Institute of Water Research

Research

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  AGL Tile Drain Monitoring

  Deploying a tile drain monitoring network in coordination with stream monitoring networks in Michigan's 5 priority watersheds.

• Blesh Soil Health

  Understanding the outcomes of improved soil health to accelerate conservation adoption in the Western Lake Erie Basin.

• ERB H20 Quality Planning: Improving water quality monitoring capacity in the Western Lake Erie Basin

  Improving the water quality of the Western Lake Erie Basin through engaging producers in a free water quality monitoring program.

• ERB Tile Drain Monitoring

  Increasing agricultural conservation adoption through tile drain water quality monitoring in the River Raisin.

• Great Lakes Watershed Management System: Enhancements for Tracking Michigan's Nutrient Reduction Goals

  Develop an enhanced online nutrient reduction dashboard to assist MDARD and EGLE in tracking progress on nutrient reductions goals for the Western Lake Erie Basin.

• L'Anse II: Expanding groundwater research in Baraga County, MI

  Assessing and remediating toxic metals in residential wells through groundwater research and modeling to support the Ojibwa Community College located in Baraga County, MI.

• Metrics, management, and monitoring - an investigation in rangeland and pasture soil health and their drivers

  The IWR, in partnership with Colorado State University and the Noble Research Institute, are leading water monitoring efforts in this five-year study aimed at optimizing the management of America’s rangelands and pastures.

• Michigan Hydrologic Framework

  The Michigan Hydrologic Framework aims to enhance sustainable water management across Michigan via the development of a hydrologic model sharing platform.

• Saline River: Watershed Buffer Easement Pilot Project (Phase 1)

  The first phase of a multiphase project designed to reduce phosphorus loading, bank erosion, and sedimentation from agricultural fields in Michigan's Saline River Watershed.

• SIDMA

  Upgrades to the Social Indicators Data Management and Analysis (SIDMA) tool to support evolving user needs.

• Soil Probes: Testing nutrient sensor probes and connecting outcomes to water quality

• USGS 104B

  Improving ecosystem services and water quality through applied research and technological advancements.

• A Decision Support Tool for Measuring and Tracking the Social Benefits of Water Resources in Michigan Coastal Communities

  The IWR recently developed a data dashboard that allows local planners, decision makers, business leaders, and residents to identify, measure, and track the social benefits of water projects and resources in their community.

• Accelerating Conservation Adoption in the River Raisin

  This project will improve water quality in the River Raisin watershed and reduce phosphorus entering Western Lake Erie basin.

• Accelerating Nutrient Management Adoption in the Saginaw Watershed

  IWR will develop and implement a program to increase adoption of nutrient management practices on roughly 20,000 acres of farmland in the Saginaw River watershed.

• Improving Stream Habitat in the Maple River Watershed

  This project is part of the USDA Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), bringing nearly $600,000 in conservation funding to farmers in the Maple River watershed to improve fish habitat and water quality.

• The Mid-Michigan Health Impact Assessment Toolkit

  The IWR developed an online, GIS-based, analytical toolset for evaluating the effects of local planning and decision-making on community health and health equity in the mid-Michigan region.