Following the exceptional amount of rain at the beginning of the summer, Squaw Creek was running fast and high through Ames just weeks ago. William Gutowski, professor of geological and atmospheric sciences, has teamed up with a group of researchers from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Engineering to make a model for planning sustainable water resources.
Chris Rehmann, associate professor of civil, construction and environmental engineering, is studying environmental fluid mechanics and water resources engineering for the project. The team will develop a model involving physical and social aspects of water resources in Squaw Creek.
Rehmann said he will model the hydrologic aspects such as precipitation, runoff to the creek and groundwater movement, as well as helping with the physical system modeling, which includes water resources and engineering issues of the creek.
He will also help identify stakeholders such as water users, environmental groups, business interests and political leaders.
“I’m excited to see whether the model will not only identify good rules to follow, but also show how to adapt one’s behavior,” he said.
Rehmann said he was intrigued by the project because he has worked with the E2020 Scholars Program within the College of Engineering to introduce systems thinking to students. “In particular, we try to get students to consider—along with engineering—the social, political, cultural, economic, environmental and ethical aspects of a problem.
“The project with the folks from LAS will be a practical application of that type of thinking,” said Rehmann.