Guiding Utah’s Water Future: Bethany Neilson Leads the Utah Water Research Laboratory

The connection between policy and science is not always clear. Bethany Neilson learned that early in her career.

As a graduate student more than two decades ago, she set out to design modeling tools for a policy-driven need but quickly realized that the real challenge was bridging the gap between the policy and science requirements. That realization continues to influence her career.

Neilson's research at Utah State University explores how groundwater affects river flow, temperature, and water quality in mountain regions, and how data and modeling can inform water management, including recent work in the Great Salt Lake basin and other areas throughout the state. As water concerns increase in Utah and the West, embracing the connection between science and policy has become vital. What science is driving the policy, and what policy is driving the science? This question has opened the door to sharing how research can guide thoughtful and informed decision-making. Neilson's years of experience have prepared her to meet this moment: On July 1, 2025, she became director of the Utah Water Research Laboratory, a role dedicated to advancing science and ensuring it informs policy.

A Utah State alumna, Neilson brings a wealth of expertise to the role. She earned a Ph.D. in civil and environmental engineering in 2006, a master's degree in 2001, and a bachelor's degree in 1998—all from USU's College of Engineering. Over her career, she has authored 73 journal publications, delivered more than 220 professional presentations, mentored over 130 students , and received numerous awards, including a prestigious recognition from the American Water Resources Association.

The Utah Water Research Laboratory is one of the first and largest university-based water research facilities in the United States. For over 60 years, it has been a national leader in water and environmental research and is widely recognized as one of the most respected facilities of its kind. The lab supports a community of 150 faculty, staff, and students, with around 49 funded graduate research assistantships and 180 active research projects.

The lab addresses the state's most pressing water and environmental challenges, while strengthening partnerships with state agencies. Their research aims to answer foundational questions and provide science-based data to guide decisions and support sound public policy. Collaborating with faculty and students across USU and throughout the state, the lab tackles issues such as groundwater and surface water management in water-limited basins, water quality issues like emerging contaminants and harmful algal blooms, and the complexities of water measurement and aging infrastructure.

"One of Utah's most pressing concerns is water availability and security," says Neilson. Those concerns are driven by ongoing drought and changes to snowpack and rainfall patterns that increase the risk of both water shortages and flooding. Rapid population growth adds to the pressure, making it harder to balance water allocation. "These challenges are complex and can't be solved overnight," Neilson adds, "But with focused research and strong partners with focused objectives, we can explore new and effective ways to build a sustainable future for water."

With Neilson at the helm, the lab continues to work with diverse university, local, and state collaborators to better understand natural and built water systems, develop innovative solutions, and provide research-based guidance that helps communities, policymakers, and industries make smarter decisions for Utah's future.

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Writer: Madeline Buskirk, madeline.buskirk@usu.edu, 435-797-7512

Contact: Bethany Neilson, bethany.neilson@usu.edu, 435-797-7369