· To conduct research on techniques and Best Management Practices (BMPs) for assessing and managing watersheds and reservoirs, addressing current and emerging problems and issues.
· To develop a network of contacts in Texas and beyond, seeking innovative approaches to watershed and water protection.
· To serve as a repository of information for the state and to disseminate information to agencies, businesses, schools and individuals.
· To develop curricula and deliver educational programs on land and water resources, reservoirs and watersheds.

Importance of Watersheds

Watersheds and recharge areas are very appropriate units of management for protection of reservoirs and water quality.  Reservoirs currently provide 55% of the drinking water for the citizens of Texas and serve as significant sources of water for agriculture and industry, as well as providing recreation and enjoyment.

Maintaining these services is becoming increasingly more difficult and complex.  Rural watersheds are rapidly urbanizing, often changing the quantity and quality of water entering the reservoirs.

Increased recreational use of reservoirs causes a variety of problems ranging from personal safety issues to shoreline erosion.  Introduction of exotic species, such as Hydrilla, pose considerable threats to the ecological balance and recreational uses of reservoirs.  Fertilizer runoff from urban neighborhoods and agricultural fields can cause excessive algae growth in reservoirs, producing taste and odor problems in our drinking water.  The demand for water by large urban areas often conflict with the needs of industry and agriculture.
 

University of North Texas and Watershed Research

For over 60 years the University of North Texas (UNT) has had an active reservoir and water quality teaching and research program.   The Institute of Applied Sciences at UNT (http://ias.unt.edu) has conducted problem-solving research on watersheds and reservoirs for over 20 years.  For over two decades UNT has worked with Texas water suppliers, conducting assessments and management plans for maintaining the State’s water quality.

UNT has an excellent record of educating professionals in environmental resource management.  The University offers masters and doctoral degrees in environmental science and in more traditional biology (http://biology.unt.edu).  It also offers a masters degree in Applied Geography, with emphasis in planning, policy and GIS (http://geography.unt.edu).

Faculty and staff have strong credentials and experience in limnology, remote sensing, GIS, environmental engineering, policy and planning, aquatic botany, wetland science, aquatic and sediment toxicology, groundwater hydrology, soils and geology, environmental modeling, stream and mammalian ecology, statistics, information management and environmental education.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Ken Dickson, Dr. Tom Waller or Dr. Tom LaPoint at 940-56502694
Bruce Hunter at 940-565-2991