Stormwater Research Facility

Michael Perez
Michael Perez
Director, Stormwater Research Facility

 

The Stormwater Research Facility
Instruction within cm3
Innovating stormwater management through research, education and product evaluation

 

The Stormwater Research Facility
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Research Projects and >$9M in Research Funding
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Workshop Participants
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Undergraduate Students Trained

About the Center

The Auburn University – Stormwater Research Facility (AU-SRF) is an internationally recognized 12-acre outdoor laboratory dedicated to conducting full-scale evaluations to improve practices used to manage stormwater runoff. This facility engages professionals in the stormwater industry through research, product testing and development, and hands-on educational events.

The AU-SRF was established in 2006 through a collaboration between Auburn University’s Highway Research Center and the Alabama Department of Transportation. It operates within the Auburn University Highway Research Center at the National Center for Asphalt Technology Pavement Test Track in Opelika, Alabama.

The AU-SRF leads the development of practical, engineering-driven stormwater solutions that are recognized as best practices in the field. Through hands-on training opportunities, workshops, and field days, the facility helps bridge the gap between theory and real-world application. These efforts empower stormwater professionals, policymakers, and local communities to adopt effective, science-backed practices that improve water quality and protect natural resources.

AU-SRF Site
Contact AU-SRF

  • One of the largest outdoor stormwater research laboratories in the world.

  • The AU-SRF works with local, state, and federal partners, including the National Cooperative Highway Research Program; U.S. Federal Highway Administration; U.S. Department of Agriculture; U.S. Geological Survey; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Alabama Department of Transportation; Iowa Department of Transportation; Nebraska Department of Transportation; Ohio Department of Transportation; and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

  • Research findings have led to new standards and best practices being adopted by state agencies across the country.

  • The AU-SRF conducts a variety of ASTM-based testing for the stormwater industry.

  • The annual Erosion and Sediment Control Installer Training and Field Day events bring in more than 200 stormwater professionals for training and education.

  • In addition to the 12-acre outdoor facility, the AU-SRF operates a 2,500-square-foot training center and a 2,000-square-foot wet laboratory in the Harbert Engineering Center.