Past Meetings (2024)
February 2024
Speaker: Dr. Matthew W. Becker
Position: Professor of Earth Sciences, CSULB; 2024 NGWA Darcy Lecturer
Topic: Fiber Optic Distributed Sensing as a Window on Subsurface Flow
When: Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Speaker Bio:
Matt Becker is the Conrey Chair in Hydrogeology and Professor of Earth Sciences at California State University Long Beach, USA. He holds degrees in Geology and Civil Engineering and has worked with Los Alamos National Labs, the U.S Geological Survey, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, the University at Buffalo, and has been awarded Fulbright scholarships for Italy and Australia. Matt’s primary focus of research is fluid flow in highly heterogeneous subsurface environments.
Abstract:
The advancement of fiber optic distributed sensing over the past two decades has enabled the measurement of subsurface hydraulics and geomechanics at unprecedented temporal and spatial detail. Fiber optic distributed sensing systems operate by firing laser light down a fiber optic cable and using backscattered photons to measure temperature, vibration, or strain. Kilometers of measurements can be made at scales as small as a centimeter and at sampling intervals of less than a millisecond.
We will look at how this technology has improved our understanding of subsurface flow related to diverse applications such as stream discharge, managed aquifer recharge, remediation of contaminated sites, aquifer testing, fracture hydromechanics, and energy resources. As these instruments become more reliable, accurate, and economical, opportunities for revolutionary observations of groundwater systems will continue to expand in the coming decades.
February 2024
Speaker: W. Paul Burgess
Position: Engineering Geologist in the California Geological Survey’s Regional Geologic and Landslide Mapping Program
Topic: Implementing the California Geological Survey’s Reported Landslides Database during a sequence of sixteen atmospheric river events in California, December 2022 through March 2023
When: Monday, February 5, 2024
Speaker Bio:
W. Paul Burgess is an Engineering Geologist in the California Geological Survey’s Regional Geologic and Landslide Mapping Program, where he arrived in October 2018. Prior to joining the CGS, Burgess worked in the geotechnical engineering world in Los Angeles. He earned a MS in Geology from the University of California, Los Angeles focused on studying active faulting and tectonic geomorphology in the northeastern Indian Himalayan foothills. Prior to his time at UCLA, he earned his BS in Geology at the University of Houston in Texas, where he first became fascinated in geology after participating in geologic expeditions traversing the far northwestern Nepal Himalaya. Since coming aboard the CGS, Burgess has been especially grateful to steadily grow his knowledge of mapping landslide geomorphology and processes. In his spare time he enjoys riding his bicycle.
Abstract:
From late December 2022 until late March 2023, sixteen atmospheric river (AR) events impacted California, resulting in year-to-date precipitation accumulations varying from more than 200 to 350% above average across a wide swath of the state. Historic flooding and multi-modal landslide activity occurred statewide, damaging transportation infrastructure, homes, property, and threatening life-safety and economic welfare. A state of emergency was declared by the Governor of California as well as by the President of the United States. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) mission tasked the California Geological Survey (CGS) to provide situational awareness of statewide landslide hazards, which CGS accomplished in partnership with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) as well as numerous state, county, and local agencies.
CGS leveraged its Reported Landslides Database (RLD) mapping tools for desktop and field surveying to rapidly identify areas of observed landslide impacts, which included activation of a Landslides Triage Team (LTT). For several months the LTT gathered data from multiple sources including, but not limited to, photos and timing information from crowd-sourced reporting (e.g., Twitter, Facebook), local news media sources, state agency reporting, California Highway Patrol data, and review of firsthand reports.
The LTT identified more than 1000 AR-induced landslide events, necessitating the development of a GIS dashboard for efficient data organization. The GIS dashboard informed leadership of hardest hit areas and provided real-time support for community recovery accomplished by deployment of CalOES-requested CGS field teams at fourteen locations statewide. These mission tasks involved multi-partner agency collaboration and implementation of innovative field mapping, hazard surveying, and data collection methods. Here we highlight CGS mission task methods and results and discuss the successful public awareness campaign CGS developed to communicate the evolving nature of landslide hazards statewide. This public communication included an emergency response website, consistent Twitter communications to provide daily updates of a statewide landslide event density map, and a statewide deep-seated landslide “barometer” map.
January 2024
Speaker: Ben Smith
Position: Director of Recharge and Wetland Operations, Orange County Water District
Topic: OCWD’s Capture and Recharge of Stormwater in an Urban Environment
When: Monday, January 8, 2024
Speaker Bio:
In addition to bachelor and master’s degrees in civil engineering, Ben also earned a master’s degree in public administration from CSU Long Beach. He teaches civil engineering courses part-time at CSULB. He is a California and Arizona certified Professional Civil Engineer, California Water Treatment and Distribution Operator, and a Qualified SWPPP Designer. At Orange County Water District, Ben has managed the design, construction, and inspection of more than $100 million in capital improvement and repair projects. His projects have included PFAS treatment facilities, injection and monitoring wells, spreading basins, pump stations, pipelines, emergency repairs, recycled water treatment and distribution, grading and site improvements, and culvert transfer tubes. He regularly conducts hydraulic and financial analyses, interagency agreements, regulatory permit compliance, and public presentations. He is currently the Director of Recharge and Wetland Operations with responsibilities including the management of staff and facilities used for surface recharge, constructed wetland water treatment, and optimizing the percolation and storage of storm, recycled, and untreated import waters.
Abstract:
Southern California is not new to unusual weather patterns and this past year did not disappoint. Between getting an abundance of rainfall in the winter season and a surprising tropical storm in August, how much rain did we receive and capture this past year? Are we ready for what’s ahead? Hear about what the Orange County Water District is doing to maximize stormwater capture and groundwater recharge opportunities which increase drinking water supplies for Orange County.