The erst-while Mysore State was well known for its progressive outlook in planning works for the welfare of the people through the State Public Works Department. One of the able Engineers, Sri V.Ganesh Iyer, conceived a novel flood disposal device (Volute Syphon) for use in dams, for which he initiated and conducted pioneering studies at Krishnarajasagara. This ultimately led to the founding of a Hydraulics Research Station at Krishnarajasagara in 1944, under V.Ganesh lyer's honorary Directorship.

The Research Station has gradually grown in strength and expanded by diversifying its areas of activities. The small Hydraulic Research Station became the Mysore Engineering Research Station (M.E.R.S) encompassing other branches of engineering. In 1974 the name of the Research Station was changed to Karnataka Engineering Research Station (K.E.R.S). Today it ranks as one of the foremost among the twenty and odd such institutes of its kind in the country. The Research Station celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 1971, amidst wide appreciation. The commemoration of the Silver Jubilee was marked by the establishment of the Engineering Staff Training College at Krishnarajasagara, as part of the Karnataka Engineering Research Station. The institute being a State organisation mainly caters to the needs of irrigation and Public Works Departments. The Institute is largely dealing with field problems of applied research. Various projects in the State pose problems with regard to testing of hydraulic models, investigations for foundation on the materials required for construction of dams and other structure.

The K.E.R.S has rendered yeoman service to the Civil Engineering profession in assisting the successful fruition of almost all irrigation and hydro-electric schemes in the State. Studies on lining of irrigation canals, gauging of canals, tests on concrete and soils and analysis of water samples for irrigation or municipal supplies are some of the many areas in which the Research Station is involved. In addition, a number of basic studies have been taken up with the assistance of the Central Board of Irrigation and Power, Central Road Research Institute and Bureau of Indian Standards.