Flash floods can develop in minutes, leaving communities with little time to respond. Improving those forecasts and getting critical information to the people who need it most is one of the biggest challenges in operational hydrology.

In this episode, Dr. Katie van Werkhoven of RTI International discusses her work advancing flash flood forecasting through CIROH and her career bridging research and operations. She shares how new technologies, including artificial intelligence, improved forecasting tools and stronger partnerships with local stakeholders, are helping create faster, more actionable flood forecasts that can better protect lives and communities.

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Website: http://awi.ua.edu

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Dr. Jim Nelson, professor of civil and construction engineering at Brigham Young University, discusses hydroinformatics and its role in moving water research into real-world use. A pioneer in geospatial hydrologic modeling and visualization, Nelson shares how tools like the Watershed Modeling System, Tethys Platform and GEOGLOWS have helped engineers, hydrologists and decision-makers better understand water systems around the world. He also talks about the importance of collaboration, the future of AI in hydrology and why impactful research begins with understanding the problem people need to solve.

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About AWI

Website: http://awi.ua.edu

Join the conversation on AWI's social media:

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/alabama-water-institute

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Artificial intelligence and machine learning are rapidly changing the future of water forecasting, and Dr. Chaopeng Shen is helping lead that transformation. On this episode of the AWI Podcast, the Penn State professor discusses how AI can be combined with traditional physics-based hydrologic modeling to improve forecasting, strengthen operational hydrology, and support better decision-making during extreme water events. He also shares insights into the role of CIROH in advancing these technologies and preparing the next generation of water scientists for an increasingly data-driven future.

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About AWI

Website: http://awi.ua.edu

Join the conversation on AWI's social media:

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/alabama-water-institute

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlabamaWaterInstitute

X/Twitter: https://x.com/alabamawater

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alabama_water

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlabamaWaterInstitute