The Louisiana Watershed Initiative, in partnership with technical experts, universities and federal agencies, has completed development of hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) models of Louisiana’s watersheds, marking a critical milestone in the effort to reduce flood risks statewide.

Following the 2016 floods, the state invested $130 million of its $1.2 billion CDBG-MIT grant into gathering data and developing scientific models of Louisiana’s major watershed to simulate flood scenarios and evaluate mitigation solutions.

The models and underlying data are accessible through the Environmental Data and Model Catalog, or EnDMC, where users with experience in modeling software can create accounts to search and download models and simulations. Tools for visualization of model data are also under development.

Modeling consultants contracted through DOTD developed models for seven regions, each encompassing multiple HUC-8 watersheds. These models incorporated guidance from technical experts at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Tulane University and the Water Institute, as well as state agencies (DOTD, CPRA, LDWF and DEQ) and federal partners.

LWI and its partners are offering model-training opportunities in each modeling region. The trainings are geared toward engineers, floodplain managers, local planners and government officials.

See the schedule below and contact watershed@la.gov with questions.

Click here to register for trainings.