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

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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

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Early-career water scientists are stepping into a field that is both complex and critical, and finding the right support can make all the difference.

Dr. Juli Scamardo, an assistant professor at Utah State University and member of CIROH's early career working group, has experienced that transition firsthand. From her start studying rivers and floodplains to her current role in academia, she has navigated the challenges of building a research program, finding mentorship and connecting with the broader water community.

In this episode, Scamardo shares her path into hydrology, the role of CIROH in supporting early-career researchers and why community, collaboration and mentorship are essential for the next generation of water scientists.

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About AWI

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Dr. Jill Brown has built her career around a simple idea: data only matters if people can understand it, trust it and use it to make decisions.

An environmental communication researcher and data storyteller, Brown brings a background in social psychology, statistics and risk communication to her work translating complex information into something meaningful. From public health to environmental challenges, her focus is on helping organizations and communities move from data to action.

In this episode, Brown shares how she approaches data storytelling, why tailoring communication to different audiences is essential and how clearer messaging can lead to better decisions.

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About AWI:

Website: http://awi.ua.edu

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Dr. Rebecca Diehl of the University of Vermont joins the podcast to discuss how rivers and floodplains really work, and why that matters for flood risk and resilience. A CIROH collaborator, she shares how new floodplain mapping approaches, field data and geospatial tools are helping improve flood prediction and inform smarter decisions for communities facing more frequent flooding.

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About AWI:

Website: http://awi.ua.edu

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Dr. Ibrahim Demir, the Michael A. Fitts Presidential Chair in Environmental Informatics and Artificial Intelligence, and professor of river-coastal science and engineering at Tulane University, discusses how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we forecast floods, manage water resources, and communicate environmental risks.

Ibrahim's research focuses on using data-driven systems, machine learning, and digital twins to make hydrologic forecasting faster, smarter, and more accessible for communities everywhere.

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About AWI:

Website: http://awi.ua.edu

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Dr. Martyn Clark, professor of hydrology at the University of Calgary, joins the AWI Podcast to discuss hydrologic modeling and predicting where water will flow. Clark is a global leader in building advanced models that push environmental forecasting forward and help turn predictions into action.

The Alabama Water Institute and CIROH recently hosted the 20th anniversary of HEPEX — a global collaboration to improve hydrologic forecasting and its use in real-world decisions.

Visit HEPEX: https://hepex.org.au

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About AWI:

Website: http://awi.ua.edu

Join the conversation on AWI's social media:

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