Hydrological and Soil Erosion Modeling

 

 

Water Erosion Prediction Project: The Inland Pacific Northwest is an important agro-ecological zone with unique hydrological and sediment transport patterns. We employ the Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) model to simulate conditions in this semi-arid climate with high wheat, lentil, and chickpea cultivation.

Soil Moisture Routing Model: This model is currently aiding in the investigation of Forest Management in the Micah Creek watershed in Northern Idaho. Through a distributed process-based interpretation of the hillslopes we investigate the impact of clear cut, partial cut, on road construction on the stream discharge over several periods in the early 2000s.

 

Stable Water Isotopes

 

Hydrological Process investigations using 2H and 18O in the Palouse Region of the Inland Pacific Northwest:  This research aims to improve our understanding of the surface and subsurface components of the water balance in this snowmelt dominated region. We are working towards quantification of the subsurface pathways (vertical and lateral) and composition within stream networks over time throughout the snowfall-snowmelt-rainfall transition using deuterium and oxygen-18. Figure 3 from Sanchez-Murillo et al. 2015; Isotopes in Environmental and Health Studies.

Palouse Conservation District

 

System Dynamics modeling: With the time lags and feedbacks involved in farm management, erosion, and best management practices, we use analysis through System Dynamics to conceptualize these interconnections and temporal patterns for managed landscapes in the Palouse River Basin.

Conservation strategy development with Stakeholders: To better represent the real conditions, our research is engaging with local stakeholders and producers to establish and improve models that represent scenario and hypothesis testing of conservation practices.

Paccar Environmental Technology Building

Our research is housed in the PACCAR ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY BUILDING, a hub of interdisciplinary scientists working in composite materials, sustainable design, air and water, agriculture, and energy. Follow on twitter.

For more on these initiatives visit the WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY OFFICE OF CLEAN TECHNOLOGY webpage.