The Columbia Environmental Research Center, is located on a 33-acre site two miles southeast of Columbia, MO. The relatively mild climate is conducive to year-round outdoor studies. The heart of CERC is a 26,000 ft² building with a central wet laboratory. Specialized research buildings provide an additional 83,000 ft² devoted to aquatic toxicology and chemistry, ecology; geographical information systems (GIS); fish, amphibian, and invertebrate culture; analytical chemistry; contaminated sediment and hazardous chemical testing; sample processing and identification; computer facilities; technical library services; and conference facilities. Two 1,100-ft deep wells provide an uncontaminated source of clean, moderately hard water suitable for maintaining both cold- and warm water fishes, and invertebrates. The water supply facilities are capable of formulating test waters that simulate a wide range of environmental conditions, from acid-sensitive lakes and streams to saline estuaries.

CERC is the only USGS research laboratory capable of conducting research on highly toxic compounds, such as dioxin. A 4,000-ft² hazard assessment laboratory permits investigations of highly toxic chemicals that are too hazardous to test in a normal laboratory setting. This building also houses an effluent treatment system.

The Environmental Technology Center (ETC), completed in October 1995 houses the Center's Information Technology, GIS stations, computer services, Office of Outreach, and graphics and audiovisual services. In addition, established in 1968, CERC has a library located on the site.

Facilities are augmented by small ponds that are used to investigate the intricate relationships among organisms in freshwater habitats. Three constructed streams are used to study plant and animal communities in flowing waters. In addition, CERC has mobile research laboratories used for on-site evaluation of contaminants. Field investigations are conducted onsite, and CERC researchers conduct specialized toxicological and ecological studies in various Field Research Stations throughout the central United States. For the process of biological discovery, CERC is organized into science branches each with specific expertise used in building investigative teams.