Flooding in Ames: The Problems and Prospects
Panel Discussion
Wednesday, 13 Oct 2010 at 7:00 pm – Sun Room, Memorial Union
A panel of ISU faculty will discuss factors contributing to flooding in Ames as well as ways to reduce the impact of such events. Topics include what meteorological models tell us about climate change in Iowa, the implications of more frequent and intense flooding, how various mitigation options would affect the local hydrologic system, the effect of flooding on local water quality and quantity, and what we can learn from flood prevention efforts elsewhere in the state. Panelists include Bill Gutowski, Kristie Franz, and Bill Simpkins from Geological and Atmospheric Sciences and Stephen Jones from Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering. Their comments will be followed by questions from selected faculty and university and community representatives. The panel will then take questions from the audience. Peter Orazem, University Professor of economics and Ames city council member, will moderate.PowerPoint slides from this event are available upon request.
Panelists
William Gutowski, Geological and Atmospheric Sciences, conducts research on the hydrologic cycle and regional climate. His work includes regional climate models of North America, Africa, the Arctic and East Asia, with an emphasis on extreme precipitation processes in models and observations.
Kristie Franz, Geological and Atmospheric Sciences, has research and teaching interests in snow and rainfall-runoff modeling, climate and land use impacts on the hydrologic cycle, and streamflow and water supply forecasting.
Bill Simpkins, Geological and Atmospheric Sciences, is a hydrogeologist whose research interests include the groundwater in glacial deposits, agricultural groundwater quality, groundwater/lake interaction, and application of groundwater models to assess aquifer sustainability. He is currently researching the sustainability of water quantity and quality in the Ames aquifer.
Stephen Jones, Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, conducts research in pervious pavement systems, urban storm water management, and water quality.
Participating University and Community Representatives and Resource People
Dan Culhane has served as president and CEO of the Ames Chamber of Commerce and the Ames Economic Development Commission since 2006. He has led economic development groups in three different Iowa communities.
Matt Helmers is an associate professor and extension agricultural engineer in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, with a focus on agricultural water resources and tile drainage systems.
Dennis Keeney is a former director of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture (1988-2000) and emeritus professor of agronomy and agriculture and biosystems engineering at Iowa State. He writes a monthly column on environmental issues for the Ames Tribune.
Bob Kindred is the Ames Assistant City Manager and chair of the 1993 Flood Task Force that commissioned the Skunk River/Squaw Creek Flood Plain Management Study. He has thirty years of experience with Ames floods, public infrastructure, and land use issues.
Erwin Klaas is professor emeritus of animal ecology at Iowa State and chair of the Story County Soil and Water Conservation District.
Warren Madden is Vice President for Business and Finance at Iowa State. His responsibilities include planning and management, environmental health and safety, and risk management for university buildings, including the Iowa State Center and Reiman Gardens. He serves on the university’s leadership team during flood and severe weather conditions.
Max Porter is University Professor of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering. He researches structures; building codes; and environmental mitigation, including the inspection of hundreds of structures damaged by high water table, inadequate construction, and code violations.
Chris Rehmann is an associate professor of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering with interests in urban drainage, contaminant transport, and the engineering aspects of surface water and groundwater hydrology.
Cosponsored By:
- Committee on Lectures (funded by Student Government)
Stay for the entire event, including the brief question-and-answer session that follows the formal presentation. Most events run 75 minutes.
Sign-ins are after the event concludes. For lectures in the Memorial Union, go to the information desk in the Main Lounge. In other academic buildings, look for signage outside the auditorium.
Lecture Etiquette
- Stay for the entire lecture and the brief audience Q&A. If a student needs to leave early, he or she should sit near the back and exit discreetly.
- Do not bring food or uncovered drinks into the lecture.
- Check with Lectures staff before taking photographs or recording any portion of the event. There are often restrictions. Cell phones, tablets and laptops may be used to take notes or for class assignments.
- Keep questions or comments brief and concise to allow as many as possible.