What we do

Engineers in Water Resources focus on designing, implementing and managing water resources with conflicting and competing objectives and constraints. Humboldt Water Resources Engineers investigate:

• Conjunctive use of surface and ground water resources
• Restoration of stream channels
• Multi-purpose, multi-objective reservoir operation
• Proper function and design of fish passage structures
• Hydraulics and hydrology of watershed systems

  
ERE students gauge stream flow on a creek flowing and observe a streambed restoration project both at Redwood National Park.

Classes

All ERE students are required to take Systems Analysis (ENGR 313), Fluid Mechanics (ENGR 333), Transport Phenomena (ENGR 416) and Hydrology I (ENGR 440). These courses provide the foundation for understanding water resources. In addition, students can include the following water resources courses in their three major electives:

• Applied Hydraulics (ENGR 418)
• Advanced Hydrology (ENGR 441/541)
• Groundwater Systems Planning and Management (ENGR 443/543)
• Water Resources Planning and Management (ENGR 445/545)
• River Hydraulics (ENGR 448)

Facilities

Hydraulics Laboratory

The Hydraulics Laboratory (SD 1) is equipped with experimental apparatus for the basic study of fluid hydraulics in pipe systems and open channels. All ERE students use the laboratory during Fluid Mechanics to learn the fundamentals of fluid hydraulics.

Transport Flume

A large, tilting flume capable of both water and sediment transport is located in the fenced area at the entrance to Science D. This flume is used for upper division course experiments and research into the formation and stability of stream channels, erosion rates and design of engineered structures in or adjacent to natural systems.