NCET Biz Tips: DRI’s Hydrologic Sciences Division Addresses the Largest Environmental Challenges Facing Mankind

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Our human activities exert global-scale change and impact on our planet every second of the day.  No longer can the world depend on past models and observations to address environmental sustainability.

Based right here in Reno, Desert Research Institute’s Hydrologic Sciences Division (DHS) is at the forefront of researching humans’ impact on the environment and the environment’s impact on humans.  DHS is ensuring a healthy world by tackling the world’s biggest challenges in the areas of climate, water, agriculture, wildfires, and more.

Started in 1959, Desert Research Institute’s (DRI) mission is to maintain a home for science to create a better future for Nevadans and the world.  DRI is part of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) and not part of UNR. DRI is one of eight institutions within NSHE, as is UNR and UNLV, and the only research institute within NSHE.  Although DRI does not grant degrees, it does work with students at all NSHE institutions.  Two-thirds of its 450 entrepreneurial faculty and staff are based in Reno with a second campus in Las Vegas.

Working on all continents, DHS is often called upon by private and federal agencies to develop and test new environmental technologies that can aid our national security here at home and abroad.  In fact, they have been doing this type of work for over 60 years.

One of three DRI divisions, DHS encompasses all aspects of the hydrologic cycle:

  • Precipitation

  • Snow melt

  • Water within our lakes, streams, and rivers

  • Underground water

  • Evaporation back into the atmosphere

All these areas are important to Nevadans and the rest of our country.

Whether using drones for sampling and observing wildfires or pulling ice cores from glaciers in Greenland to understand how ancient civilizations reacted to climatic changes, DHS has the deep training and experience in technical fields to take on a broad array of environmental challenges.

Have you ever wondered how microplastics get into our environment and our water systems and what we can do about it?  Two years ago, DHS researchers detected microplastic pollution in Lake Tahoe for the first time.  Now they are trying to determine its source and potential harm to the lake’s flora and fauna since even the tiniest pieces of plastic are a big pollution problem.

Have you thought about how satellites may help manage water use down to the scale of individual farm fields?  Housed at DRI in Reno, The Western States Water Use Program (WSWUP) is using satellite imagery and remote sensing tools to accurately estimate streamflow and groundwater depletion stemming from irrigation activities.

Are you concerned about how water, sanitation, and hygiene can even be managed on an international scale?  Founded in 2013, DRI’s Center for International Water and Sustainability (CIWAS) supports and expands on DRI/DHS multi-disciplinary work on environmental resource management around the world.  CIWAS addresses the gaps in knowledge, research, and human resource capacity that persist in developing countries.   

Want to learn more about DHS’ mission-driven environmental sustainability research and initiatives? Join us for NCET’s virtual Tech Wednesday on July 14 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. with virtual networking from 4:00 to 4:30 p.m.  More information at  https://www.ncet.org/ncet-event-calendar/desert-research-institute

Dave Archer is president/CEO of NCET which produces educational and networking events to help people explore business and technology. (www.NCET.org)

Dave Archer