What do you do?
I study rivers, in their myriad dimensions. My work examines how rivers shape the landscape, how they transport the water and sediment supplied by their watersheds, and how the physical processes of rivers support the plants and animals that live along them.

Why should the general public be interested in what you do?
Throughout history, all major civilizations are tied to their rivers. The health of our communities, particularly here in the Central Valley, are inextricably linked to the health of our rivers. My work, along with numerous colleagues here on campus, helps us manage our relationship with our rivers.

Why does it interest you?
Rivers give us great insight into geologic processes that have shaped the past. The movement of sediment and water in rivers has sculpted the terrestrial surface of the earth for more than 3.5 billion years. Our study of the rivers of today gives us an understanding of the past and, just as important, a predictor of the future. And besides, it's a whole lot of fun to mess around in boats.

What major advances/discoveries have occurred in your research field over the last 10 years?
Over the past decade scientists have become increasingly aware of how seasonal changes in rivers influence the health of ecosystems as well as the people whose lives are dependent upon rivers. The 1400 dams and 6000 miles of levees in California are designed to eliminate this variability. The new approach to management of rivers is to re-establish variations in flow, including the very important winter and spring flood pulse. This new interdisciplinary field links together biology, geology, hydrology, engineering, law, land use planning, and more, and represents one of the frontiers in river study.