⏲️ This month’s edition contains approximately 1,100 words (just over a 3 minute read).

U.S. Geological Survey Director Dr. Ned Mamula recently visited The University of Alabama and toured the USGS Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility. While on campus, he also visited the NOAA National Water Center and met with representatives from the UA Division for Research, Alabama Water Institute, the Global Water Security Center, CIROH and the CONSERVE Research Group.

The Global Water Security Center’s Haiti Quicklook product reveals how compounding natural disasters can do more than just damage infrastructure, they can also fuel a cycle of food insecurity and human displacement that contribute to gang recruitment and violence. 

Want a closer look?

Over the past five years, CIROH has grown into a national consortium of 28 partner institutions, and its resources have expanded alongside it. The new CIROH Hub brings those resources together in one destination, so the hydrology community can find what they need faster and advance water prediction. In its first 28 days, the platform recorded more than 2,100 page views from over 260 users.

Ready to access CIROH's research, data and tools in one place?

Josiah Gullatte brings aquatic science research and certified land management expertise to CONSERVE, where he will lead watershed restoration efforts across the Southeast. His work spans rivercane restoration, native seed preservation and partnerships with tribal nations, landowners and governmental entities.

Interested in learning more about the work Josiah will lead at CONSERVE?

The University of Alabama celebrates three Goldwater Scholars for 2026-2027, including Colton Byrne, a geology and chemistry dual-degree student whose research examines seafloor sediments near Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica. Byrne works under Dr. Rebecca Totten of the Department of Geological Sciences, investigating the past and present environment of the Amundsen Sea. This year's selections bring UA's total Goldwater Scholars to 72.

Curious about the research that earned UA's newest Goldwater Scholars their award?

Alabama Water Institute believes the earlier a student encounters water science, the more likely it is to take root. Engineering Day 2026 at the McWane Science Center in Birmingham put that belief into action, introducing middle school students to water science careers and the institutions behind them.

Learn how AWI is building the water science pipeline.

GWSC Director Mike Gremillion was a panelist at the Moody's Ratings webinar "Water Security in the Gulf: Strategic Infrastructure Under Stress."

He, with other panelists, had a timely discussion on desalination dependence and resilience in the Middle East.

The webinar is available for replay.

GWSC Director Mike Gremillion will be a guest speaker at "Understanding Climate Security: Why Does it Matter to Defence Institutions?," hosted by the NATO Association of Canada. The in-person event, held in Toronto, will be from 2 to 6:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday, May 5. Registration is free.

Dr. Juli Scamardo, an assistant professor at Utah State University and member of CIROH's early career working group, shares her path into hydrology and why community, collaboration and mentorship matter.

What does it take to build a career in water science?

New research shows tropical cyclones that intensify over marine heat waves are significantly more destructive, driving 60% more billion-dollar disasters than storms without that added ocean heat.

The takeaway: These storms bring higher winds, heavier rainfall, and more severe storm surge, amplifying damage beyond what coastal development alone would predict.

Bottom line: As marine heat waves become more common, the risk of high-cost, high-impact storms is growing, making improved forecasting and preparedness more critical than ever.

Wanyun Shao, an AWI Faculty Fellow and CIROH researcher, led a study developing a machine learning framework to identify high-risk coastal cities along the U.S. Gulf and Atlantic coasts. Using historical flood damage data and 16 factors representing hazard, exposure and vulnerability, the study found New York City has the largest population at flood risk and New Orleans has the highest relative exposure at nearly 99%. The framework offers actionable insights for policy-makers managing flood risk in coastal regions.

Curious about which coastal cities face the greatest flood risk?

Dr. Dawen Li, an AWI affiliated faculty member and professor of electrical and computer engineering at The University of Alabama, received the President's Faculty Research Award as a senior scholar in physical and biological sciences, mathematics and engineering.

Li, who joined UA in 2008 and is a recipient of the NSF CAREER award, focuses his research on next-generation photovoltaics, advanced manufacturing of solar modules and applications of solar power systems.

CIROH Director Dr. Steven Burian was named a Distinguished Departmental Fellow by the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering during the department's annual Awards Ceremony on April 1. The honor, bestowed since 1988, recognizes individuals who exemplify excellence in engineering, exceptional professional achievement and a strong commitment to advancing the department's educational mission. Burian is among 149 total fellows named to the honor roll.

In this month's talk, discover how nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural fields move through subsurface drainage systems into the Gulf of America. Dr. Keith Schilling, State Geologist of Iowa and director of the Iowa Geological Survey at the University of Iowa, examines spatial and temporal patterns of nutrient loss in intensely farmed landscapes and why conservation practices must be targeted to specific landscapes to be effective.