Interested In Conducting Water Research?
We seek proposals for student research projects related to water resources on Colorado’s Western Slope. The program is open to all disciplines, including, but not limited to, the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. The research must be directly relevant to water issues in the Upper Colorado River Basin in Colorado, including any watersheds that are tributary to the Colorado River.
Student Research Grant Process
Curious about applying for our student research grants? Follow the steps below!-
Enrollment
Students must be enrolled full-time (12 credit hours) in a degree program at Colorado Mesa University.
-
Faculty Involvement
Proposals must have a Colorado Mesa University faculty advisor attached. The associated faculty advisor is responsible for ensuring that the proposal has been processed according to Colorado Mesa University’s proposal submission policies and procedures.
-
Funding
The award is limited to a maximum of $5,000. This project budget may include a student salary, fringe benefits, supplies, services, travel, and other direct costs. Up to $1,000 of the budget may be dedicated to salary for the faculty supervisor! However, only direct costs are allowed for this research grant. It be administered by the CMU Office Of Sponsored Programs (OSP).
-
Submission
Proposals must be submitted via an email to our Executive Director, Shannon Wadas: [email protected]. Proposals must be submitted using the format provided and may not exceed 5 pages in length!
-
Award Announcement
The student applicant and faculty advisor will be notified as to the status of their application via their CMU Outlook email address. Projects may not be started until an official notification of funding is received.
-
Final Report
Upon completion of the project, the recipient will be required to submit a report that includes a narrative describing research activities and project results, photographs of the student and faculty advisor conducting research for the project, and a complete financial accounting of all expenditures. Final project reports may be published by the Ruth Powell Hutchins Water Center as part of our student research report series. Additionally, students and/or faculty advisor(s) may be invited to present an oral/poster presentation on their work at the next Upper Colorado River Basin Water Forum.
2025-2026 Research Project
Evaluation of Water Quality In James M. Robb State Park Lakes And Snook’s Bottom Lake
This project looked at the water quality of three lakes in Fruita, Colorado: Red Rock Lake, Bookcliff Lake, and Snook’s Bottom Lake. These lakes are near the Colorado River and are important for fishing, boating, wildlife, and irrigation. The water was tested from spring through fall to learn about temperature, oxygen levels, salt levels, and other basic water conditions. We found that Red Rock Lake had the most stable and healthy water overall for fish, boating, and irrigation. Bookcliff Lake had very high salt levels, which can make it hard for fish and plants to live there. Snook’s Bottom Lake got very warm in the summer and had low oxygen in deeper water making it hard for fish to live there. By studying these lakes, we now have a better idea of their current health. This information can help local managers protect the lakes and keep them safe for people, fish, and wildlife in the future.
An Investigation of the Selenium Concentration in Thenardite Efflorescences on Mancos Shale, Western Colorado. Faculty Researchers: Rachael C. Lohse and William C. Hood.
Application of RGB and multispectral drone (sUAS) photogrammetry of alluvial fans in the Grand Valley of Colorado USA for detecting shallowly-buried channel features that may act as groundwater conduits. Student Researcher: KennaLee Worster. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Gregory Baker.
Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Snowmelt and Snow Persistence on the Grand Mesa. Faculty Researchers: Meghan Cline and Joel Sholtes.
Using Waste-Based Biochar to Address the Selenium Issue in Western Colorado’s Water: Final Report. Student Researcher: Blake Shewmon. Faculty Advisor: Freddy Witarsa.
Testing the applicability of microbial source tracking method using qPCR for determining
the source of high levels of fecal contamination in Western Slope waterways. Student Researcher: Amaya Brooks. Faculty Advisors: Zeynep Ozsoy and Freddy Witarsa.
Water Conservation and Contaminant Removal from Greywater Using Colorado Native Plants in a Hydroponic Green Wall. Student Researchers: Holly Stanley and Ashley Emery. Faculty Advisors: Freddy Witarsa, Bill Adams, and Troy Miller.