The DHS research program results from a dynamic interplay between the problems important to our state, our region, and our nation, the expertise of our faculty, and the availability of research funding.

ACAP: Alternative Cover Assessment Program

DRI’s Alternative Cover Assessment Program (ACAP) grew out of an opportunity to respond to the needs of both the landfill industry and regulatory agencies to provide environmentally responsible and cost effective methods to close landfills.

DOE/NNSA Technical Research, Engineering, and Development Contract

DRI’s contract with the Department of Energy (DOE) is one of the Institute’s largest multi-disciplinary research programs, drawing from personnel in all three divisions.

Ecological Engineering

The Ecological Engineering group at DRI conducts fundamental and applied research with the goal of applying engineering principles to understand and reduce adverse effects of human activities on rivers, lakes, wetlands, springs and estuaries.

NWRRI: Nevada Water Resources Research Institute

DHS is a recognized Water Resources Research Institute and is funded for research, information transfer, training and management of programs that aid in the solution of critical state water problems.

PAM (Polyacrylamide) Research

With funding provided by the U.S. Department of the Interior, a research consortium comprised of DRI et al. have been investigating the risks and benefits of using linear, anionic polyacrylamide as a water conservation tool in water delivery canals.

SEPHAS: Scaling Environmental Processes in Heterogeneous Arid Soils

SEPHAS is a research program which focuses on the scaling of subsurface and landscape-interface environmental processes. Better understanding of these processes has applications to environmental issues such as climate change, water recharge, flooding, and contaminant transport.

Nearshore Water Quality at Lake Tahoe

DRI researchers are investigating the water clarity of Lake Tahoe's near shore zone, the area of the lake that is most affected by onshore disturbances.

Truckee River Programs

For over 35 years, DHS has performed basic and applied research - as well as long-term ambient water quality monitoring - within the Truckee River Basin.

WAIS Divide Ice Core

The U.S research community is conducting a deep ice coring project in West Antarctica for studies of climate, ice sheet history and cryobiology.