Research Themes
Urban Ecohydrology & Resilient Cities
How do low-impact practices interact with one another?
Key Finding: Synergistic effects and hotspots at impervious-pervious interfaces drive parcel hydrology
Status: published (Voter and Loheide, 2018)
When and where is soil amendment most effective as a low-impact practice?
Key Finding: Amending soil on as little as 1.5% of sloped yard near disconnected impervious features can reduce runoff by up to 17% when existing soil infiltration is low; this could be promoted as a LID alternative to rain gardens for some homeowners.
Status: published (Voter and Loheide, 2020)
How do low-impact practices interact with climate?
Key Finding: The aridity index and between-storm characteristics drive LID effectiveness
Status: published (Voter and Loheide, 2021)
Can we use lot attributes to prioritize areas for low impact practices?
Key Finding: Statistical models such as PLSR can be harnessed to expand insights of complex physical models of urban hydrology.
Status: publication in progress
Urban Hydrometeorology
Key Question: Can widespread urban greening enhance resiliency of coastal cities to the triple threat of flooding, urban heat islands, and extreme precipitation?
Status: Funded by WI Sea Grant 2020-2022
Collaborators: Aaron Alexander, Dan Wright, Steve Loheide
Urban Street Tree Hydrology
Key Question: How well do the models we rely on represent urban street tree hydrology?
Status: In Progress
Collaborators: William Avery, Aaron Alexander, Steve Loheide, and others
Groundwater-Surface Water Interactions & Sustainable Agriculture
Central Sands Lakes Study (CSLS)
Key Question: Per 2017 Wisconsin Act 10, study the effects of groundwater withdrawals on lakes in the Central Sands of Wisconsin.
Status: Findings & recommendations submitted to the WI State Legislature, see final report on project website, including my 30-min overview presentation. Manuscript in preparation.
Collaborators: Many at WDNR, USGS, and WGNHS
Lake Hydrologic Regimes
Key Question: How can we describe and quantify water level fluctuations in lakes?
Status: Incorporated in the CSLS, manuscript in preparation
Collaborators: Katie Hein, Justin Chenevert, and others