Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID GA_2024_Luo

Optimization of Water Level Monitoring Networks for Enhanced Flood Resilience in the Savannah River Basin

Institute: Georgia
Year Established: 2024 Start Date: 2024-09-01 End Date: 2025-08-31
Total Federal Funds: $21,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $21,000

Principal Investigators: Jian Luo

Project Summary: The Savannah River Basin faces increasing flood risks due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and frequent severe weather events like hurricanes. Real-time water level data is crucial for effective flood management, but the current USGS monitoring stations are spread out and not optimized. Our project aims to improve this by developing a method to optimize the placement and use of water level monitoring stations along the Savannah River. Using advanced tools like the physics-informed geostatistical approach (PIGA) and modern statistical methods, we'll create a plan to ensure accurate and timely water level data. This improved monitoring network will help local and federal agencies, emergency responders, and communities in the Savannah River Basin better prepare for and respond to floods, enhancing overall flood resilience and safety.