Auburn University Water Resources Center

Today we got to learn about repairing backyard streams with national stream restoration expert David Bidelspach. What can you do as a home owner with an eroding stream bank? When do you need a permit and what can you do without? What’s the bigger picture that contributes to stream erosion and a need for restoration?

The group learned about the reasoning behind restoration followed by practical steps they could take as homeowners.

The workshop finished in the field as participants visited the Creekline Trails of Opelika to develop their own restoration ideas.

This was a great workshop for homeowners we hope to offer again soon!

Congratulations to our ACES Summer Intern Emily Branch for presenting her poster, "Revealing the Native Aquatic Biodiversity of Alabama's River Basins" at the ACES 2026 Internship Ceremony.

Emily has been working on developing educational Extension material that will highlight native and endemic species in our Alabama watersheds. These aquatic species often get overlooked, her work will help explain their importance, uniqueness, and why waterways deserve to be cared for!

She has also completed a jam packed internship with us, helping with numerous education and outreach events, editing publications, assisting with AWW testing and more. Luckily, she's agreed to stick around with us through the following semester. Thanks Emily for all your work!

Thanks to all that attended the ceremony -- Aubie even got a little style boost from Sergio.

Celebrating the Cahaba River at the UWA Summer Data Institute

In mid-July, AWW Staffer Sydney traveled over to the University of West Alabama Cahaba Biodiversity Center (UWA CBC) in West Blocton, Alabama, for the UWA Black Belt STEM Institute Summer Data Science and Literacy Institute.

The three-day workshop, led by Anne Gallagher, an Education Consultant with the Waters Center for Systems Thinking, and Chet Nicklas, the Director for the UWA Black Belt STEM Education Institute, focused on data literacy, systems thinking, and data science education.

The workshop included a tour around the CBC property, caving, and wading in the Cahaba!

Read more about Syd's adventures on AWWareness: https://awwblog.auburn.edu/2026/07/29/celebrating-the-cahaba-river-at-the-uwa-summer-data-institute/

UWA Cahaba Biodiversity Center UWA Black Belt STEM Waters Center for Systems Thinking

📸 Group photo (Joan Rundles), Anne presenting on connection circles (Sydney Zinner), Various types of graphs (Sydney Zinner), Syd and the Cahaba (Sydney Zinner)

Connecting through Summer Outreach

AWW Staff stayed busy this summer with education and outreach efforts, helping more people access and understand their waterways!

Read more about our summer on AWWareness: https://awwblog.auburn.edu/2026/07/28/recap-summer-outreach-2026/

📸: AU Fish Camp (Sydney Zinner), Science Matters (Sydney Zinner), Project SWAR (College of Education Communications), Cahaba ELP Visit (Mona Dominguez), Forestry Commission Educator Field Day (Amy Zvonar)

👋Planning to join the Alabama Water Resources Conference? Don't wait to register! Early bird rates end midnight Tuesday, August 4th!
Standard rates begin August 5, 2026.

👉IMPORTANT:
All Perdido Beach Resort rooms at the ALWRC conference rate are now sold out. PBR rooms are now only available at the hotel’s regular rates.

Additional overflow hotel room blocks have been arranged:

The Island House Hotel (26650 Perdido Beach Boulevard, Orange Beach, AL 36561) at a discounted rate of $189+ tax/ per night. Deadline to reserve your room: August 10th.

The Fairfield by Marriott Inn and Suites Orange Beach (3111 Loop Rd, Orange Beach, AL 36561) at a discounted rate of $109+ tax/night. Deadline to reserve your room: August 9th.

Email [email protected] for the ALWRC group code if you plan to book at the Island House Hotel or the Fairfield by Marriott Inn and Suites.
Please note that the ALWRC does not provide transportation to the conference from overflow hotels.

Find all information on the conference page of our AUWRC website, link in bio.
Sign up for our ALWRC newsletter to keep in the loop!

👉Join our Team!

Auburn University Water Resources Center is seeking an Instructional Outreach Programs Administrator (Auburn, AL). The individual selected for the position will provide leadership to the AL Cooperative Extension System’s AL Private Well (PWP) and Alabama Drought Reach (ADR) Programs.

The selected individual will plan, coordinate, and deliver educational programs that will prepare private well owners to protect their drinking water, and will increase drought literacy and preparedness. Additionally, the individual selected for this position will support other WRC extension programs including AL Water Watch (AWW), 4-H AWW, AL Watershed Stewards (AWS), and the AL Water Resources Conference. This is a three-year limited-term position. Continued employment is contingent upon the availability of funding.

💧Visit aub.ie/outreachposition to apply.

FUN FACT - Alabama leads the nation with 1,438 miles of navigable channels, with 16 lock-and-dam structures on six river systems.

How well do you know Alabama's waterways? Put your knowledge to the test by identifying the major rivers and tributaries marked on the map. Share your answers in the comments, and check back later for the answer key!

While you are waiting to see if your answers are correct, check out the water resources available on our website. https://www.aces.edu/go/5507