
Alabama Water Resources Conference
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SYMPOSIUM & CONFERENCE OVERVIEW
The Annual Alabama Water Resources Conference is a forum for all participants of our water resources community, providing opportunities for conversation about the many multidisciplinary aspects of water resources, and making connections that will improve how we understand the complex water issues that are of importance to this state, the region, and the nation. The Conference Planning Committee encourages you to join in the dialogue.
To encourage this exchange, the conference includes oral and poster sessions (for submission instructions, see Participation below), plenary sessions, and networking opportunities. In addition to the broad array of topics on which we always encourage submission for the annual conference, we welcome individuals who wish to propose special sessions on themed tracks consisting of a core of invited presentations. If you are interested in organizing a special session, please contact a member of the organizing committee to discuss details.
The final conference program is determined by the content of the submitted and accepted abstracts. A list of potential topics is provided in the call for presentations to encourage conference participants to consider the full extent of multidisciplinary topics and information exchange; it is by no means all-inclusive. Interested persons are encouraged to prepare and submit abstracts of their work which addresses these or other relevant topics.
Please visit the Participation tab for information on the conference Call for Abstracts and Registration. Other pertinent tabs such as the Agenda and Keynote Speakers will be updated closer to the date of the annual conference. The organizing committee looks forward to seeing you in September.

Venue
Nestled on an island oasis where the pelicans perch, the blue herons stroll and sugar white sand and emerald waters are so captivating you won’t want to leave, Perdido Beach Resort awaits. Experience the family-friendly, personal service that makes the Perdido Beach Resort a luxury resort vacation destination right on the beach and a place where generations of families continue to return year after year. Situated directly on the Gulf of Mexico in Orange Beach, Alabama, Perdido Beach Resort is exclusively located near Alabama Point, locally known as “The Pass”, where the Intracoastal Waterway meets the deep waters of the Gulf, and boaters take voyage for their afternoon venture. Our beachside resort is near Gulf Shores, Alabama, a popular Gulf Coast locale.
Convenient to both Gulf Shores, Alabama and Pensacola, Florida, our Gulf Coast hotel features 346 luxurious guestrooms with private balconies, multiple restaurants, an indoor/outdoor pool, fitness center, tennis courts, and much more.
The Alabama Water Resources Conference PROMO CODE and Perdido Beach Resort contact information will be provided in your conference registration confirmation email.
The 2023 ALWRC group rates will be announced in Spring 2023.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
2023 Keynotes TBD
AGENDA
The conference agenda features presenters from a broad spectrum of water resources research, management and outreach backgrounds, as well as keynote speakers that are regionally/nationally know authorities in water resources.
A statewide committee composed of water resources agency, industry and academic leaders accept and review 75-100+ abstracts and compile 2 days of concurrent sessions covering the following topical areas: Aquatic Ecology/Biology, Coastal Issues including an entire session on Weeks Bay, Drought and Climate Issues, Ecological Flows, Flood Issues, GIS and Water Management, Groundwater Availability and Management, Modeling in Water Management, Restoration and Remediation, Stormwater Management, Water Policy and Law, Water Quality, Water Quantity, Water Resources Education and Stewardship, Water and Wastewater Systems Management, Watershed Management and Connecting Agencies, Industries and Stakeholders.
The conference is preceded by the annual symposium of the Alabama Section of the American Water Resources Association, established in 1987 to provide a common forum in which professionals in water resources and related areas can meet, network and exchange ideas pertaining to all aspects of water resources research and management.
PARTICIPATE
2023 ALWRC Registration Rates will be announced in Spring 2023.
ALL PRESENTERS
- ALL presenters must register and pay the appropriate conference registration fee.
- It is the responsibility of all presenters to check the draft agenda for accuracy of their abstract title, name, and affiliation.
- We ask all presenters upload their presentation files BEFORE the 2022 ALWRC, no later than September 1, 2023 via Box. *Lightning Talk presenters are required to upload their PowerPoint slides by September 1, 2023.
THE 2023 ALWRC PRESENTER GUIDELINES DOCUMENT WILL BE POSTED IN JUNE 2023.
STUDENT PRESENTERS
Students selected to present must provide proper student identification including a Full Time Status Confirmation Form (see directly below) with the signature of their major professor and a photocopy of the front side of their current student ID card. As part of the student competition, student’s oral and poster presentations will be rated by conference judges, and the top 3 presenters of each will be awarded following the conference. See more detailed student competition information below:
SPONSORS & EXHIBITORS
2023 ALWRC Sponsorship Details will be released in early 2023.
If you have questions about sponsorship or exhibitor space, contact Rachel McGuire (rem@auburn.edu; 334-844-1163)
THANK YOU TO OUR 2022 SPONSORS!
FAQ's
Abstracts
Q: When are abstract submissions due?
A: May 25, 2023 by 5pm CT
Q: What type of presentation categories does the ALWRC offer?
A: There are 3 presentation categories: the standard oral presentation (20 minutes including time for Q&A), the poster presentation (poster session held on Thursday, September 7th from 5:30-7:30pm, and the lighting talk – a 5-minute oral presentation with a strictly enforced time limit.
Q: I want to submit an abstract, but my work is in Extension and/or outreach, not strictly academic and/or research. What type of presentation category should I consider?
A: You should consider the lightning talk where one of the 4 categories is specifically intended for outreach and Extension professionals. Read more about the lightning talk categories on the 2023 ALWRC Abstract Submission Form. You could also consider the poster presentation.
Q: I’m a student that would like to submit an abstract to the ALWRC, but I will have only preliminary data or no data by September. What type of presentation category should I consider?
A: You should consider the lighting talk or poster presentation categories. Standard oral presentations are intended for projects that contain a well-developed results and/or discussion component.
Q: I’m a new PhD student that would like to present my recently completed M.S. thesis research as well as pitch my dissertation I have just started. What presentation category should I consider?
A: Consider the standard oral for your completed M.S. thesis research and the lightning talk or poster presentation for your newly started dissertation work! You will need to send us two separate abstract submissions. Be sure to add a message in the additional comments section at the end of the 2023 ALWRC Abstract Submission Form if space is limited, which of your abstracts is your priority.
Registration
Q: When does registration open?
A: June 1, 2023.
Q: Is there a student registration discount?
A: Yes! You must provide two documents by email: the 2023 ALWRC Student Full-Time Status Confirmation Form (signed by your major professor/academic advisor) AND a photocopy or screenshot of your student ID Card. Email these as a single PDF to Rachel McGuire at rem@auburn.edu.
Q: Is there an early bird discount?
A: Yes! The early bird registration rates will run until August 5, 2023.
Q: Do I have to register if I am a presenter?
A: Yes, all presenters (standard oral, lightning, and poster) must register for the ALWRC.
Q: What meals are included with registration?
A: The Conference & Symposium option includes a Wed. Symposium PM Break, one ticket to the Wed. night Flora-Bama Seafood Social, Thurs. Breakfast, Thurs. Lunch, Thurs. PM Break, and Friday Breakfast. The Conference only option includes Thurs. Breakfast, Thurs. Lunch, Thurs. PM Break, and Friday Breakfast. The Symposium only option includes Wed. Symposium PM Break and one ticket to the Wed. Night Flora-Bama Seafood Social.
Student Competition
Q: How do I become eligible for the student competition?
A: You must 1) Submit a standard oral or poster presentation abstract that is accepted, 2) Register and 3) Provide your two forms of student documentation (see Registration FAQ section) above by email to Rachel McGuire at rem@auburn.edu
Q: Are the lightning talks eligible for student competition?
A: No, standard oral and poster competitions are the only categories eligible for the 2023 student competition.
Q: How many student winners will there be?
A: Traditionally, a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place will be awarded to the top 3 students in standard oral presenters and poster presenters, for a total of six student winners.
Q: Can I compete in both the student oral competition and the student poster competition?
A: Yes, if you submit two abstracts with distinct content for each category type and if space allows for the poster competition venue.
Q: Will you announce the student winners at the end of the ALWRC?
A: We plan to announce and recognize the 2023 ALWRC student competition winners via email the week following the 2023 ALWRC.
Lodging
Q: Is there a room block at the Perdido Beach Resort for the ALWRC?
A: Yes, we have a room block held until August 5, 2023 (once early bird registration expires)
Q: How do I receive the group rate for my room reservation?
A: After you register for the ALWRC, you will receive a confirmation email that includes a code to mention to the Perdido Beach Resort
Q: Should I make my Perdido Beach Resort room reservation by phone or online?
A: We highly recommend booking your room by phone. Call 251-981-9811 and be sure to mention the code provided in your ALWRC registration confirmation email
Q: Can I make room reservations somewhere other than the Perdido Beach Resort?
A: We highly recommend you stay at the PBR for the convenience and exceptional group rate our partner provides, but no, you can book reservations elsewhere if desired.
PREVIOUS CONFERENCES
Archives:
- 2022 Alabama Water Resources Conference Full Abstract Listing
- 2021 Alabama Water Resources Conference Proceedings
- 2021 Alabama Water Resources Conference Agenda
- 2019 Alabama Water Resources Conference Proceedings
- 2018 Alabama Water Resources Conference Proceedings and Presentations
- 2017 Alabama Water Resources Conference Proceedings
- 2017 Alabama Water Resources Conference Presentations
- 2016 Alabama Water Resources Conference Proceedings and Presentations
- 2015 Alabama Water Resources Conference Proceedings and Presentations