ED13F-0914
HydroViz: A Web-based Climate Teleconnection Module for Undergraduate and Graduate Water Engineering Students

Monday, 14 December 2015
Poster Hall (Moscone South)
David J Farnham, Columbia University of New York, New York, NY, United States, Emad H Habib, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA, United States and Upmanu Lall, Columbia University of New York, Palisades, NY, United States
Abstract:
Engineering students in hydrology courses typically study water from the moment it falls as rain to the time it leaves a watershed. Understanding the mechanisms of precipitation (moisture transport, convection, convergence, etc.), however, can improve the analysis and design of downstream systems. Return period estimation, drainage design and sizing, and dam construction and operation are among the components of traditional water resource engineering problems that can benefit from a basic understanding of climate and weather systems that produce precipitation. This is especially critical in a nonstationary world. We discuss the components, benefits, and challenges of designing and implementing an introductory climate teleconnections module with emphasis on complementing traditional hydrology courses for engineering students.