Lecture explores water modeling
Students gathered to listen to hydrology expert Dennis P. Lettenmaier speak about water modeling challenges Tuesday in the TSC Auditorium. The lecture covered many issues with modeling water runoff that he said need to be addressed.
“Given the history of Utah State in dealing with water issues, it’s great to be here to talk today,” Lettenmaier said.
Lettenmaier is a professor at the University of Washington, specialized in large-scale hydrology and hydrology climate interaction. This was his second visit to USU.
Lettenmaier talked about some of the weak links in hydrology and water movement analysis. These included over-reliance on models and inaccuracy of data sets, he said.
“There is no magical data set so you can collect all the parameters,” he said.
The lecture was part of the Water Initiative Series, hosted by the USU Water Initiative. Each lecture focuses on different areas relating to water. Hydrology, according to the dictionary, is “the science of dealing with the properties, distribution and circulation of water on and below the earth’s surface and in its atmosphere.”
Lettenmaier talked about major considerations in hydrological forecasting. These included climate change, urbanization and changes in vegetation.
“You only have to move the temperature just a little bit to get substantial (changes) in runoff,” Lettenmaier said. “Just half a degree alters runoff significantly.”
Change in runoff can be a significant factor for many areas, he said. He also said irregular runoff patterns can lead to drought or flooding conditions.
Hydrological forecasting and modeling are used to evaluate issues such as floods, droughts and contamination, he said. Lettenmaier named these as the “grand challenges” in hydrology.
The presentation moved quickly at a highly technical level, since many of the audience were well-versed in water science and water modeling techniques.
According to the Water Initiative’s Web site, the seminar series supports an interdisciplinary program. For information and other lecture times go to the USU Water Initiative Web site at wetwater.usu.edu.
–r.perkins@aggiemail.usu.edu