The new Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF) on the University of Alabama's Tuscaloosa campus will support training, repairs, and calibration for hydrological equipment that monitors streamflow, groundwater, water quality and other water resource features important to all Americans that rely on water. The HIF will support the greater USGS water-resource monitoring and evaluation mission with training and equipment necessary for the comprehensive scientific study of water availability, quality, and quantity. USGS expects the facility will support and encourage strong collaboration with NOAA’s National Water Center, also located on campus.
The 95,000 square feet, two story facility will include a hydraulics lab, water-quality labs, field testing facilities, environmental chambers, sensor innovation space, warehouse, training labs, network operations center and administrative offices. Unique features of the hydraulics lab will include a tilting flume and test basin for simulating river and stream processes, and a 350 foot-long tow tank and carriage which will provide a national water-velocity standard for calibrating field instrumentation.
Construction began in March 2022, and the USGS plans to take occupancy in 2023.
Budget
$38,500,000
Architect/Engineer
Stanley Consultants
General Contractor
JCCBG Joint Venture