| NSF Org: |
EAR Division Of Earth Sciences |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | April 8, 2020 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | October 15, 2020 |
| Award Number: | 1948944 |
| Award Instrument: | Continuing Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Raleigh Martin
ramartin@nsf.gov (703)292-7199 EAR Division Of Earth Sciences GEO Directorate for Geosciences |
| Start Date: | August 1, 2020 |
| End Date: | July 31, 2024 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $504,396.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $504,396.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
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| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
105 JESSUP HALL IOWA CITY IA US 52242-1316 (319)335-2123 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
2 Gilmore Hall Iowa City IA US 52242-1320 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): |
EAR-Earth Sciences Research, GEOINFORMATICS |
| Primary Program Source: |
01002122DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT |
| Program Reference Code(s): | |
| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.050 |
ABSTRACT
Information on river shape, bed morphology and sediment load are critical to help inform research and management issues related to river channels. However, such information is not easily accessible or available in the public domain. This project will create a web platform, entitled RiverMorph, to aggregate, store, share, and analyze river-related scientific data. RiverMorph will also support management of current and future issues related to the nation?s water resources. The data and tools developed for RiverMorph will create digital representations of three-dimensional river morphological structures of most U.S. rivers, which can support fundamental research and practical needs related to stream rehabilitation, infrastructure design, and food risk mitigation. This project will demonstrate how the RiverMorph platform can improve river flow forecasts and produce accurate flood inundation maps that subsequently can help save lives and expense related to flood damages.
The RiverMorph web platform will be designed and developed through collaborations with an extended team of community partners, including state and federal agencies, who are responsible for managing U.S. water resources. RiverMorph will be: 1) open, integrated and platform independent; 2) flexible and adaptable to new types of data and operational capabilities; 3) easy to use in order to encourage contributions from a wide variety of stakeholders; 4) responsive to the needs of multiple end users with diverse technical backgrounds; and 5) interoperable and scalable for sustainability beyond the project duration. The prototype RiverMorph resource will be developed by carefully assessing the availability and accessibility of river data and the needs of potential stakeholders. The usability and adaptability of RiverMorph will be demonstrated through specific science test cases that will address the following research questions: 1) How does channel morphology change over decadal time scales, and how can the underlying processes be modeled to assist with water resources engineering and management decisions? 2) How can river geometry be best described across spatial scales ranging from low order single streams to large stream networks for accurately simulating river hydrodynamics and flooding? 3) How can data-driven approaches improve the understanding of streamwise and river-floodplain-watershed connectivity for supporting modeling approaches over large spatio-temporal scales? Implementation and adoption of RiverMorph will be facilitated by engaging with stakeholders and the broader earth sciences community over the course of the project.
This project is jointly funded by the Geoinformatics, the Hydrologic Sciences, and the Geomorphology and Land Use Dynamics programs in the Division of Earth Sciences.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH
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PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
Rivers are vital to our environment and society—they shape landscapes, provide habitats for wildlife, supply water for communities, and support transportation and recreation. Understanding river morphology—the shapes and features of river channels—is essential for managing water resources, predicting floods, maintaining ecological balance, and planning infrastructure. Despite their importance, accessing comprehensive and high-quality data about river channels has been challenging. Data are often scattered across different agencies, formats, and platforms, making it difficult for researchers, engineers, policymakers, and the public to find and use the information they need.
To address this challenge, our project aimed to develop River Morphology Information System (RIMORPHIS), a publicly accessible, user-friendly web platform that provides access to river morphology data and tools. The project was a collaboration among multiple institutions, including Purdue University, University of Iowa, St. Louis University, and University of Colorado Boulder, working together to create a centralized resource for river morphology information.
Major Goals and Accomplishments
The primary goals of the project were to assess the availability and accessibility of existing river morphology data, develop the RIMORPHIS platform, conduct scientific test cases using the platform, and engage the Earth Sciences community in its development, implementation, and sustainability.
Firstly, we evaluated existing river morphology data from various sources, identifying gaps and opportunities for integration. This assessment guided the development of RIMORPHIS, ensuring it addresses user needs and incorporates the most relevant data. We integrated diverse datasets from agencies like the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), allowing users to access a wide range of river data in one place. This integration simplifies research and decision-making processes by providing comprehensive data accessibility.
We designed and built the RIMORPHIS platform using modern technologies to create an intuitive and efficient system for accessing and analyzing river morphology data. The platform offers powerful tools for data visualization, analysis, and processing. Users can explore river channels interactively through maps and three-dimensional visualizations, examining depths and features in detail. The platform includes data processing and analysis tools that enable researchers to process cross-sectional data, generate riverbed profiles, and utilize algorithms for predicting river behaviors. By integrating with HydroShare, an online repository for hydrological data, RIMORPHIS allows users to share data and collaborate more effectively.
To support the platform's functionality, we developed a robust, scalable, and secure cyberinfrastructure. This ensures reliable performance, data integrity, and user accessibility, making RIMORPHIS a dependable resource. We optimized the codebase for maintainability and efficiency, enhancing performance and facilitating future enhancements. Security measures were implemented to safeguard the platform against potential vulnerabilities.
Community engagement was a crucial aspect of our project. We organized workshops, conference sessions, and presentations to engage with the scientific community, gather feedback, and promote the use of RIMORPHIS. Annual workshops brought together researchers, agency partners, and stakeholders to discuss developments, share insights, and plan future enhancements. Presentations at major conferences like the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting increased awareness of RIMORPHIS and fostered collaborations. Feedback obtained from these engagements guided future developments and ensured the platform meets users’ needs.
Impact on Education and Research
Through RIMORPHIS, students, educators, and the public have free access to valuable river morphology data and tools. This supports education in hydrology, environmental sciences, engineering, and related fields, enhancing learning experiences and fostering interest in STEM disciplines. The platform serves as an educational resource, enabling instructors to incorporate real-world data into their curricula and providing students with hands-on experience in data analysis and interpretation.
The platform has also enabled researchers to conduct advanced studies in river morphology, leading to new insights and contributing to scientific knowledge. By providing comprehensive data and advanced analytical tools, RIMORPHIS facilitates research that can inform water resource management, environmental conservation, and infrastructure planning.
Impact on Society
By providing a centralized, accessible platform for river morphology data, RIMORPHIS supports better management of water resources, informs infrastructure planning, and aids in the prediction and mitigation of flood risks. It promotes collaboration among scientists, engineers, policymakers, and the public, leading to more informed decisions that benefit communities and the environment. The platform strives to enhance our collective ability to understand and manage river systems, contributing to societal well-being and environmental sustainability.
Last Modified: 11/29/2024
Modified by: Ibrahim Demir
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