Looking up at a hydrostion against a clear blue sky

How federal layoffs and funding freezes could impact weather forecasts and flood preparation

A federal hiring freeze and layoffs at the National Weather Service are impacting the accuracy of forecasts and long-range outlooks. IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering Director Larry Weber shares how tens of millions of dollars in federal grants and contracts that were headed to the University of Iowa-housed laboratory have been put on hold.

18 staff members honored with 2025 Staff Council Awards

Eighteen University of Iowa staff members were honored with this year’s Staff Council Awards for achievements ranging from excellence in service to accomplishments that significantly benefited the university. Read more about each award and this year’s winners.

New UI patent transforms water-level measurement

A new patent developed at the University of Iowa’s Hydroinformatics Lab promises to transform how water levels are measured, offering a reliable and affordable solution for communities worldwide. The invention by Ibrahim Demir, the director of Hydroinformatics Lab, and Yusuf Sermet, associate research professor, combines cameras and standard sensors to compute liquid surface elevations of streams, rivers, and reservoirs.

Robotics Teams Dive into Ship Design at IIHR

Robotics programs continue to gain momentum in schools and communities, providing students with opportunities to explore STEM fields early on. It’s important to have the right tools, mentors, and hands-on experiences to spark curiosity and keep the enthusiasm alive.
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Study: Wartime breach of Ukrainian dam triggers ‘toxic time-bomb’

George Constantinescu, civil and environmental engineering professor and IIHR faculty researcher, is part of a new study that investigates the environmental impacts of the Kakhovka Dam destruction in Ukraine targeted by warfare efforts using water as a weapon.
Still mirrorlike reflection on river water of the Stanley Hydraulics Lab and UI Power Plant

Spring flood risks remain low, despite Friday’s storm

Similar to its prediction made earlier this month, the Nation Weather Service’s Quad Cities bureau is anticipating below normal spring flood risks. Tim Gross, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said the risk for severe flooding on the Mississippi River this spring is currently 5 to 10 percent.
Water flows through a massive, warehouse-sized model of a portion of the London sewer system

University of Iowa program housing Iowa Flood Center reports $35M on hold from feds

As part of sweeping cuts across a broad swath of U.S. departments and agencies, $35 million in federal grants and contracts headed to the University of Iowa’s 105-year-old IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering center have been placed on hold.
Larry Weber speaks with an interviewer from Capital Dispatch at the IFC Legislative Breakfast

Iowa Flood Center, geological survey see federal funding cuts hit programs

Amid an uncertain situation surrounding federal funding, representatives from the Iowa Flood Center and Iowa Geological Survey mingled with Iowa lawmakers Tuesday to make their case for increasing state allocations.
IIHR graduate Logan Mahoney
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Modeling the Cedar River Watershed for Data-Informed Land Use Decisions

Logan Mahoney graduated this December with a master's degree in civil and environmental engineering (CEE) and has secured a position as a Graduate Water Resources Engineer at ISG, a respected engineering consulting firm in her home state of…
Corn plants stretching as far as you can see on the left, and soybeans going just as far on the right

How Relay Crops Reduce Floods And Boost Farm Profits

Flooding and water quality degradation are significant challenges in Iowa's agricultural watersheds, driven by intensive farming practices and increasingly extreme weather events. Relay cropping, a regenerative farming practice, offers a solution by keeping soil covered and living roots in the ground year-round to reduce runoff and improve soil health.

Faculty Spotlight: Humberto Vergara

As a child growing up in Colombia, Humberto Vergara dreamed of becoming a scientist and an inventor. Now, remembering his boyhood ambition, he says, "I do feel like that dream came true."
Aerial view of flooded rural Iowa town

IIHR address every day community needs, changing climate

The Iowa Institute for Hydraulic Research’s work can be seen around the world, but its biggest impact is felt closer to home. What started as a small lab at the University of Iowa has grown into a leader in the world of hydroscience and a multidisciplinary hub that is recognized internationally. Its team of researchers and engineers are called upon for projects related to fluid mechanics, hydraulics, water, air and resource conservation.
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BlueGAP: Bridging Science, Art, and Community to Combat Nitrogen Pollution

In the traditionally hard science realms of conservation and ecology, opportunities for intersection with the arts and humanities are rare. However, BlueGAP (Blue Green Action Platform) is breaking down these boundaries and achieving remarkable success by embracing this unique fusion. 
Vanessa Robledo on the IIHR patio overlooking the Iowa River

Weather and Water: Improving Flash Flood Predictions

Vanessa Robledo, a second-year PhD student in civil and environmental engineering (CEE), is helping improve the Iowa Flood Center’s abilities to better forecast flash flood events. Building on her master's studies in meteorology from Medellin, Colombia, her research focuses on improving methods for predicting weather patterns to enhance flood forecasting.
A hydrostation stands out in a field

Lab to Land

owa researchers are working to solve some of our state’s most significant environmental challenges. That includes experts from the UI College of Engineering who are using a living laboratory to conduct innovative sustainability research and scientists who have deployed a vast network of climate sensors to prepare for the growing impact of extreme weather events.
Craig Just by the Dow City wastewater treatment facility
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Helping small towns meet wastewater needs, affordably

Craig Just at the University of Iowa has sought an affordable wastewater solution for small towns. Now, through Just’s research, partnerships, and persistence, a pilot system in Dow City appears poised to meet federal wastewater treatment…
Kohls and other researchers at the 1st Avenue test sites
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Enhancing Water Quality Through Stormwater Management

Stan Kohls, a third-year PhD candidate in civil and environmental engineering, is conducting an in-depth investigation into organic contaminants found in water systems. As a graduate research assistant at IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering…
Keith Schilling
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Geological Survey celebrates 10 years at the University of Iowa

Celebrating the IGS's accomplishments over the last 10 years and contributions to the state of Iowa.
Priscilla Williams
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Faculty Spotlight: Priscilla Williams

Meet one of IIHR's newest faculty researchers, Priscilla Williams!