Veronica Griffis

Education

Ph.D. Civil Engineering, Cornell University. 2006

Dissertation: Flood Frequency Analysis: Bulletin 17, Regional Information, and Climate Change

Advisor: Jery R. Stedinger, Ph.D.

M.S. Civil Engineering, Cornell University. 2003

Thesis: Evaluation of Log-Pearson Type 3 Flood Frequency Analysis Methods Addressing Regional Skew and Low Outliers

Advisor: Jery R. Stedinger, Ph.D.

B.S. Civil Engineering, Magna cum Laude, University of Vermont, 2001

Research Interests

My research interests are related to flood frequency analysis and the evaluation of other extreme events. In particular, I am interested in the impacts of climate variability, climate change and land use changes on the magnitude and frequency of flood flows. The effects of such changes on stream ecology and water quality are also of interest. Other projects I am currently working on involve the use of regional information and regression methods to improve flood quantile estimates at site and for quantile estimation at ungauged sites

Current Research

Incorporating Climate Change and Variability into the Bulletin 17B LP3 Model
The current techniques for flood frequency analysis presented in Bulletin 17B assume annual maximum floods are stationary, meaning that the distribution of flood flows is not significantly affected by climatic trends or long-term cycles (i.e. decadal variations). Observed trends in stream flows raise concern as to whether or not this assumption is valid. This project considers how the Bulletin 17B framework might be modified to account for nonstationarity in flood records due to climate variability. In order to improve estimates/forecasts obtained using the LP3 model, the effects of climate variability may be incorporated into updated estimates of the mean, standard deviation, and perhaps the skew by regressing the LP3 parameters on climatic indices describing the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and Northern Atlantic Oscillation. The effects of climatic cycles occurring over a shorter time frame, such as El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) are averaged into estimates made using the procedures of Bulletin 17B. However, the effects of ENSO are likely to affect the magnitude of annual maximum stream flows, and thus would impact flood risk in a given year. ENSO effects are incorporated into forecasts by regressing the LP3 parameters on sea surface temperatures.

Other Projects

Application of Expected Moments Algorithm (EMA) with Historical Information, Low Outliers, and Regional Skew

Impact of Climate Change on Streamflow in the Keweenaw Peninsula

Teaching

CE 5620: Stochastic Hydrology, Spring 2008

CE 5690: Descriptive Modeling of Data, Spring 2008

CE 4620: Open Channel Flow, Fall 2007

CE 5690: Stochastic Hydrology, Spring 2007

CE 5666: Water Resources Planning and Management, Fall 2006

Instruction at Cornell University - CEE 304: Uncertainty Analysis in Engineering, Fall 2005

Publications

Achievements/Awards/Honors

2006, inducted into Sigma Xi Honor Society

2004, 2005, & 2006, awarded John E. Perry Teaching Assistant Prize at Cornell University

2003 National Science Foundation Honorable Mention

2000, inducted into Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Honor Society

2000, inducted into Chi Epsilon National Civil Engineering Honor Society

2000, inducted into Golden Key National Honor Society

2001, received Edward H. Phelps Senior Civil Engineering Award at the University of Vermont

2000, received Junior Civil Engineering Award at the University of Vermont

1999, received Reginald Milbank Sophomore Award at the University of Vermont

1999, received Tau Beta Pi Sophomore Award

1998, inducted into Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society

1997-2001, awarded Green Mountain Power Four-Year Scholarship to attend the University of Vermont

1997-2001, Vermont Scholars Program

Professional Affiliations

Hydrologic Frequency Analysis Work Group (HFAWG), a subcommittee of the Advisory Committee of Water Information of the U.S. Geological Survey

American Geophysical Union (AGU)

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE); Environmental and Water Resources Institute (EWRI)

Association of Environmental Engineering Scientists and Professors (AEESP)