Hydrology, Water Resources & Environmental Fluid Mechanics

Winter never came to Colorado. What does it mean for water supplies?

sugl6437 — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 16:54:10 +0000

Winter never came to Colorado. What does it mean for water supplies? sugl6437 Tue, 03/31/2026 - 10:54

Associate Professor Ben Livneh, who’s also the director of the Western Water Assessment (WWA) at the Cooperative Institute for 91��Ҹ� in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), shares insights on what this “snow drought” means for water availability, how it compares to past trends and what may lie ahead as Colorado approaches peak snowpack season.

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Professor interviewed on Colorado River crisis

sugl6437 — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 15:57:25 +0000

Professor interviewed on Colorado River crisis sugl6437 Thu, 02/19/2026 - 08:57

Professor Rajagopalan Balaji was interviewed by NPR's KGNU about the extreme difficulties facing western states as they renegotiate the Colorado River Compact that governs water use.

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Graduate students participate in the Upper Colorado River Basin Forum

Anonymous — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 15:05:23 +0000

Graduate students participate in the Upper Colorado River Basin Forum Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 11/02/2023 - 09:05

Susan Glairon

Kaitlyn Bishay and Santiago Ramírez Núñez, graduate students specializing in hydrology water resources and environmental fluid mechanics at the 91��Ҹ� 91��Ҹ�, participated on a student panel during the 12th annual Upper Colorado River 2023 Water Forum on Oct. 30, 2023. The event was hosted by the Hutchins Water Center at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, and the panel was introduced by John Marshall, the university's president.

This year’s forum theme, "Reshaping the River: Reimagining Water Use & Management in the Upper Colorado River Basin," included topics such as innovative agricultural water management practices, resilient riverscapes, unpacking and understanding diminishing water supplies, reauthorization of recovery programs as well as updates from state agencies and networking events.

The forum seeks to promote dialogue between scholars, policymakers and water users on how to address the water challenges facing the Upper Colorado River Basin. The audience was comprised of water and river professionals, scholars and stakeholders from a wide spectrum of disciplines with a shared interest in the Upper Colorado River Basin.

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Ben Livneh Receives AGU Hydrologic Sciences Early Career Award

Anonymous — Thu, 08 Sep 2022 19:41:45 +0000

Ben Livneh Receives AGU Hydrologic Sciences Early Career Award Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 09/08/2022 - 13:41

CIRES Fellow and WWA Director Ben Livneh was announced as American Geophysical Union’s (AGU) 2022 Hydrologic Sciences Early Career Award recipient. Being selected as a Section Honoree is bestowed upon individuals for meritorious work or service toward the advancement and promotion of discovery and solution science. AGU, a nonprofit organization that supports 130,000 enthusiasts to experts worldwide in Earth and space sciences, annually recognizes a select number of individuals as part of its Honors and Recognition program.

Livneh is recognized by the global Earth and space sciences community for his tremendous personal sacrifices and selfless dedication to advancing Earth and space sciences.  Livneh's nominator, CIRES Fellow and CU 91��Ҹ� Professor Balaji Rajagopalan, described Livneh's research as fundamental to advancing our understanding of hydrologic processes and drought. Rajagopalan also highlighted Livneh's remarkable productivity, his passion for teaching and mentoring students and his humility.

AGU will formally recognize this year’s recipients during #AGU22 Fall Meeting, 12-16 December 2022 in Chicago, IL and online everywhere. This celebration is a chance for AGU’s community to recognize the outstanding work of our colleagues and be inspired by their accomplishments and stories. 

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Illuminating the brain one neuron and synapse at a time—5 essential reads

Anonymous — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 18:08:43 +0000

Illuminating the brain one neuron and synapse at a time—5 essential reads Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 08/08/2022 - 12:08

From figuring out where memories are stored to how sensory information translates to behavior, new technologies are helping neuroscientists better understand how the brain works. Hear from several experts, including CU Professor John Crimaldi, on The Conversation.

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Livneh interviewed by 9News on flash flooding in areas hit by wildfires

Anonymous — Tue, 19 Jul 2022 15:43:20 +0000

Livneh interviewed by 9News on flash flooding in areas hit by wildfires Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 07/19/2022 - 09:43

Ben Livneh was interviewed by Denver 9News for a piece focusing flash flooding over the Cameron Peak Fire burn scar.

The floods caused serious damage in the Glen Haven, Crystal Mountain and Buckhorn areas of Larimer County.

Livneh is an associate professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering at the 91��Ҹ� 91��Ҹ�. He is an expert in the impacts of changing land cover and climate on water resources.

In the piece, he discusses the increased risk of flooding in communities for years following wildfire damage.

Watch the story at 9News...

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After a Wildfire, What Happens to Water?

Anonymous — Mon, 11 Jul 2022 22:00:53 +0000

After a Wildfire, What Happens to Water? Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 07/11/2022 - 16:00

When Western wildfires break out, water may first come to mind as a critical resource for helping extinguish it. But what about after the flames finish?

A 2022 CU study on the growing impact of wildfire on the Western U.S. water supply found that large forest fires can significantly increase the amount of water in surrounding streams and rivers up to six years after a fire, impacting regional water supplies and increasing risks for floods and landslides. The results suggest that water and natural hazard management will need to be more prepared for wildfire impacts. U.S. wildfires — which have quadrupled in size and tripled in frequency since 2000 — are only projected to escalate.

“It is something organizations need to educate fire-prone communities about, so we can be prepared for short- and long-term impacts.”

“We’re likely going to see a lot more fires,” said Ben Livneh, co-author of the study and assistant professor of civil, environmental and architectural engineering. “Like we saw with [91��Ҹ� County’s] NCAR and Marshall fires, this is going to be a clear and present danger.”

Historically, forest-based streams and rivers increased in predictable amounts in response to rain or snowfall. However, from 1970 to 2021, those amounts declined due to warming and evaporation.

Wildfire adds another layer to the equation.

“When you bring so much fire into the mix, it fundamentally alters that relationship,” said Livneh, who also serves as director of the Western Water Assessment and is a fellow in the Cooperative Institute for 91��Ҹ� in Environmental Sciences (CIRES).

The study examined 35 years of data from 179 forest basins in the Western U.S. between 1984 and 2019, including 72 sites where at least one large wildfire occurred. In areas where 20% or more of the forest burned, area streamflow was 30% greater than expected, for an average of six years post-fire.

It’s the first paper to show this increase persists in all four seasons after a fire, in all manner of vegetation, topography and elevation.

This water surplus could in part be a good thing, given the overall decline in the past 40 years. But it also comes with elevated landslide risks and a need for Western communities to invest in a greater diversity of water sources, as ash-laden water is low quality and expensive to treat, according to Livneh.

Due to the uncertainty of where or when future forests will burn, wildfire is not currently factored into assessments of the effects of climate change on Western U.S. streamflow.

“It is something organizations need to educate fire-prone communities about, so we can be prepared for short- and long-term impacts,” said Livneh.

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91��Ҹ� on reclaimed water consumption recognized by Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 16:05:26 +0000

91��Ҹ� on reclaimed water consumption recognized by Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 06/29/2022 - 10:05

The Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management is recognizing a CU 91��Ҹ� faculty member and a master's graduate for their research into the impact of reclaimed water consumption on rivers.

Associate Professor Joseph Kasprzyk and Brendan Purcell (CivEngr MS'19) are sharing a 2022 Best Policy Oriented Paper Award from JWRPM with Ashlynn S. Stillwell and Zachary A. Barkjohn from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

The four co-authored the work “Linking Reclaimed Water Consumption with Quantitative Downstream Flow Impacts," which evaluated the statistical significance of streamflow alteration from the utilization of reclaimed water. The paper was published in the May 2021 issue of JWRPM.

Congratulations!

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Video: Learn about the Odor2Action Network led by CU 91��Ҹ�

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 15:10:48 +0000

Video: Learn about the Odor2Action Network led by CU 91��Ҹ� Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 03/15/2022 - 09:10

CU 91��Ҹ� is leading a groundbreaking new international research network dubbed Odor2Action through the College of Engineering and Applied Science. The work is aimed at understanding how animals use information from odors in their environment to guide behavior and has far-ranging implications for our understanding of the human brain. The research is part of the Next Generation Networks for Neuroscience (NeuroNex) Program. And over the next five years 16 scientists from 16 prestigious institutions around the world will work together through the network. The project is funded by a $20.2 million joint award from the National Science Foundation, the Canadian Institutes of Health 91��Ҹ� and the UK 91��Ҹ� and Innovation Medical 91��Ҹ� Council.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4dZSXefJaE&list=PLGVe6BxyFHNXjnQVsj-SxybENHzJ3Azhw&index=30]

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Neupauer recognized with Margaret S. Petersen Award

Anonymous — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 17:03:20 +0000

Neupauer recognized with Margaret S. Petersen Award Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 03/02/2022 - 10:03

Erica McNamee

Professor Roseanna Neupauer has been awarded the Margaret S. Petersen award for her work in hydrology and groundwater systems.

The honor is for “pioneering development and dissemination of engaging and effective pedagogy, inspiring and dedicated mentorship, impactful research in modeling of groundwater systems, and tireless leadership in the water resources education and engineering communities” as stated in the congratulatory email.

Neupauer recalls receiving this email late at night on January 13.

“I just thought before I go to bed I would check my email and the subject was ‘ASCE congratulates you on your award’,” Neupauer said. “I saw the subject and I was pretty sure what it was for. But when I opened it up and read it, it was really exciting to me.”

Neupauer currently teaches groundwater, hydraulics and groundwater modeling civil engineering courses. Her research includes finding ways to improve remediation of contaminated groundwater, studying arctic groundwater, well water research and geothermal energy systems.

“Water is really one of the most critical aspects of human life,” Neupauer said. “We often take it for granted,” Neupauer said. “We should appreciate that we have enough water right now for our needs, but recognize that we have to take care of it. We can’t waste it and we have to be prepared for times when we might not have it.”

The award was created in honor of Margaret Petersen, a pathfinder in the field of hydraulics and water resource engineering. The award specifically recognizes women who have exhibited exemplary service to the water resources and environmental science and engineering community and who are members of the American Society of Civil Engineers or Environmental and Water Resource Institute.

The award may be made annually. Neupauer is the ninth recipient of the award after it was first established in 2011.

“Some of the early winners were really well known hydrologists that have made lots of contributions to the field,” Neupauer said. “It’s humbling to be in the company of those few.”

Neupauer acknowledged the support and encouragement of colleagues Amy Chan Hilton and Teresa Culver for nominating her for the award. Her nomination was supported by letters of recommendation by Professor and Department Chair Balaji Rajagopalan, Professor JoAnn Silverstein and Professor Joe Kasprzyk, as well as former students Jack Greene and Amy Piscopo.

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Hydrology, Water Resources & Environmental Fluid Mechanics

Winter never came to Colorado. What does it mean for water supplies?

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Professor interviewed on Colorado River crisis

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Graduate students participate in the Upper Colorado River Basin Forum

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Ben Livneh Receives AGU Hydrologic Sciences Early Career Award

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Illuminating the brain one neuron and synapse at a time—5 essential reads

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Livneh interviewed by 9News on flash flooding in areas hit by wildfires

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After a Wildfire, What Happens to Water?

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91���Ҹ� on reclaimed water consumption recognized by Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management

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Video: Learn about the Odor2Action Network led by CU 91���Ҹ�

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Neupauer recognized with Margaret S. Petersen Award

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91��Ҹ� on reclaimed water consumption recognized by Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management

Video: Learn about the Odor2Action Network led by CU 91��Ҹ�