About the Center

The Vermont Water Resources and Lake Studies Center (also known as the Vermont Water Center, or VWRLSC) at the University of Vermont's Rubenstein School is one of 54 institutes established by Congress through the Water Resources Research Act of 1964 and located at the land-grant university in each state, the District of Columbia, and three U.S. territories.

The mission of the Vermont Water Center is to fund research on major water resource issues of concern to the state, to disseminate results from that research, and to help educate students about the nature and value of water resources.

Recent research efforts have focused on impacts of storms on phytoplankton community dynamics, cyanobacteria bloom impacts on fish, and hydraulic modeling to support Vermont's Functioning Floodplain initiative. Early Water Center programs included USDA Soil Conservation Service funded projects of more than ten years duration on issues related to agricultural water quality and best management practices.

The National Institutes for Water Resources seek to build an inclusive community through research, education, outreach, and training that is strengthened by the diversity of scientists and members of society to achieve the mission set forth in the Water Resources Research Act. At the Vermont Water Center, we commit to diversity and inclusion.

  • Research Initiatives: We cultivate an inclusive work environment that empowers and engages researchers, students, staff, and communities.
  • Research Priorities: We encourage proposals led by diverse, early-career faculty and emphasize training of students from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and education. We prioritize funding to support worthy projects that foster the entry of new research scientistis, engineers, and technicians into water resource fields.
  • Training and Outreach Opportunities: We ensure outreach efforts are inclusive and focus on diverse populations

See an overview of the Vermont Water Center and its Research Program (PDF)

The Vermont Water Resources and Lake Studies Center is a member of the National Institutes for Water Resources (NIWR) and is partially supported by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The Vermont Water Center collaborates with other university-run, federally funded research programs.  See  the Lake Champlain Sea Grant and Related Programs Pictorial Summary.