After NOAA

Living with Living with FloodsFloods

Special InitiativeSpecial Initiative

ContextContext

The 2008 Flood and its ImpactsThe 2008 Flood and its ImpactsFlood 1993 White House StudyFlood 1993 White House Study

NSF NSF and Water-Related Initiatives:and Water-Related Initiatives:

CUAHSICUAHSIWATERSWATERS

Dynamics of Water Processes Dynamics of Water Processes in the Environmentin the Environment

Research Facilities Research Facilities and Intellectual and Intellectual

ResourcesResources

Living with Floods Living with Floods InitiativeInitiative

CUAHSI

Goal:““To predict water availability and quality to support To predict water availability and quality to support

sustainable development under the threat of sustainable development under the threat of significant human-induced change, enabled by significant human-induced change, enabled by advances in distributed sensing and advances in distributed sensing and cyberinfrastructure.”cyberinfrastructure.”

CUAHSI (2007): “CUAHSI: Hydrology of a Dynamic Earth - A decadal CUAHSI (2007): “CUAHSI: Hydrology of a Dynamic Earth - A decadal research plan for hydrologic science,” Consortium of Universities for the research plan for hydrologic science,” Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of the Hydrologic Sciences, Inc. (http://www.cuahsi.org)Advancement of the Hydrologic Sciences, Inc. (http://www.cuahsi.org)

Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Science Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Science

“ “ […] will transform our scientific understanding of Earth's water and […] will transform our scientific understanding of Earth's water and related biogeochemical cycles and human water use. Networked related biogeochemical cycles and human water use. Networked sensors, assimilation of high-frequency data and interdisciplinary sensors, assimilation of high-frequency data and interdisciplinary experimentation will enable forecasting and management of critical experimentation will enable forecasting and management of critical water processes affecting and affected by human activities across water processes affecting and affected by human activities across multiple spatial and temporal scales. The WATERS Network will multiple spatial and temporal scales. The WATERS Network will revolutionize the way we perform research and how we educate revolutionize the way we perform research and how we educate future scientists across disciplines, and it will improve the public's future scientists across disciplines, and it will improve the public's understanding and concern for the dynamic water cycle.”understanding and concern for the dynamic water cycle.”

The The WATWATer and er and EEnvironmental nvironmental RResearch esearch SSystems Network ystems Network

WATERS (2008): “Science, Education and Design Strategy,” WATERS (2008): “Science, Education and Design Strategy,” WATWATer and er and EEnvironmental nvironmental RResearch esearch SSystems ystems NetworkNetwork (Draft February 2008), (Draft February 2008), WATERS Network Headquarters, (http://www.watersnet.org/)WATERS Network Headquarters, (http://www.watersnet.org/)

PUB: Science PlanPUB: Science Plan

Sivapalan, M., Takeuchi, K., Franks, S., Gupta, V., Karambiri, H., Lakshmi, V., Liang, X., Sivapalan, M., Takeuchi, K., Franks, S., Gupta, V., Karambiri, H., Lakshmi, V., Liang, X., McDonnell, J., Mendiondo, E., O’Connell, P., Oki, T., Pomeroy, J., Schertzer, D., Uhlenbrook, S., McDonnell, J., Mendiondo, E., O’Connell, P., Oki, T., Pomeroy, J., Schertzer, D., Uhlenbrook, S., and Zehe, E., IAHS decade on predictions in ungauged basins (PUB), 2003-2012: Shaping an and Zehe, E., IAHS decade on predictions in ungauged basins (PUB), 2003-2012: Shaping an exciting future for the hydrologic sciences, Hydrological Sciences Journal, 48(6), 857-880, 2003.exciting future for the hydrologic sciences, Hydrological Sciences Journal, 48(6), 857-880, 2003.

Prediction in Ungauged BasinsPrediction in Ungauged Basins

International Association of Hydrological SciencesInternational Association of Hydrological SciencesAssociation internationale des sciences hydrologiquesAssociation internationale des sciences hydrologiques

Due to the non-stationarity of climate and the ever increasing human impact on Due to the non-stationarity of climate and the ever increasing human impact on the environment past data are not very relevant for decision about the future the environment past data are not very relevant for decision about the future behavior of the hydrologic system. Therefore, all basin are could be considered behavior of the hydrologic system. Therefore, all basin are could be considered to be ungauged.to be ungauged.

Community Science GoalsCommunity Science Goals

• Linking the hydrosphere and biosphereLinking the hydrosphere and biosphere

• Scaling the multidisciplinary processes to Scaling the multidisciplinary processes to address local, regional and global stresses address local, regional and global stresses

• Predicting the effects of human impacts Predicting the effects of human impacts and climate change on water resourcesand climate change on water resources

The Role of Floods!The Role of Floods!

From 2009 Budget Request:From 2009 Budget Request:

““Although the movement of water links natural systems and human Although the movement of water links natural systems and human social systems, there are many gaps in our basic scientific social systems, there are many gaps in our basic scientific understanding of water dynamics. We still know very little about the understanding of water dynamics. We still know very little about the effects of climate change and resulting changes in human interventions effects of climate change and resulting changes in human interventions and land use on the availability and quality of fresh water.and land use on the availability and quality of fresh water. One of the greatest environmental and economic challenges we face One of the greatest environmental and economic challenges we face this century is to ensure an adequate, high-quality water supply for this century is to ensure an adequate, high-quality water supply for human use while maintaining the integrity of ecosystems. While human use while maintaining the integrity of ecosystems. While humans can survive without petroleum, they can't survive without humans can survive without petroleum, they can't survive without water.”water.”

Arden L. Bement, Jr.Arden L. Bement, Jr.Director of the National Science FoundationDirector of the National Science Foundation

From 2009 Budget Request:From 2009 Budget Request:

““NSF will initiate a program, Dynamics of Water Processes in the NSF will initiate a program, Dynamics of Water Processes in the Environment, to increase fundamental understanding of the Earth's Environment, to increase fundamental understanding of the Earth's freshwater systems, and our ability to predict dynamic changes in freshwater systems, and our ability to predict dynamic changes in freshwater resources. NSF investigators are already breaking new freshwater resources. NSF investigators are already breaking new ground in mitigating the degradation of aquatic systems and coping with ground in mitigating the degradation of aquatic systems and coping with extreme floods.extreme floods.

This investment will improve the reliability of water forecasting for such This investment will improve the reliability of water forecasting for such important uses as agriculture, forest and fisheries management, energy important uses as agriculture, forest and fisheries management, energy production, human health, transportation, and manufacturing.production, human health, transportation, and manufacturing.Our Water investment complements the U.S. Geological Survey's water Our Water investment complements the U.S. Geological Survey's water initiative. We hope that by collaborating we can maximize overall initiative. We hope that by collaborating we can maximize overall knowledge while minimizing costs.”knowledge while minimizing costs.”

Arden L. Bement, Jr.Arden L. Bement, Jr.Director of the National Science FoundationDirector of the National Science Foundation

2008 Iowa Flood Losses:2008 Iowa Flood Losses:

1.1. AgricultureAgriculture $4B$4B

2.2. Cedar RapidsCedar Rapids $1B$1B

3.3. University of IowaUniversity of Iowa $50M$50M

4.4. Other communitiesOther communities ??????(early estimates)(early estimates)

Research capability at Iowa State University to contribute to any agricultural components

Living with FloodsLiving with Floods

Scientific Challenges, Scientific Challenges, Hypotheses, and QuestionsHypotheses, and Questions

Overarching QuestionsOverarching QuestionsHow can the diverse threads of research be woven together; i.e., how can How can the diverse threads of research be woven together; i.e., how can findings generated through one thread of research be used to inform research findings generated through one thread of research be used to inform research in the others?  And how can they all be woven together to influence action on in the others?  And how can they all be woven together to influence action on the ground?the ground?

Hypothesis: The effects of human-induced land use changes have similar effect on the global hydrologic cycle as global climate change.

Question: How are the two connected and what is the role of floods in both?

Hydrologic ScienceHydrologic Science

Question: How are the regional statistics of annual floods related to physical processes governing rainfall-runoff events in river networks and to global hydro-climates ranging from arid to humid regions? We need a Theory of Floods.

Question: How can we improve the current capabilities to accurately anticipate flow routing through river networks during floods?

Challenge: Explore the potential of Computational Fluid Mechanics applied to real-size river basin systems.  Hypothesis: A comprehensive, adaptive flood mitigation strategy using a combination of permanent and temporary measures + flood relief ponds will considerably limit the detrimental socio-economic impacts of floods 

Hydraulic & Hydrologic EngineeringHydraulic & Hydrologic Engineering

In wide areas along waterways the flooding is likely to drastically altered habitat In wide areas along waterways the flooding is likely to drastically altered habitat composition, mainly by setting back the successional process of plant composition, mainly by setting back the successional process of plant communities.  Such changes in plant communities are likely to drastically alter the communities.  Such changes in plant communities are likely to drastically alter the composition of the animal component of biological communities with unknown composition of the animal component of biological communities with unknown consequences. For example, do changes induced by flooding alter food sources or consequences. For example, do changes induced by flooding alter food sources or other critical resources important to groups of organisms such as migratory birds other critical resources important to groups of organisms such as migratory birds that use the Mississippi Flyway? Flooding is also one of nature's greatest dispersal that use the Mississippi Flyway? Flooding is also one of nature's greatest dispersal agents of organisms and it likely that the distribution of many species will be agents of organisms and it likely that the distribution of many species will be greatly altered, potentially affecting the composition and function of their new greatly altered, potentially affecting the composition and function of their new communities. communities.

BiologyBiology

Background: “… understanding ….how …ecosystems are naturally regulated has Background: “… understanding ….how …ecosystems are naturally regulated has eluded … ecologists…. especially in river networks because they are open systems eluded … ecologists…. especially in river networks because they are open systems whose physical structure changes dramatically over many spatial & temporal scales*”.whose physical structure changes dramatically over many spatial & temporal scales*”. Hypothesis: An extreme flood is the primary large-scale regulator of river network Hypothesis: An extreme flood is the primary large-scale regulator of river network biogeochemical processes and aquatic species abundance & distribution. biogeochemical processes and aquatic species abundance & distribution.

Aquatic EcologyAquatic Ecology

*Thorpe, J. H., M. C. Thoms, and M. D. Delong. 2006. The Riverine Ecosystem Synthesis: Biocomplexity in River Networks Across Space and Time. River Research and Applications, 22:123-147.

Questions:Questions:

1) What are the immediate physical and chemical flood effects that effect & 1) What are the immediate physical and chemical flood effects that effect & shape different aquatic communities?shape different aquatic communities?

2) At what rate do these factors decrease in importance over time & space?2) At what rate do these factors decrease in importance over time & space?

3) Can these factors be managed to obtain the ecologically beneficial 3) Can these factors be managed to obtain the ecologically beneficial effects of flood pulses, but without the damaging impacts to society?effects of flood pulses, but without the damaging impacts to society?

Explore adaptable, inexpensive sensor networks combined with on-site computing capabilities and effective communication over appropriate distances that can help in monitoring and forecasting flood and their impacts .

CyberinfrastructureCyberinfrastructure

Design and assembly a mobile fast-response facility for in-situ acquisition of physical and biochemical data unique to floods events (as a complex natural-social phenomenon).  Measurements protocol should include Eulerian and Langrangian tracking of the processes.

Challenges:

Emphasizing the inherent multi-disciplinarity of the natural processes in each specialized curriculum

Promoting team-work and societal-oriented activities to enhance the community response to extreme events

Enabling Citizen Science (WATERS)

CurriculumCurriculum

To rebuild, or to move: that is the question. What do we need to know to decide? To rebuild, or to move: that is the question. What do we need to know to decide?

(Socio) Economics(Socio) Economics

Challenge: Design, deploy and operate a real-world observatory for studying floods and their impacts in a comprehensive environmental context of the critical zone (part of the WATERS scope)

Environmental EngineeringEnvironmental Engineering

Transport and Deposition of ToxicsTransport and Deposition of Toxics

Metal PlatingAgricultural Pollutants

Wastewater Pollutants

Ethylene Glycol Production(normally treated by now inoperational WWTP)

Power Plant Cooling Pond (PCBs + otherOrganic and metal contaminants)

What is the origin of sediments found in streams during floods? We do not know how much (volumetrically) sediment comes from uplands, streambanks and streambed. Need to use organic tracers and radionuclides.

Environmental ScienceEnvironmental Science

Gaining understanding of the feedback process, and its potential optimization, between flood events and land use decision-making. Land use decisions are made in both flood-generating areas (e.g., via agricultural policy, flood plain development) and flood-impact areas (e.g., urban floodplain infrastructure, flooded cropland).  The feedbacks include social, economic, and regulatory responses to floods and indicators of how people "live with floods" that, in turn, affect land use decisions at the individual and public policy level.  Decision making questions would cross scales and be geographically explicit (upstream vs. downstream; urban vs. rural). 

Contributions of geographic information science - including remote sensing, GIS, and geographic visualization - to efforts in hydrological modeling by examining the general spatial relations and effective representation of hydrological drivers and responses. The GIScience issues would also include modeling dynamic human networks (e.g., road and social networks) under episodes of stress as part of the feedback study.

GeographyGeography

Question:

Roughly 20 blocks of downtown Cedar Rapids and more than 24,000 of its citizens were displaced by the Cedar River flood, and several neighborhoods and 20 University of Iowa buildings were severely affected by the Iowa River flood. Consequently, both downtown Cedar Rapids and the University of Iowa face difficult planning questions. Most important, how can they best prepare for equivalent or worse floods in the future? Should they relocate major buildings and economic activities out of the floodplain? Or, if the costs of doing that are too high, what pragmatic adjustments can they take to protect existing buildings from future flooding? Can recent flood recovery efforts in other medium-sized cities and universities (both in the U. S. and in Europe) provide useful guidance?

Urban & Regional PlanningUrban & Regional Planning

Are there acute and/or chronic health effects associated with exposure to chemical contaminants in flood waters?  Are there differences between the Cedar River basin and the Iowa River basin?

Are there acute and/or chronic health effects associated with exposure to microbiological contaminants in flood waters?  Are there differences between the Cedar River basin and the Iowa River basin?

What variations, if any, in content and concentration of chemical and/or microbiological contaminants are evident in deposited sediments in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City.  Is this different than Des Moines?

Does exposure to sediments cause higher risk than exposure to water?  Is the greater risk due to airborne sediments rather than waterborne sediments? 

Are costs associated with constructing natural flood barriers with concomitant redesign of urban floodplains greater than healthcare costs associated with “business as usual” strategy (i.e., rebuilding as before)?

Will this catastrophic event exacerbate or attenuate gulf hypoxia?

Public HealthPublic Health

Question: How do communities respond to floods?

Social ScienceSocial Science

Is the University ready for the initiative?

Living with FloodsLiving with Floods

Yes, we are!

S&T Resources for Flood S&T Resources for Flood ResearchResearch

• College of EngineeringCollege of Engineering• IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering facilitiesIIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering facilities• Center for Global & Regional Environmental Center for Global & Regional Environmental

ResearchResearch• Clear Creek (physical and digital) watershed is a Clear Creek (physical and digital) watershed is a

WATERS observatoryWATERS observatory• WATERS Network Project Office Co-DirectorWATERS Network Project Office Co-Director• Hydro-NEXRAD is an ITR projectHydro-NEXRAD is an ITR project• Mobile network of X-band polarimetric radars (MRI)Mobile network of X-band polarimetric radars (MRI)• LiDAR mapping of the Iowa river and Clear CreekLiDAR mapping of the Iowa river and Clear Creek• ……and much, much more….and much, much more….

Health-Related Resources for Health-Related Resources for Flood ResearchFlood Research

• Center for Health Effects of Environmental Center for Health Effects of Environmental ContaminationContamination

• University Hygienic LaboratoryUniversity Hygienic Laboratory• Iowa Cancer RegistryIowa Cancer Registry• Iowa Registry for Congenital and Inherited Iowa Registry for Congenital and Inherited

DisordersDisorders• College of Public HealthCollege of Public Health• Department of Civil and Environmental Department of Civil and Environmental

EngineeringEngineering• ……and much, much more….and much, much more….

Thank You!Thank You!