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New Publication in Frontiers in Water | Water and Human Systems
Thu, 07/16/2026 - 11:12am
Flood models have become indispensable tools for flood risk assessment, watershed management, infrastructure planning, and climate adaptation. This paper argues that flood models should be viewed not simply as technical tools, but as knowledge infrastructures whose long-term value depends on governance, stewardship, and sustained institutional support.
Drawing on the Louisiana Watershed Initiative and insights from 91 stakeholders—including local governments, regional organizations, state agencies, and model managers—we examine how governance arrangements and long-term stewardship influence the accessibility, credibility, and continued usability of flood modeling systems.
Many thanks to my co-authors at UL and Tulane (Ehab M., Brian Miles, Liz Skilton, Mohamed ElSaadani, Ph.D., Kelin Hu) and to the many practitioners and agencies across Louisiana who generously shared their time, experiences, and perspectives.
Read the full article: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/water/articles/10.3389/frwa.2026.1815142/full