“Watershed and drainage models are not a ‘one size fits all’ item. These tools each have pluses and minuses, and tend to reflect the regulatory and physical context for which they were first developed. So the challenge we face is to find modeling technologies that are right for our needs, the solutions we prefer, and the processes we have developed,” states Dr. Charles Rowney.
“The volume-based approach that is being implemented in British Columbia picks up the baton that Dr. Ray Linsley started more than a generation ago. As a professor at StanfordUniversity, Linsley pioneered the development of continuous hydrologic simulation as the foundation for water balance management,” writes Tom Debo.
“While considerable research has been undertaken in forest stands in the natural environment, very little has been done in an urban setting anywhere in North America”, stated Dr. Markus Weiler.
“Local governments need to understand how the rainfall volume and distribution might be impacted over time by a changing climate. Then they will be in a position to implement an appropriate adaptation strategy for maintaining a ‘water balance’ that will be effective in protecting stream health,” stated Ted van der Gulik.
“Erosion is a key factor in water resources management. A principal result of increased volumes and rates of flow associated with urbanization is the consequent increase in stream erosion,” states states Jim Dumont
“Local Governments are making significant progress in preparing for a changing climate, from vulnerability assessments to comprehensive climate adaptation plans. Throughout these processes, a key challenge has been translating global climate science to local land-use decisions,” states Chris Jensen.
“Many systems operate without serious problems for many years. Yet many engineering studies recommend plans for pipe replacement and upsizing that would cost tens of millions of dollars, money that local governments do not have; while providing no offsetting stream health benefits. Why is this happening?,” asks Kim Stephens.
“Water accumulates and flows as interflow through the topsoil as it follows the path of least resistance; through the topsoil rather than through the underlying tighter soils. This explains why surface flows from pervious surfaces are often observed to be nil and a catchment contribution to a stream is then ignored,” states Jim Dumont
“What is it that we really want to solve? Where are we driving this? We are trying to come up with a solution. Once we have figured out the solution that we need, we need to come up with tools that do that and no more and no less,” stated Dr. Charles Rowney.
“I do a lot of talking around North America and elsewhere about models and model requirements. As a result, I have been able to distil a synthesis of the opinions of several hundred people from all around the world who have done a lot of modelling.” – Charles Rowney
