Founded in 1984 to develop national expertise in the related fields of Industrial, Civil, Mining and Cleaning applications of High Pressure Waterjets, the High Pressure Waterjet Laboratory in the Rock Mechanics and Explosives Research Center at the Missouri University of Science and Technology is now internationally recognized for its work.

Waterjets can be used in many environments where conventional methods are impractical; waterjets can commonly be observed in construction, maintenance, repair, cleaning, cutting and demolition work.

Waterjets were instrumental in the construction of Missouri S&T's Stonehenge Replica. The construction of the Missouri S&T Stonehenge marked a major milestone in mining history because it is the first major structure to have been carved with high pressure waterjets. It marks the beginning of a transition from mechanical excavation to hydraulic excavation.