About IIHR

What is IIHR?

IIHR—Hydroscience & Engineering is a world-renowned center for education, research, and public service focusing on hydraulic engineering and fluid mechanics. Based in the C. Maxwell Stanley Hydraulics Laboratory, a five-story red brick building on the banks of the Iowa River, IIHR is a unit of the University of Iowa’s College of Engineering. At IIHR, students, faculty members, and research engineers work together to understand and manage one of the world’s greatest resources—water. Students from around the world benefit from IIHR’s comprehensive multidisciplinary approach, which includes basic fluid mechanics, laboratory experimentation, and computational approaches.

Students gain hands-on experience through close cooperation with faculty members on research projects funded by industry, government, and other organizations. Though IIHR is a relatively small organization, it continues to claim a major role in the worldwide effort to understand and utilize water and its flow.

Note: Originally, IIHR stood for the Iowa Institute of Hydraulic Research. In 2002, this name was officially changed to IIHR—Hydroscience & Engineering to better reflect the broad scope and modern multidisciplinary nature of the institute’s focus. The acronym “IIHR” has been retained to reflect the institute’s rich history and past century’s achievements.

Mission & Vision

Mission

Free Flow, a bronze sculpture by Iowa artist Shirley Wyrick, represents IIHR’s research and rich history. Free Flow is permanently installed near the entrance to the C. Maxwell Stanley Hydraulics Laboratory.

IIHR’s mission is to be a leader in fluids-related fundamental and applied research; to provide interdisciplinary education for future leaders in science and engineering; and to advance knowledge in support of sustainable natural and engineered systems.

Vision

IIHR’s vision is to be an international leader among academic institutions in hydroscience and engineering research recognized for integrating laboratory, field, and simulation-based experimentation and participatory interdisciplinary education.

Goal #1 — Institutional Vitality

Foster an academic research environment for students and staff to work at the forefront of their disciplines and collaboratively on large, multidisciplinary research initiatives.

Goal #2 — Research

Enhance international recognition for excellence in research while integrating laboratory, field, and simulation-based experimentation in both fundamental and applied engineering research programs.

Goal #3 — Education

Develop and maintain educational programs built on rigorous foundational courses and enhanced with broad interdisciplinary electives and participatory research experiences.