Volume 5, Number 3 • Winter 2003/2004
EWRI World Water & Environmental Resources Congress 2004
Salt Lake City, Utah • June 28-July 1, 2004
The 2004 EWRI Congress Steering Committee, working closely with EWRI Councils and Committees, has received well over 1,000 submissions for presentations at the upcoming World Water and Environmental Congress to be held in Salt Lake City, June 27th – July 2nd 2004. Many of the Councils and Committees developed and are managing their own specialty symposia, yet there has been an unprecedented level of coordination between them and the Congress Steering Committee. Therefore, this Congress has become much greater than the sum of its parts. Several very high profile speakers with an eye for broad interest and lively debate are being courted for plenary and general sessions.
Here is a small sampling of the offerings that will be presented at the 2004 Congress:
6th Annual Symposium on Water Distribution Systems Analysis – (Co-Chairs; Jim Uber and Steve Buchberger) This hot topic has attracted submissions from every continent on the globe, and will form a major component of the Congress. The WDSA Symposium will span four days and feature 65 papers in a dozen sessions, mixing provocative presentations with award-winning poster displays.
Water Resource History Symposium – (Co-Chairs; Jerry Rogers, Glenn Brown and Jurgen Garbrecht) This topic has proven to be a very popular subject, with well-attended sessions in the past. SLC's offerings will feature discussion of the Colorado River and an overview of both relatively recent and early historical subjects of significance to engineers and scientists in the water resources field, featuring new, innovative sessions that include the early Mesa Verde reservoirs and sedimentation engineering pioneers.
Symposium on Arid Lands -- (Co-Chairs: Julianne Miller and Richard French, Desert Research Institute) The rapid pace of development in semi- and arid environments present unique hydrologic and hydraulic engineering, as well as environmental, challenges. Water resources and flooding issues are becoming critical to both the professional community and the public in these regions. Highlighted topics in the Symposium will include perennial rivers in arid environments, hydrometeorology, hydrology and hydraulics, and water supply and quality. In conjunction with the Symposium, a field trip, led by Dr. Jeff Keaton, will investigate alluvial fan flooding and debris flow issues in the Salt Lake City area. Also, Dr. Jim O’Brien will teach a short course on the FLO- 2D model. Salt Lake City is a well-suited venue to discuss the growing water resource and hydrologic and hydraulic engineering issues related to semi- and arid lands throughout the western US and the world.
River Restoration and Urban Streams Symposium – (Co-Chairs Peggy Johnson & Louise Slate )
Based on the number of abstracts submitted for this symposium, there is obviously keen interest in this topic. Included in the abstracts submitted are several from invited expert speakers, notably Craig Fischenich (Overview), Gary Parker and Peter Wilcock (Sediment Transport), Richard Hey (Geomorphology), Colin Thorne (Dynamic Systems and Sustainability), and Matt Kondolf (Monitoring and Adaptive Management). The presentations and posters will focus on the most current tools, methods, and applications in the industry. We hope that participants will use what they learn in these sessions to further the art and science of river restoration.
Best Management Practices (BMP) Technology Symposium: Current and Future Directions –(Co-Chairs Richard Field, Mike Clar, Anthony Tafuri and Mary Stinson) This topic has again proved to be a popular one, attracting a large number of national and international submissions. The symposium will address the relatively new concept of using BMP technology for removing pollutants from urban storm water runoff. A few of the topics that will be covered include low-impact development (LID), retrofitting existing developed areas, erosion and sediment control, and BMP design. Researchers and state-of-the-art practitioners working in various spheres of BMP technology will be brought together to provide a comprehensive treatment of the current and future directions of this technology. The symposium’s peer-reviewed papers will be published.
This year’s Congress will be held at the luxurious Grand America and Little America Hotels. Named one of the top 75 North American hotels by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine, the Grand America Hotel is an architectural masterpiece that makes a fantastic backdrop to this year’s festivities. At the center of all Congress activities, this hotel offers convenience and comfort for our members. Reservations can be made by calling (U.S.) 800- 453-9450 or (International) 801-363-6781. Be sure to ask for the ASCE/EWRI-Water block to take advantage of our great rates.
The Local Arrangements Committee has been very active in developing a broad scope of activities that will be of interest to both Congress participants and their families and friends. Activities will include a welcome breakfast, social events, local tours and numerous activities in Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas. Salt Lake City is a family friendly area that is the perfect jumping off spot for many outdoors activities. Set in the heart of the west, it offers seven national parks within a one day drive of Salt Lake City including the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone.
More details regarding the conference will be forthcoming so please check the Congress website, at http://www.asce.org/conferences/ewri2004 often for updates.