[2] The laboratory conducted research into the causes of changes in the course of rivers, estuaries, and coasts, and the possible influences on them due to hydraulic engineering activities, along with a range of studies on topics such as dredging, wave action and coastal morphodynamics.

[8] Thijsse's role on the Zuiderzee State Commission had introduced him to hydrodynamic model research, an innovative approach to understanding the dynamics of water.

[5] The impetus for the formation of the laboratory began in the 1920s, and lay in the design of the sluices for the Afsluitdijk, a significant project requiring extensive research and experimentation.

The task was initially assigned to Professor Theodor Rehbock at the Flussbaulaboratorium (river construction laboratory) at the Technical University of Karlsruhe, a major institute in the field of hydraulic engineering research at the time.

[9] This report was subject to review by Thijsse, who advised the Dutch authorities on the need for additional research of this type, not just for the Zuiderzee Works, but also for other projects across the Netherlands.

Thijsse spearheaded the initial research at the newly formed laboratory and documented the findings in a follow-up report to Rehbock's original study.

By the time of World War II, research had extended into model investigations of wave generation, with outcomes corroborating prototype data collected by Harald Sverdrup and Walter Munk.

[17][18] Throughout its history, the laboratory undertook national and international research on numerous civil and hydraulic engineering subjects including dredging technology,[19] density issues, pumps, and detailed structural studies on locks and weirs.

[20][21] International projects included the Belgian Port of Zeebrugge (1933–36), the cut-off of the Abidjan lagoon (1933–46),[4] and flood prevention works in Nottingham (1946–51).

Significant engineering figures who undertook research or served in senior positions with the Waterloopkundig Laboratorium included Eco Bijker (various roles including head of department, head of the de Voorst Laboratory, and deputy director),[34][35] Pieter Abraham van de Velde[36], Frank Spaargaren (interim general director, 1995–1997),[37][38] Krystian Pilarczyk (research engineer, 1966–1968),[39][40] and PJ Wemelsfelder, who undertook research at the facility and served as head of the Hydrometric Department.