Map showing drought conditions in the western United States in 2020

Does Less Pollution Mean Less Precipitation?

IIHR researchers Wei Zhang and Gabriele Villarini (IIHR director) have published research linking urban sprawl to an increase in rainfall and flooding during Hurricane Harvey.
A student launches a model ship at the IIHR Wave Basin

Wave Basin Supports Research

IIHR’s new $4.9 million wave basin offers research engineers the opportunity to test captive or radio-controlled model-scale navy ships under a variety of real-life conditions. The free-moving models can maneuver just like real ships. The wave basin allows measurement of local flow around a free-running model—something that’s never been done before.