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.
VWRLSC Mission
The VWRLSC advances Vermont's water resources management through research, workforce development, and information exchange to address water challenges, train future water professionals, and inform effective decision-making across the state.
How VWRLSC Works
The Vermont Water Resources and Lake Studies Center:
Facilitates and funds research on water resources issues critical to Vermont, including surface water and groundwater across the Lake Champlain, Connecticut River, Lake Memphremagog, and Hudson River drainage basins
Supports a statewide research community, with funding and educational opportunities open to students and faculty at all colleges and universities in Vermont
Shares knowledge and research findings with students, researchers, decision makers, and the public to support informed water resource management
Trains the future water workforce through student engagement in research and internships
Supports programs and initiatives aligned with Water Resources Research Act and National Institutes for Water Resources
Advisory Board
Work of the VWRLSC is guided by an Advisory Board, which offers input on priority research needs, selection of research projects, and other relevant matters. The advisory board is comprised of representatives of the following groups:
An organization focused on the Lake Champlain basin
An organization focused on the Connecticut River basin
The US Geological Survey
A Vermont state agency responsible for water management
The University of Vermont
Another Vermont college or university
In some years, the advisory board may be expanded to include representatives of additional relevant state or federal agencies, water-focused non-governmental organizations, and/or additional Vermont colleges or universities. Expansion of the advisory board is at the discretion of the Director. Membership on the advisory board is for a renewable 1-year term, commencing in the spring.
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.