Watershed Science Program History - Warner College of Natural Resources

Watershed Science at Colorado State University

Watershed History Photo Timeline

two people collecting a water sample from a river

Student taking photo of another student sampling water from a river

Two water resources graduate students take water quality samples by a river in Colorado.

Woman takes class notes by a river in Colorado.

A group of Colorado State University water resource students take water quality samples by the Poudre River in Colorado.

Woman takes samples in river for hydrologic analysis. She is standing in the river with waders.

Colorado State University Warner College of Natural Resources learn principles of watershed measurement and management during NR 220 Natural Resources Ecology and Measurements class on the CSU Mountain Campus, June 7, 2023.

Accelerated Masters Program Sustainability Colorado Water

Colorado State University Professor reads water quality in a stream in northern Colorado

environmental studies student monitors water quality in northern colorado reservoir

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBHF0dzyi7Y&feature=youtu.be

Since 1958, the Watershed Science program has been a cornerstone of the Ecosystem Science and Sustainability department within the Warner College of Natural Resources. While its name and academic home have evolved—from the “Cooperative Watershed Management Unit” in the College of Forestry to its current place in Warner College as the Watershed Science program—the mission has remained steadfast. It continues to focus on the impact of land use on water, blending biophysical and socio-economic disciplines in an interdisciplinary approach. Students engage in field-based education, including a practicum, and tackle real-world challenges through research, all while enjoying the flexibility to shape their studies around a core curriculum.

Seventy-one years later, the Watershed Science Program remains a flagship at Colorado State University.

Read the History of Watershed Science at CSU, as written by former faculty Bob Dils and Jim Meiman.

Course Offerings: Then and Now

Watershed Science Courses Through the Years

Catalog Years	Undergraduate Courses	Graduate Courses
1959-1960
	Principles of Watershed Management	Watershed Analysis I
	Watershed Management	Research in Watershed Management
	Watershed Programs, Administration, and Policy
	Watershed Management Problems I, II, and III
2016-2017
	Sustainable Watersheds	Watershed Management in Developing Countries
	Seasonal Snow Environments	Modeling Watershed Hydrology
	Land Use Hydrology	Advanced Snow Hydrology
	Watershed Measurements	Snow Hydrology Field Methods
	Land Use and Water Quality	Hillslope Hydrology and Runoff Processes
	Snow Hydrology	Data Issues in Hydrology
	Watershed Field Practicum
	Watershed Problem Analysis

50th Anniversary

The Colorado State University Watershed Science program celebrated its 50 year anniversary in 2008. In honor of the occasion, we held a celebration of science, reflection, and vision. Participants had a chance to reunite with friends and colleagues, meet watershed folks spanning multiple generations, and participate in the discussion about the future of watershed science and management. The anniversary celebration included three days of activities, two of which overlapped with the annual AGU Hydrology Days conference.

The celebration was a resounding success bringing together several generations of “watershedders.”

View former faculty member Jim Meiman’s presentation given at the 50th anniversary events here!