Waterfall by Philip Darden

Welcome to the Auburn University Water Resources Center

The Auburn University Water Resources Center serves academics, citizens, and agencies working in water resources.

We are a small team committed to big improvements in Alabama’s water resources through Instruction, Research, and Extension.

We support active water stewardship, research, and collaboration at Auburn University and with our partners across the state. We believe that we accomplish more by working together.   

In 2008, the U.S. EPA designated Auburn University as a Center of Excellence for Watershed Management, enhancing Auburn’s efforts to address water quality and availability issues in Alabama and the region.

What We Do

  • We provide numerous educational programs that help educate people about water monitoring, private wells, drought, green infrastructure, watershed planning, irrigation, and water stewardship.  
  • Each year we host the Alabama Water Resources Conference, the premier water resources conference in the state, welcoming over 300 people annually.
  • We provide roughly $100k in funding each year for water-related research via the Alabama Water Resources Research Institute 
  • We host various socials, newsletters, and educational events to connect faculty, staff, and students. 
  • We foster interdisciplinary work and research by connecting agencies, and building collaborative capacity. 

Why We Do It

We believe that rising tides lift all ships and that we accomplish more by working together.

Water issues are complex by nature, and no single agency, researcher, or educator can address these challenges by working alone.

By providing platforms and projects for conversation and collaboration, we hope to better address the complex water issues that are of importance to this water-rich, biodiverse state.  

Latest News from the WRC Blog

Meet Dr. Ann Ojeda

Meet Dr. Ann Ojeda

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, AU COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS, DEPARTMENT OF GEOSCIENCES Tell us about your background and current position.  I am an Arkansas native and grew up in a family that valued discovery, adventure, and the outdoors. We camped, hiked, made mud...

Managing Water Well: Collaborations Across State Lines

Managing Water Well: Collaborations Across State Lines

Jessie Curl (APWP Program Coordinator) connects with Drs. Gary Hawkins, Alexis Hamilton, Camila Rodrigues, and Laurel Dunn at an instructional design summit in New Mexico.  Jessie jumped into 2025 with a trip to New Mexico! AUWRC Staff member Jessie Curl traveled with...

Meet Steven Mai

Meet Steven Mai

WE SAT DOWN WITH STEVEN MAI, AN UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT IN THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT OF CROP, SOIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES Growing up, Steven Mai always knew he wanted to help people. Learning about food and water insecurity in school, combined with a...