducing New IWRRI Staff

Grace is a watershed scientist passionate about addressing water availability challenges through collaborative research to inform watershed management and decision-making. Grace earned a Ph.D. in Water Resources at the University of Idaho in December 2025, where her research focused on understanding how Idaho’s headwater systems are responding to climate change and disturbance, with particular emphasis on the intersection of groundwater, snowmelt, and wildfire. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geography and GIS from Western Washington University and has extensive…

Kuna TCP students sample for macroinvertebrates along the Boise River at Barber Park.

Youth Water Summit Expands to Southern Idaho, Inspiring the Next Generation of Water Leaders

Boise State student uses high school project to inspire a career path, showing the lasting impact of hands-on science education Coeur d’Alene, Idaho — Presenting to North Idaho community members during the Youth Water Summit as a Lake City high school junior in the spring of 2021, shaped the course of Lucy Mendez’s future. Today, as an environmental science undergraduate at Boise State University, Lucy is drawing on what she learned about Coeur d’Alene Lake to explore real-world water solutions,…

Green fields surrounded by brown hills in the Snake River Valley near Hargerman Idaho

IWRRI funds strategic Idaho water research projects

IWRRI funds strategic Idaho water research projects BOISE, Idaho — Jan. 08, 2026 — The Idaho Water Resources Research Institute (IWRRI) has prioritized and is backing several research projects involving the state’s three public research universities to address Idaho’s pressing water challenges. Established in 1964, IWRRI is one of 54 U.S. water research and technology centers, conducting and directing research to support the water resource needs of the state and entire Northwestern U.S. In fall 2025, IWRRI allocated more than $580,000 for eight faculty-led research projects proposed by scientists…

IWRRI CdA Staff

OUR GEM: Water Research Updates in Idaho

By Meg Wolf, Assistant Director for the Idaho Water Resources Research Institute The Idaho Water Resources Research Institute (IWRRI) has been busy this summer engaging with water users, water scientists, and water managers across the state. IWRRI is one of the nation’s 54 water research and technology centers. In this role, IWRRI conducts and directs research to support the water resource needs of Idaho, the Northwest region, and the nation. IWRRI also plays a role in facilitating, participating in, and…

2025 recipients of the Joseph Jordan IWRRI Student Research Fellowship

2025 recipients of the Joseph Jordan IWRRI Student Research Fellowship

The Idaho Water Resources Research Institute is proud to announce the 2025 recipients of the Joseph Jordan IWRRI Student Research Fellowship, Dinesh Gulati and Turker Anlaroglu. 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. This year, both students contributed to a WaterSMART-funded project in collaboration with the…

University of Idaho and North Idaho College Team Up to Celebrate Youth Scientific Leaders

University of Idaho and North Idaho College Team Up to Celebrate Youth Scientific Leaders

The University of Idaho Coeur d’Alene’s Idaho Water Resources Research Institute (IWRRI) partnered with North Idaho College (NIC) to celebrate the winners of the 2025 Youth Water Summit. This annual event empowers high school students to investigate and address real-world water issues in their communities through hands-on research, innovation, and public presentation.

Idaho Legislature Allocates $1Million to IWRRI

Idaho Legislature Allocates $1Million to IWRRI

The Idaho Legislature has allocated $1 million in funding to the Idaho Water Resources Research Institute (IWRRI) to prioritize water research among all of Idaho’s public institutions of higher education. The newly formed IWRRI Executive Board will direct the use of these funds, consistent with the institute’s research priorities to encourage rigorous, actionable water research.   This funding will launch IWRRI into a new phase of fostering connections across the water community to facilitate research on Idaho’s most pressing water topics….