VT Stream Research, Education and Management (StREAM) Lab is a unique, world-class research center focused on understanding the interactions of natural and human systems. The intense upland urban and agricultural influences on the natural Stroubles Creek watershed system provide an ideal setting for downstream observations of the effects of further human development, stormwater management, and community stewardship behavior on water quality and aquatic ecology. StREAM Lab provides faculty and students with unique opportunities to concurrently conduct research, education, and outreach just kilometers from campus.
​How it All Started
With funding from VDEQ we designed and installed a stream restoration project along ~1.3 miles of Stroubles Creek at the Heth Farm in 2009-2010. We did some research and monitoring prior to the restoration, but afterwards we got serious.

Research

A Unique Laboratory
Intersection of Stroubles Creek-Blacksburg-VT provides perfect situation to study interface between human/natural system.

Education

Resource for Classes
Utilized by more than TWENTY classes across FIVE colleges and NINE departments at Virginia Tech.

Management

Public Resource
Real-time monitoring available via website for research, education, and outreach. Helps inform local community.