PROF. BELIZE LANE
I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Utah State University and the Utah Water Research Laboratory. My research is at the intersection of physical hydrology and water management, with a focus on more efficiently allocating scarce freshwater resources for humans and ecosystems under increasing stressors. My research group performs applied, interdisciplinary investigations to advance understanding of coupled human - natural river systems using a combination of field measurement and modeling (physically-based, water planning, statistical, geospatial, etc). I also lead several efforts to integrate emerging research and technical tools to guide coordinated instream water management in the western U.S. from the stream reach to the state scale.
2 new MS students join the WET lab!
LATEST NEWS
January 2020
California Environmental FLows Framework in the news
February 2020
Journal of Hydrology and
Water Resources Research
papers published!
January 2020
Functional Flows paper published
ONGOING RESEARCH PROJECTS
Geomorphic characterization of California rivers
We are characterizing dominant regional geomorphic settings of rivers throughout California through extensive field data collection, multivariate analysis, and physical interpretation. Watch the video to see the field campaign in action, featuring our lab dog Melipal.
Synthetic river corridor archetypes
Synthetic digital terrain models enable rapid, resource efficient evaluation of alternative channel designs in a hydraulic modeling framework to support multi-scale river management efforts.
Promoting instream flows in Western states
There is increasing interest to protect and enhance instream flows to support ecosystems and recreation in the Western US, but rivers are already heavily allocated for agriculture, municipal, hydropower and other water uses. We suggest key technical and legislative opportunities to overcome 'use it or lose it' western water law and mentality to promote instream flows in Utah.
Natural stream classification
Distinct hydrologic regimes characterized by different flow sources and physical catchment controls support distinct river ecosystem functions. Classification can inform and organize environmental water management efforts, and help set flow criteria to better balance human and ecological water needs.