Project Info
Rethinking river floods
Piret Plink-Bjorklund
pplink@mines.edu
Nathan Lenssen
lenssen@mines.edu
Project Goals and Description:
River floods are among the most common and destructive natural hazards, with significant societal impacts. Yet, despite advances in data collection, statistical methods, and modeling, evidence from many rivers shows that flood-mitigation infrastructure often fails to prevent—and sometimes even worsens—flood damage. This failure not only exposes global vulnerabilities but also reveals a fundamental knowledge gap: our understanding of flood generation, associated hazards, and their sensitivity to global change remains limited.
This project takes a fresh approach to studying river floods by analyzing global river discharge patterns. By leveraging the untapped information in river discharge time series – in hydrograph shapes, we will move beyond traditional statistical indices to gain new insights.
The undergraduate student will work closely with both advisors. Nathan Lenssen will provide guidance and training in data analyses; and Piret Plink-Bjorklund in the underlying hydraulic, geomorphologic and hydroclimatic processes, and their applications to flood hazards.
More Information:
Grand Challenge: Provide access to clean water.
Please e-mail Piret Plink-Bjorklund with questions pplink@mines.edu
Primary Contacts:
Piret Plink-Bjorklund pplink@mines.edu
Student Preparation
Qualifications
We prefer students familiar with using Python, R, or MATLAB for data analysis, and with experience with applied statistics or machine learning (MATH324, CSCI303, or equivalent). These skills are, however, not required.
TIME COMMITMENT (HRS/WK)
up to 5 hours per week but flexible
SKILLS/TECHNIQUES GAINED
The undergraduate researcher will assist in global river discharge data analyses in close collaboration with faculty.
The student will learn about statistical methods for time-series analyses and their geoscience applications. The student will also learn about rivers globally, and how distinct discharge patterns shape landscapes and influence flood hazards.
MENTORING PLAN
We will together develop a research plan and decide on expected outcomes. The student will learn how to set up and conduct research projects, including scientific questions and testable hypothesis, how to plan and conduct work that ensures results, and how to disseminate the results by conference presentations (Mines and well as national conferences) or publications.
The student will work closely with both advisors and meet with us on weekly or biweekly bases. The student will also be part of Piret Plink-Bjorklund research group and attend the group's meetings, and receive support from the fellow graduate and undergraduate students.
Preferred Student Status
Sophomore
Junior
Senior