Projects & research

For over 60 years WRL has bridged the gap between industry and academia. Combining professional engineers and scientists completing commercial projects for industry and government, with an academic team focused on high quality education and research.

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WRL researcher with a logo of Water Research Laboratory on his jacket amongst a wetland
AusCIN - Australian Coastline Imaging Network logo
AusCIN - Australian Coastline Imaging Network

The Australian Coastline Imaging Network, AusCIN, is a multi-year program under the CoastRI initiative, to establish permanent coastline monitoring infrastructure at priority reference sites around Australia.
Water Research Laboratory
Opotiki Harbour Development

WRL completed 2D, quasi-3D and full 3D physical modelling of twin 400 m long training wall breakwaters to stabilise a dynamic river mouth at Opotiki in New Zealand. The Harbour Development is the first river port to be constructed in over 100 years in New Zealand, and the first that uses "Hanbars" a armour unit common in Australia.
Entrance Channel - Clybucca monitoring research project
Clybucca monitoring

Clybucca Wetland is a 2,500 ha site that has been effected by acid sulfate soils and is prone to generating low-oxygen blackwater. Monitoring is required to establish baseline pre-rehabilitation conditions, as well as measure changes to the site following on-ground rehabilitation works.
Illustration by Anna Blacka, UNSW Water Research Laboratory
Cold water pollution: What is it, and how can we limit its impacts?

Cold water pollution is a serious environmental issue that affects river systems downstream of large storage dams. Dams are often fitted with offtakes that withdraw water from the deeper parts of the reservoir. In summer, increased air temperatures warm the water; however, this warming does not extend down into deep sections.
Dr Tommy Fellowes with the 3D wave basin model for the upgrades of Wellington Airport sea defences
Upgrades of Wellington Airport sea defences

Existing seawalls that were built 50–70 years ago, have reached the end of their natural lifespan and require an upgrade to protect critical infrastructure from erosion and sea level rise.

WRL completed 2D and 3D physical modelling to assess the complex coastal processes, optimise and validate the proposed upgrades.
UNSW Pipe Fishway logo small
Pipe Fishways for reconnecting fish passage in Australian rivers

A multidisciplinary research team from UNSW has been pioneering the development of pipe fishways. These systems are designed to provide cost-effective, adaptable, and reliable solutions for safe fish migration both upstream and downstream past barriers.
Oyster lease in the Merimbula Lake
Protecting oyster productivity through evidence-based decision making

WRL in partnership with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPRID) NSW Shellfish Program, led a large study to support evidence-based decision making on the closure of productive oyster harvest areas following sewage overflow events in NSW. 
Coastsnap at the beach
CoastSnap

CoastSnap is a low-cost community beach monitoring technology that turns your smartphone into a powerful coastal monitoring device. The aim of CoastSnap is to harness this incredible amount of information into something that can be useful for coastal communities for understanding how coastlines are changing through time.
Illustration by Anna Blacka, UNSW Water Research Laboratory
Climate change in NSW estuaries

Assessing the impacts and effect of climate change in estuaries is complex. To help estuarine managers and coastal communities navigate this complexity we have developed a multi-report guideline that details climate change, it’s role in estuaries, existing trends/pressures and the potential impacts.