VAW: 90 years of pioneering research on water and ice
The Laboratory of Hydraulics, Hydrology and Glaciology at D-BAUG houses one of the largest research labs at ETH Zurich. Within an area of 1,500 square meters, experiments and teaching activities have been conducted for over 90 years. By closely linking basic and applied research, the laboratory is at the international forefront in the fields of hydraulic structures, eco-hydraulics, fluvial systems and glaciology. And just very recently, a patent was registered via ETH Transfer.
In April 1930, the Laboratory of Hydraulics, Hydrology and Glaciology (VAW) was officially inaugurated in the presence of two federal councilors and other political celebrities. Originally planned as a hydraulic engineering laboratory for demonstration purposes, the VAW has steadily developed its research and teaching activities over time.
Among other things, an advisory office for drinking water supply and wastewater treatment was temporarily added (core of EAWAG), a department for earthworks (core of the Institute for Geotechnical Engineering at D-BAUG), a department for hydrology, and an outpost on the Limmat river. Finally, in the early 1960s, the glaciology unit completed the present-day laboratory, which today includes the chair of hydraulic structures, as well as the professorships of glaciology and glacial seismology.
In addition to basic research, VAW maintains a wide range of cooperations with industry as well as governmental and private institutions. Only recently, the VAW registered a patent for a new type of fish guidance system. This specially designed bar rack helps downward migrating fish to safely bypass hydropower turbines and thus serves to protect fish. The fish guidance system was developed as part of the Horizon 2020 project "FIThydro" of the European Research Council and will now be tested in detail at the Herrentöbeli power plant on the Thur river for its fish guidance efficiency.
Hydraulic Engineering Symposium 2021
An international hydraulic engineering symposium in the fall of 2021 will provide an opportunity to celebrate VAW's 90th anniversary with experts from science, industry and practice.
