11th IAHR International Symposium on Hydraulic Structures · ISHS2026
& 10th IAHR International Junior Researcher and Engineer Workshop on Hydraulic Structures · IJREWHS2026
Hydraulic Structures: Engineering Wisely and Responsibly with Nature
NEWS
21/05/2025: First anouncement will be released during the 41th IAHR World Congress.
Welcome Message from Chair of IAHR Committee on Hydraulic Structures
On behalf of the IAHR Technical Committee on Hydraulic Structures, it is my great pleasure to welcome you to the 11th IAHR International Symposium on Hydraulic Structures (ISHS2026) — a premier gathering of researchers, practitioners, and experts dedicated to advancing the science and practice of hydraulic structures.
This symposium serves as a vital platform for the exchange of knowledge, innovative ideas, and cutting-edge research in the field. As the demands on our water infrastructure grow ever more complex — from climate resilience and sustainable design to operational safety and environmental integration — the importance of global collaboration has never been greater.
The IAHR Hydraulic Structures Leadership Team are delighted to support this international forum taking place in Chengdu, where delegates from around the world will come together to share experiences, showcase new developments, and inspire one another. Whether you are a seasoned professional or an emerging researcher taking place in the junior workshop, we hope you find the symposium intellectually stimulating, professionally enriching, and personally rewarding.
Thank you for being part of this important event and community. We look forward to your contributions and to a successful, engaging, and impactful symposium.
On behalf of the Local Organizing Committee, it is my great honor to invite you to Chengdu, a living laboratory of hydraulic marvels where the 2,300-year-old Dujiangyan Irrigation System coexists with the world's highest dams down the Himalaya, to join us for the 11th IAHR International Symposium on Hydraulic Structures (ISHS2026) and the 10th IAHR International Junior Researcher and Engineer Workshop on Hydraulic Structures (IJREWHS2026), a dual platform uniting established experts and rising talents in hydraulic engineering.
Marking another Year of the Horse since the 35th IAHR World Congress in Chengdu, this gathering invites you to measure progress through a 12-year lens. Witness how the aspiring scholars at our 2013 Young Professionals Evening have blossomed into leading researchers at Sichuan University's State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, steering its mission from hydropower maximization to protecting river functions, aquatic environments and communities exposed to water disasters. Back then, we spoke little of artificial intelligence, and few could imagine visa-free travel to China for so many of you. Despite all changes, our hospitality remains as steadfast as ever.
We extend deepest gratitude to the IAHR Committee on Hydraulic Structures for entrusting us with this opportunity. Let’s explore the future of hydraulic engineering, bridge tradition and innovation, and forge collaborations that will shape water sustainability for generations to come. We look forward to meeting you at the panda's homeland where history flows into tomorrow!
Dr. Sean Mulligan
Chair of IAHR Committee on Hydraulic Structures
Prof. Xu Weilin
Chair of Local Organizing Committee
Welcome Message from Chair of Local Organizing Committee
Welcome Message from President of IAHR
On behalf of the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research (IAHR), I am delighted to invite you to attend the 11th IAHR International Symposium on Hydraulic Structures and the 10th IAHR International Junior Researcher and Engineer Workshop on Hydraulic Structures in Chengdu, a city where ancient heritage converges with cutting-edge innovation.
The choice of Chengdu is profoundly significant. Here in Southwest China, where more than half of the world's ten highest dams harness rivers for flood control and clean energy production, we witness both the monumental achievements of hydraulic engineering and the pressing challenges of our era. As AI transforms our tools and sustainability redefines our goals, we stand at a pivotal moment: How can the new technologies enhance dam safety and at the same time ensure hydro environments preservation and public participation?
The symposium will serve as a global platform to confront these questions. Through interdisciplinary dialogue, we aim to bridge the wisdom of established practices with the transformative potential of emerging tools. Chengdu, with its legacy of water management dating back to the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, reminds us that innovation is timeless.
Join us in shaping a future where hydraulic structures not only withstand nature’s forces but actively harmonize with them. Together, let us turn challenges into milestones.
Prof. Philippe Gourbesville
President of IAHR
CHENGDU, CHINA
Nestled in the heart of China’s Southwest, Chengdu is not only a gateway to cutting-edge advancements in hydraulic engineering but also a vibrant cultural gem that enchants visitors from around the globe. Chengdu’s profound connection to water management spans millennia. Just 50 kilometers from the city lies the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a marvel of ancient engineering.
Built in 256 BC, this ingenious project transformed the Min River’s turbulent flows into a lifeline for Sichuan’s fertile plains, showcasing sustainable water governance that remains operational today. As a hub for modern hydropower innovation, Chengdu sits at the doorstep of China’s most dynamic hydropower corridors, where towering dams and renewable energy research thrive alongside the region’s rivers and mountains. This unique blend of ancient wisdom and modern technology makes Chengdu an inspiring backdrop for discussions on resilient water infrastructure and climate adaptation. Read more
| 1 Aug 2025 | Abstract submission opens |
| 11 Oct 2025 | Abstract submission closes |
| 24 Jan 2026 | Full paper submission closes |
| 14 Mar 2026 | Online registration opens |
| 21 Mar 2026 | Revised paper submission closes |
| 3 May 2026 | Notification of full paper acceptance |
| 10 May 2026 | Early bird registration closes |
| 15 Jun 2026 | Online registration closes |
| 29 - 30 Jun 2026 | 11th ISHS |
| 1 Jul 2026 | Technical tours |
| 2 Jul 2026 | 10th IJREWHS |
| 3-4 Jul 2026 | Post-event technical tour |
ORGANIZERS
KEY DATES
Sichuan University is one of China's top universities. It is located in Chengdu, a famous historical and cultural capital city of Sichuan Province. It consists of three campuses: Wangjiang, Huaxi and Jiang'an. It was not only one of the first universities in the western tradition, but also one of the pioneering universities to offer postgraduate programs in China. Read more
The State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, as one of the earliest labs in China that engages in the research of inland water resources and hydropower engineering, was constructed in 1988. Currently, the major focuses of research of the laboratory include 1) mountain river evolution and function protection, 2) mountain river ecological conservation and management, 3) mountain river disaster prevention and risk control. Read more
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Contact us via ishs2026@163.com for ISHS2026 inquires and ijrewhs2026@163.com for IJREWHS2026 inquires