Crawford Hydrology Lab Mission
Crawford Hydrology Laboratory provides professional consulting and field and laboratory services regarding groundwater tracing in karst and non-karst areas.
We specialize in groundwater investigations with the use of fluorescent dyes and utilize techniques we have developed and enhanced over the past 38 years. We provide quality supplies and analysis for groundwater traces and conduct full field investigations. Crawford Hydrology Laboratory has extensive experience conducting dye trace investigations for commercial clients as well as government agencies.
- Nationally Leading Groundwater Tracing Laboratory
- Professional Environmental Consults
- Hydrogeological Studies
- Applied Science for Environmental Solutions
- National Park Service Research Partners
- Multi-disciplinary Approaches to Karst Challenges
- Webinars & Field Training
- Informal Environmental Education
- International Research Scholar Exchange Program
- Mammoth Cave Biosphere Region Advisory Council
- US Biosphere Network Working Group
- UNESCO Scientific Programs
- CaveMAB Network Coordination
Established in 1979, CHL provides a range of technical, field, and laboratory services to a diverse, national and international clientele, including federal, state, and local agencies, environmental consulting firms, students, and private citizens. The Center focuses on providing high-quality products and services to support a more holistic understanding of vulnerable water resources in karst and non-karst environments. We aim to provide clients and students with the necessary tools to inform critical resource management decisions.
The Center houses the Crawford Hydrology Lab (CHL), a nationally leading groundwater tracing laboratory. CHL conducts research and outreach with local, national, and international partners on a variety of water quality and applied environmental science projects. The Crawford Lab is active in supporting student research activities in karst through grant funding and assistance with project design and implementation. The CHL Research Grant Program provides two annual awards of up to $1000 each through a proposal competition open to 1) undergraduate and/or graduate researchers, and 2) NSS grottos and/or cave conservancy organizations. New in 2021, the Cave Research Fellowship is a cooperative program between CHL and The Mahurin Honors College in support of WKU Honors Students. The fellowship supports two student research positions per academic year to develop and execute a research project for the Capstone Experience/Thesis (CE/T).
Crawford Hydrology Lab Website
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