INSTITUTE FOR WATER RESOURCES
IWR - Celebrating 40 Years
History
IWR - Celebrating 40 Years |
|
Since 1969, the Institute for Water Resources (IWR) has acted as the Corps' agent for change. IWR has provided innovative analysis, research and training to support the Civil Works mission. As we reflect on our past accomplishments, we are also looking to the future and anticipating the endeavors and achievements to come. We invite you to learn more about our history and the activities that are part of our 40th anniversary celebration. 40th Anniversary Celebration & Symposium, April 12, 2010IWR celebrated its "40 Years of Excellence in Water Resources" with a series of events that culminated in a 40th Year Anniversary water symposium on Monday, April 12, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. The symposium was set around the theme "IWR 2020: Adapting the Corps Role to a Changing Environment," and featured a panel discussion where speakers shared their perspectives on this topic. The event also included an induction of distinguished employees and unveiled the 40th Anniversary timeline. These activities were followed by a social event at Fort Belvoir Officer's Club for all participants. IWR is proud to honor those who have contributed their dedication and service to the Institute and the Nation. Learn more Vignettes
40th Anniversary Seminars3 Dec 2009: Conflict Resolution and Public Participation at IWR and the Corps - Proud History, Exciting Future. Dr. Jerome Delli Priscoli and Dr Hal Cardwell. On October 17, 2008, General Riley signed an order establishing the USACE Conflict-resolution and Public-participation Center of Expertise (CPC) at IWR to act as the principal USACE portal for the field to access best practices and to liaise with world leaders in these fields. The new center builds on a long history of leadership in conflict resolution and public participation at IWR, as well as the use of computer models in water resources consensus building. This discussion explored our proud past and the exciting future. (news story) 15 Dec 2009: Risk Management (Gerry Galloway & Nathan Snorteland) 7 Jan 2010: Navigation Data Center. David Lichy. David Lichy presented a seminar about the Navigation Data Center (NDC): past, present and future. He talked about the decision support provided by NDC to Civil Works business lines and how it can be used to support strategic, tactical and operational planning. He discussed the O&M Business Information Link (OMBIL) and the Federal Initiative for Navigation Data Enhancement (FINDE). 18 Feb 2010: The Evolution of Software Development at HEC (Chris Dunn) HEC Director Chris Dunn made a presentation as part of IWR's 40th Anniversary Celebration on the evolution of software development at the Hydrologic Engineering Center over the last 45 years. He spoke about the roots of HEC's software development in 1964 in its mission to develop techniques to promote hydrologic engineering and enhance the field's state-of-the-art by performing research and software development. He traced the growth of HEC’s products from the use of mainframe computers to PCs to the NexGen series of software that utilizes graphical user interfaces and object-oriented design. Mr. Dunn also addressed why certain software development and support decisions were made and how they shaped HEC and HEC's business model. He described particular software products, such as analysis tools for rivers, reservoirs and flow impact, and the nationwide standard Corps Water Management System (CWMS). Future products including ecosystem and environmental activities were discussed as well. He will be making a similar presentation at HEC. Photo 18 March 2010: IWR and International Activities (Jerry Delli Priscoli & Gene Stakhiv) Jerry Delli Priscoli and Gene Stakhiv discussed the development of IWR’s involvement in international activities as part of the 40th anniversary seminar series. They recounted how IWR responded to direction from the Corps leadership in the 1990s to utilize international involvement as a means to reduce water-related conflicts and achieve the objective of becoming a world-class engineering organization. Drs. Delli Priscoli and Stakhiv explained how IWR participated in international forums, carried out technology transfers at international workshops and conferences, and increased its partnerships and interagency collaborations. They highlighted specific examples such as IWR’s sponsorship of four NATO workshops, participation in the World Water Forums, promotion of the Shared Vision Planning approach, and collaborations with organizations including The Nature Conservancy, World Bank Water Staff and Mekong River Commission. The seminar also discussed IWR’s hosting of the International Center for Integrated Water Resources Management (ICIWaRM), which was named a Category II Water Centre under the auspices of UNESCO in 2009. |
