Logan - Water research at Utah State University has just moved one step closer to providing solutions for the Nation's water resources issues as Utah State's Research Foundation announces the organization of the Water Dynamics Laboratory.

"This comes at a critical time when water resources are becoming more limited," said Utah State President Kermit L. Hall.

The Water Dynamics Lab will use water research from the Utah Water Research Laboratory, and Utah State's department of civil and environmental engineering, the College of Agriculture, the College of Natural Resources and the College of Science to develop new products and services and solve water issues.

"This is an opportunity to develop another major unit within the Research Foundation that complements and strengthens Utah State's research activities," said Dave Norton, CEO of Utah State University's Research Foundation.

The new lab will offer university students employment opportunities where they can receive hands-on experience in their field of study.

"Increasing our activities in the areas of applied research and development will provide undergraduate and graduate students an opportunity to apply the concepts they have learned in class," said Scott Hinton, dean of the College of Engineering. "The Water Dynamics Laboratory will also give our faculty and staff an outlet for application of their research."

The Utah Water Research Laboratory, established in 1966, is already known internationally for its research and is the second largest center of its kind in the United States. Some of the current research performed at the Utah Water Research Laboratory includes drinking water treatment, wastewater management, water and irrigation engineering, erosion research, dam design and maintenance, fish passageways through dams, testing of pipes and spillways, and drought research.

"Research for better uses of water becomes especially critical when we are facing drought conditions," said Richard Peralta, the interim head of the Biological & Irrigation Engineering Department and the new director of the Water Dynamics Laboratory. "Coming up with accurate ways to manage water for drinking, irrigation and waste are the types of services that the Water Dynamics Laboratory will provide to the nation."

The Water Dynamics Laboratory will mirror the organizational structure of the Research Foundation's Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL). The not-for-profit Water Dynamics Laboratory will receive no state or university funds. It will operate solely through the procurement of governmental and commercial contracts. Revenues for the new laboratory are projected to grow to $10 million within three years.

"We foresee the Water Dynamics Laboratory creating a good number of jobs in Cache Valley," said Norton. "It will eventually operate like SDL, where a portion of the revenues earned will be given to the Utah State University to fund more research."

The Water Dynamics Laboratory will begin operation March 15. It shares the Utah Water Research Laboratory's 50,000 square foot facility located on the Logan River.

"We are taking control of our own destiny, getting a chance to get our research out and apply it," said Hinton. "Utah State, the Utah Water Research Laboratory and the new Water Dynamics Laboratory will be known for making a difference."