News

WSU Water Researchers,

The State of Washington Water Research Center and WSU are partners with the American University of Cairo, three other US Universities, and five Egyptian universities to develop the Egyptian Center of Excellence for Water (COE-W), funded by the USAID.  As part of this effort, the COE will be funding collaborative research grants (up to $250,000) to facilitate science and innovation through joint US and Egyptian led projects.  Attached is a call for proposals for this program, and you can check out the FAQ page for this RFP at: https://bit.ly/2Uvo149.  If you are interested in the possibility of carrying our water research for and in Egypt, you should check these resources out!

Download the full Call for Proposals here.

There are a few basic things to know.
(1) Only partner university faculty are eligible for participating, so if you are a WSU faculty member with water expertise, you are in a relatively small, select group eligible for this program.
(2) The deadline for proposals is May 15, about a month from now.
(3)  The research must be focused on water and related to Egypt, and must involve Egyptian partner university faculty.   All partner universities are listed in the RFP.

The third requirement could be a hurdle or an opportunity for those not currently working on Egyptian water issues or have Egyptian research connections.  We are currently working on a process to facilitate networking among partner university faculty.   In the meantime, if you are seeking help identifying research collaborators among partner university faculty or would like to know what potential research projects are being proposed by others to which you would like to contribute, please provide your contact information and expertise here:

Contact information form for WSU water researchers interested in connecting with Egyptian water projects

Enter your contact information ASAP because the deadline is coming up quickly!  We will pass on your information to the COE-W, and will be in touch with updates for you as soon as possible.  If you have any further questions, email WRC Director Yoder at yoder@wsu.edu.

Ecosystem response to the removal of the Elwha River dams

Dr. George Pess, NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center

Wed., Sept 18, 2019| 3:10 pm | PACCAR Clean Tech Bldg. , Room 202

Worldwide stream and watershed restoration efforts cost billions annually. Normally, these projects are typically local-scale activities that do not have a measurable effect on ecosystem function or services. We present results from the Elwha River, where the largest dam removal ever undertaken resulted in measureable ecosystem changes. The release and transport of tens of millions of metric tonnes of sediment from former reservoirs has resulted in the transformation and rebuilding of estuarine and riverine habitats. The resumption of free passage for aquatic organisms has re-established anadromous fishes to areas that have been void of such species for 100 years and altered the migration patterns and improved the fecundity of a song bird. Our results demonstrate the critical importance of maintaining longitudinal connectivity for watershed processes and ecosystem services.

George Pess has worked in the field of fisheries and geomorphology since 1989. His primary research interest during that time has been the examination of natural and land-use effects on salmon habitat and salmon production. George has an A.B. in Economics and Environmental Science (Bowdoin College 1987), an M.S. in Forest Science (Yale University 1992), and a Ph.D. in Aquatic and Fishery Sciences (University of Washington, 2009). George is currently the program manager for the Watershed Program at NOAAs Northwest Fisheries Science Center and is Affiliate Associate Professor at the University of Washington School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences.

CEREO and WRC CO-Sponsor Seminar