In North Texas, water can be both a lifeline and a threat. One season brings record drought; the next, flash floods that submerge roads and neighborhoods. For researchers at The University of Texas at Arlington's Water Engineering Research Center—WERC—those extremes define both their challenge and their purpose.
"Texas is growing fast—our population could double by 2050—but nobody brings their own water with them," said Nick Fang, the Robert S. Gooch Endowed Professor in Civil Engineering and founding director of WERC. "We need to plan for a future where there's sometimes too little water, sometimes too much and always a need to manage it sustainably."
Formed in 2024 with support from the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation and the College of Engineering, WERC brings together faculty across disciplines to tackle one of Texas' most urgent issues: building communities that can thrive amid climate extremes, urban growth and resource uncertainty.
Balancing drought and deluge
In a region that swings between drought and flood, WERC's mission spans both extremes of the hydrologic spectrum—from flood risk modeling and stormwater infrastructure design to water supply forecasting and drought resilience planning.
"North Texas faces a cycle of drought, flood, drought, flood," said Matt Lepinski, WERC's assistant program director. "Our goal is to turn that volatility into actionable information that communities and agencies can use for smarter planning and safer development."
The center's researchers and students are leading a project covering eight counties and 85 cities across the western Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. The study will produce state-of-the-art floodplain maps, evaluate infrastructure such as bridges and dams, and propose strategies to keep projected 2070 flood levels in line with those of 2020, despite anticipated development.
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"We want to make sure growth doesn't outpace safety," said Jerry Cottor, WERC's program director and former chief of water resources for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. "With more than 130 people moving into the region every day, runoff could increase by 25% to 35%. The science we're doing now can help communities design for that future instead of reacting to it."
From classroom to community impact
For Dr. Fang and his team, WERC is as much about training the next generation of engineers and planners as it is about research. Dozens of graduate and undergraduate students work alongside faculty and agency partners on real-world projects that blend civil engineering, data science and environmental policy.
"We're not just producing papers," Fang said. "We're producing professionals who can excel in a professional environment, interpret satellite data and recommend how to build a safer neighborhood. That's the kind of impact a research university should have."
WERC's collaborative ethos has attracted partnerships with federal and state agencies, local governments and industry groups.
Most recently, the center received grants from the Texas Water Development Board to study rainfall data, flooding and oil spills, helping the state better understand, plan for and respond to water-related challenges.
Daniel Li, an assistant professor of civil engineering and core member of WERC, explores how data, artificial intelligence and communication can transform the way people respond to environmental risk.
"We live in a world overflowing with data, but information alone doesn't save lives," Dr. Li said. "It's about how we tailor that information so it's understandable and usable—how we make complex flood or drought forecasts accessible to communities before disaster strikes."
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Li is always looking for new ways to visualize and share hazard data, from advanced satellite forecasting to intuitive public-facing dashboards to mobile alerts. By combining engineering insight with communication technology, he hopes to bridge the gap between researchers, policymakers and residents.
"If we can translate data into clear early-warning messages hours or even days in advance, we can help prevent tragedies," Li said. "That's the next frontier of civil engineering."
The center was recently recognized by the Texas Legislature in Senate Bill 2 (Special Session 89), an acknowledgment that places UTA among a select group of major water and disaster research centers statewide, including those at UT Austin, Texas A&M University, Rice University and Texas Tech.
Following July's devastating flood in Center Texas, Fang served on a panel of experts testifying before a joint hearing of the Texas Senate and House committees on disaster preparedness and flooding. He was selected for his nationally recognized expertise in hydrology and flood modeling.
Planning for Texas' future
Beyond flooding, WERC researchers are studying water-availability forecasting decades into the future. A recent paper projecting how Texas' water resources are expected to shift through 2070 drew attention from investors and policymakers alike.
"We want the center to become a think tank that guides planning and investment decisions—helping communities build safely, supporting responsible industry expansion and determining how we can make Texas more resilient," Fang said.
The team's vision extends beyond data modeling. Researchers are exploring AI-driven flood-warning systems, real-time monitoring of reservoirs, and energy-water nexus studies that link power generation and water supply.
"There's no shortage of data today," Lepinski said. "What matters is making sense of it and making sure it reaches the people who need it most."
From advising transportation officials on infrastructure standards to helping small towns manage floodplain permits, WERC's influence is growing across Texas. The center's long-term goal is to become a national hub for integrated water resources research, where science, policy and education converge.
"Every project we take on, we put our hearts and souls into it," Fang said. "That's why our sponsors keep coming back—because they know we deliver results that make a difference."
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a student body of over 42,700, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation's top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.
