Auburn University Water Resources Center

👉 Save the date! Backyard Stream Repair 101 - August 19, 2026, Opelika, AL.
🌱Register @ https://www.aces.edu/go/streamrepair

Is your property near a creek or small stream? After heavy rain, do you notice bank slumping, exposed roots, widening channels, or muddy water? This beginner-friendly workshop will teach homeowners and concerned neighbors how small-scale streambank erosion happens and what practical, nature-based repair approaches you can use to help protect your land and support cleaner water.

Whether you’re seeing early signs of erosion or planning improvements, this workshop is your starting point for making informed, responsible choices. This workshop is held for participants across Alabama, with examples and discussion tailored to local conditions. No prior experience required, open to the public.

Participants will learn:
• How to assess streambank erosion safely
• When “do-it-yourself repair” is appropriate vs. when to call professionals
• Do it yourself options
• How natural materials and native plants can increase stability
• Basic planning steps for a backyard-scale repair project

Register at the link in our bio, or on our AUWRC events calendar.

Drought Update!

After several weeks of improvement, conditions remained mostly the same over the last week. Half the state remains either Abnormally Dry (DO) or in Moderate Drought (D1).

More rain is in the forecast, expect conditions to improve or remain the same.

Thanks to everyone who joined in for the Alabama Water Watch Annual meeting! volunteers are some of the most dedicated across the state, we had a good group this year!

It was great to hear data success stories, meet new friends, and come together with the shared purpose of clean water 💧

Stay tuned to for a recap of the event and volunteer awards.

Want to learn more about ? Visit their website for upcoming trainings.

👋Get to know Emily Branch, our 2026 ACES Summer Intern!

Emily is entering her senior year at Auburn University majoring in Organismal Biology. With a history of science education , outreach, and water chemistry lab work, Emily is a great fit for the Center.

This summer she will be assisting Alabama Water Watch with water testing, developing a science communication project, assisting with the AL Water Resources Conference planning, and representing the WRC at various education and outreach events throughout the summer! Read more about Emily at the link in our bio.

Pics:
1. Emily befriends a snake
2. Emily assisting AWW staff member Carolina Ruiz with conference planning
3. Emily completing ecology class field work in Tuskegee

💧Join us for the 2026 AWW Annual Meeting in Opelika, AL💧

The day will feature networking opportunities, Data Lightning Rounds (brief presentations by Volunteer Monitors local to East/ Central Alabama), and our Annual Volunteer Awards Program.

Come celebrate the work of AWW's Volunteers and Program Partners (and enjoy lunch catered by Butcher Paper BBQ !)

Registration closes May 31 >>> aub.ie/2026_AWWAM_Registration

👋 A little bird told us you haven't submitted your abstract yet!
Don't wait! Today is the last day to submit (Friday, May 22 @ 5pm CT).

💧The Alabama Water Resources Conference is September 9-11, 2026 at the Perdido Beach Resort. Registration opens July 1!
More at the link in our bio.

Put your best wing forward - submit your abstract this week!
Abstracts are due Friday, May 22 @ 5pm CT 🙌

The Alabama Water Resources Conference is September 9-11, 2026 at the Perdido Beach Resort.

Previous topic areas have included:
Aquatic Ecology/Biology, Coastal Issues, Drought and Climate Issues, Ecological Flows, Flood Issues, GIS and Water Management, Groundwater Availability and Management, Modeling in Water Management, Restoration and Remediation, Stormwater Management, Water Policy and Law, Water Quality, Water Quantity, Water Resources Education and Stewardship, Water and Wastewater Systems Management, Watershed Management and Connecting Agencies, Industries and Stakeholders.

Registration opens July 1! More at the link in our bio.

It's that time of year! Each spring, the Cahaba River comes alive with Cahaba Lily blooms, (also know as the Rocky Shoals Spider Lily (Hymenocallis coronaria)). These Lillies are some of the most iconic plants in the Southeast and a defining symbol of the Cahaba River.

Cahaba Lillies thrive in swift, sunlit water, anchoring itself to rocks as it blooms in bright white clusters across the river. The largest stands of Cahaba lilies bloom at the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge, located less than an hour from downtown Birmingham. Visitors can view lilies from riverside trails, short hikes, or by canoeing through the river’s rocky shoals.

The Cahaba Lilly Festival is May 16, 2026 in West Blocton, Alabama.

Want to learn more about the Cahaba River? https://aub.ie/cahaba

Drought Update!

While the majority of the state remains in some level of drought, some West and Southwestern counties in the state received enough rain to improve from Extreme (D3) drought to Severe (D2) Drought. These areas will still need more beneficial rainfall before long term improvements can set in.

Next week's forecast shows scattered showers and little to no rain - expect conditions to remain the same.

Drought Update!

Swaths of West and North Alabama saw 1-category improvements over the past week as rain fell across the state. However, the southern portion of the state remains in Severe and Extreme Drought.

Although ongoing storm systems are expected to bring additional rain across the state, we are still in a long-term drought, meaning it will take several more months of near-normal rainfall before we see sustained recovery statewide.