Keywords

  • biogeochemistry
  • biogeochemsitry
  • biophysics
  • ecohydrolgoy
  • ecohydrology
  • ecology
  • engineering
  • environmental fluid mechanics
  • environmental nanotechnology
  • hydrology
  • math
  • modeling
  • pollutant transport
  • water quality
  • water resources
  • water resources engineering
  • watershed hydrology

Walter, Michael Todd

Assistant Professor
I balance my professional activities between research and teaching, with emphases on the interactions among hydrology, ecology, and biogeochemistry. Teaching is central to my career and excellence and creativity in this arena are important personal goals. Research is equally important and I apply physical hydrology and water resources engineering to a broad range of multidisciplinary research interests. I enjoy good collaborative relationships with ecologists, biogeochemists, molecular biochemists and others allowing me to pursue questions that cross the traditional academic boundaries of hydrology and terrestrial ecology. My research is generally mechanistic largely focusing on how hydrological processes affect transport, distribution, and fate of chemicals, sediment, and organisms. I divide my research methods evenly among field study, laboratory experimentation, and modeling and my research questions span a wide range of scales, both temporally (minutes to decades) and spatially (centimeter to continent). Specific areas of hydrological specialization include environmental fluid mechanics, contaminant transport, cold-regions hydrology, watershed modeling, groundwater, environmental biophysics, and watershed biogeochemistry.

research

research and scholarship focus

My research focuses on hydrology and its interaction with ecological and biogeochemical systems. As such, much of my work is highly collaborative with ecologists, microbiologists, and other biological scientists. What I bring to these collaborations is an analytically mechanistic perspective on ecohydrology. Altough my there is substantial scientific and engineering breadth in my lab, much of our work is built around two focus areas:|1)Linkages between hydrology and biogeochemical hotspots|2)Nano-biotechnology applications to ecohydrological systems

research areas

international geographic focus

domestic geographic focus

affiliations

faculty appointment in

member of graduate field

teaching

teaching focus

The goal of my teaching is primarily to inspire interest in hydrology and water resources. I believe in using real-life problems in lieu of “textbook” questions and in facilitating opportunities for hands-on, in-the-field, experiences. In lectures I try to emphasize concepts and use mathematics as much to reinforce those concepts as to build quantifying tools for hydrological analysis. Those outside of engineering often find the idea of hydrology or fluid mechanics intimidating and one of my professional goals is teach hydrology in ways that bring scientific disciplines together.

teaches

service

outreach focus

The objective of my extension activities is to bridge the gap between scientific understanding of hydrology and applications of environmental protection by water resources managers, engineers, and planners. In addition to working to provide these practitioners with in-house training and assistance, my lab also works to develop user-friendly Internet tools, usually using Internet Mapping Servers (IMS) to help visualize how pollutant risks are distributed across the landscape.

current professional activities

  • American Geophysical Union (AGU)
  • American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE)
  • American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
  • Mendenhall Watershed Partnership
  • University of Alaska Watershed Council
  • Cornell Engineering Society
  • Cayuga Lake Watershed Network
  • AK EPSCoR High Latitudes Envir. Contaminant Consortium
  • Engineer in Training (EIT) - Working towards PE
  • Manuscript Reviewer for:
    Water Resources Research
    Hydrological Processes
    Journal of Atmospheric & Oceanic Technology
    Journal of Soil and Water Conservation
  • Grant Proposal Reviewer for:
        USGS and USDA

background

educational background

  • BS, Biological and Environmental Engineering department, Cornell, 1990
  • Masters, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell, 1991
  • PhD, Engineering Science, Washington State University, 1995

professional background

  • Assistant Professor, Biological and Environmental Engineering Department, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, present 
  • Sr Research Associate, Biological and Environmental Engineering Department, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, Fall 2001
  • Assistant Professor, Environmental Science, University of Alaska Southeast, Juneau, AK, Fall 1999-2001
  • Assistant Professor, Industrial and Engineering Technology, Montana State University Northern, Havre, MT, Spring 1999
  • Hydrologist (Adjunct), Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (w/ Dr. L.O. Hedin), Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, Fall 1996-Fall 2001
  • Research Associate, Biological and Environmental Engineering Department, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, Fall 1995-2001
  • Instructor,     Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, Fall 1995-Fall 1998
  • Instructor, Environmental Science Department, SUNY Brockport, Brockport, NY, Fall 1995

publications

selected publications (listing in progress)

Agnew, L.J., S. Lyon, P. Gérard-Marchant, V.B. Collins, A.J. Lembo, T.S. Steenhuis, M.T. Walter. 2006. Identifying hydrologically sensitive areas: Bridging science and applications. J. Envir. Mgt. 78: 64-76.  


Lyon, S.W., A.J. Lembo, M.T. Walter, T.S. Steenhuis. 2006. Defining probability of saturation with indicator kriging on hard and soft data. Advances in Water Resour. 29(2): 181-193.  


Lyon, S.W., J. Seibert, A.J. Lembo, M.T. Walter, T.S. Steenhuis. 2006. Geostatistical investigation into the temporal evolution of spatial structure in a shallow water table. Hydrol. Earth Sys. Sci. 10: 113-125.  


Lyon, S.W., M. McHale, M.T. Walter, T.S. Steenhuis. 2006. Effect of runoff generation mechanism on estimating land use control of P concentrations. J. Am. Water. Resour. Assoc. (in press).
 
Shaw, S.B., M.T. Walter, T.S. Steenhuis. 2006. A physical model of particulate wash-off from rough impervious surfaces. J. Hydrol. (in press).  


Tripler, C., S.S. Kaushall, G.E. Likens, M.T. Walter. 2006. Environmental change and the role of potassium in forested ecosystems. Ecosystems. (accepted)


Gao, B., M.T. Walter, T.S. Steenhuis, T.S. Steenhuis, J.-Y. Parlange, B.K. Richards, W.L. Hogarth, C.W. Rose, G. Sander. 2005. Investigating raindrop effects on the transport of sediment and non-sorbed chemicals from soil to surface runoff. J. Hydrol. 308: 313-320.


 G'erard-Marchant, P., M.T. Walter, T.S. Steenhuis. 2005. Two simple models of phosphorus release during simulated rainfall. J. Environ. Qual. 34: 872-876.  


Hogarth, W.L., J.-Y. Parlange, C.W. Rose, C. Fuentes, R. Haverkamp, M.T. Walter. 2005.Interpolation between Darcy–Weisbach and Darcy for laminar and turbulent flows. Advances in Water Resour. 28(10):1028-1031.
 
Malvicini, C.F., T.S. Steenhuis, M.T. Walter, M.F. Walter. 2005. Evaluation of spring flow in the uplands of Matalom, Leyte, Philippines. Advances in Water Resour.28(10):1083-1090.  


Sinkevich, M.G., M.T. Walter, A.J. Lembo, B.K. Richards, N. Peranginangin, S.O. Aburime, T.S. Steenhuis. 2005. A physically-based tool for risk assessment of groundwater contamination. Groundwater Monitoring & Remediation. 25(4): 82-91.
 
Walter, M.T., E.S. Brooks, D.K. McCool, L.G. King, M. Molnau, J. Boll. 2005. Process- based snowmelt modeling: Does it require more input data than temperature-index modeling? J. Hydrol. 300(1-4): 65-75.  


Walter, M.T. and D.K. McCool. 2005. Closure: A simple snowdrift model for distributed hydrological modeling. ASCE J. Hydrol. Eng. 10(6): 524-525.  


Walter, M.T., V.K. Mehta, A.M. Marrone* , J. Boll, P. G'erard-Marchant, T.S. Steenhuis, M.F. Walter, C.A. Scott. 2005. Closure: A simple estimation of the prevalence of Hortonian flow in the New York City watersheds. ASCE J. Hydrol. Eng. 10(2): 169-170.  


Walter, M.T. and S.B. Shaw. 2005. Discussion: "Curve number hydrology in water quality modeling: Uses, abuses, and future directions" by Garen and Moore. J. Am. Water Resour. Assoc. 41(6): 1491-1492.

Diess, J.*, (SE AK wetland team, alphabetically) D. Clover, D. D'Amore, A.Love, M. Menzies, J. Powell, M.T. Walter. 2004. Transport of lead and diesel fuel through a peat soil near Juneau, AK: A pilot study. J. Contam. Hydrol. 74: 1-18.  


Gao, B., M.T. Walter, T.S. Steenhuis, W.L. Hogarth, J.-Y. Parlange. 2004. Rainfall induced chemical transport from soil to runoff: Theory and experiments. J. Hydrol. 295(1-4): 291-304.


 Lyon, S.W., P. Gerard-Marcant, M.T. Walter, T.S. Steenuis. 2004. Using a topographic index to distribute variable source area runoff predicted with the SCS-Curve Number equation. Hydrol. Proc. 18(15): 2757-2771.    

Rose, C.W., B. Gao, M.T. Walter, T.S. Steenhuis, J.-Y. Parlange. K. Nakano, W.L. Hogarth. 2004. Reply to comment on 'Investigating ponding depth and soil detachability for a mechanistic erosion model using a simple experiment' given by P.I.A. Kinnell. J. Hydrol. 289: 307-308.  


Mehta, V.K., M.T. Walter, E.S. Brooks, T.S. Steenhuis, M.F. Walter, M. Johnson, J. Boll, D. Thongs. 2004. Application of SMR to modeling watersheds in the Catskill Mountains. Envir. Modeling & Assessment 9(2): 77-89.  
Walter, M.T., D.K. McCool, L.G. King, M. Molnau, G.S. Campbell. 2004. .A simple snowdrift model for distributed hydrological modeling. ASCE J. Hydrol. Eng. 9(4): 280-287. >  


Walter, M.T., D. Wilks, J.-Y. Parlange, R.L Schnieder. 2004. Increasing evapotranspiration from the conterminous U.S. J. Hydrometeo. 5(3): 405-408.

Gao, B., M.T. Walter, T.S. Steenhuis, J.-Y. Parlange, K. Nakano, C.W. Rose, W.L. Hogarth. 2003. Investigating ponding depth and soil detachability for a mechanistic erosion model using a simple experiment. J. Hydrol. 277(1-2):116-124.  


Heilig, A., T.S. Steenhuis, M.T. Walter. 2003. Funneled flow mechanisms in sloping layered soil: Field investigation. J. Hydrol. 279: 210-223.  

Kendy, E., P. Gerard-Marchant, M.T. Walter, Y. Zhang, C. Liu, T.S. Steenhuis. 2003. A soil-water-balance approach to quantifying groundwater recharge from irrigated cropland in the North China Plain. Hydrol. Proc. 17:2011-2031.  

Mendoza, G.F., M.T. Walter, T.S. Steenhuis, J.-Y. Parlange. 2003. Estimating basin-wide hydraulic parameters of a semi-arid mountainous watershed by recession-flow analysis. J. Hydrol. 279: 57-69.,  
Walter, M.T., V.K. Mehta, A.M. Marrone* , J. Boll, P. G'erard-Marchant, T.S. Steenhuis, M.F. Walter, C.A. Scott. 2003. A simple estimation of the prevalence of Hortonian flow in the New York City watersheds. ASCE J. Hydrol. Eng. 8(4):214-218.

Neal, E.G., M.T. Walter, C. Coffeen* . 2002. Linking the Pacific Decadal Oscillation to seasonal stream discharge patterns in Southeast Alaska. J. Hydrol. 263(1-4):188-197.  

Walter, M.T., T.S. Steenhuis, V.K. Mehta, D. Thongs , M. Zion, E. Schneiderman. 2002. A refined conceptualization of TOPMODEL for shallow-subsurface flows. Hydrol. Proc.16(10): 2041-2046.

Geohring, L.D., O.V. McHugh, M.T. Walter, T.S. Steenhuis, M.S. Akthar , M.F. Walter. 2001. Phosphorus transport into subsurface drains by macropores after manure applications: Implications for best manure management practices. Soil Sci. 166(12):896-909. 


Heilig, A., D. DeBruyn* , M.T. Walter, C.W. Rose, J.-Y. Parlange, T.S. Steenhuis, G.C. Sander, P.B. Hairsine, W.L. Hogarth, L.P. Walker. 2001. Testing a mechanistic soil erosion model with a simple experiment. J. Hydrol. 244:9-16.  


Salmon, C.D.* , M.T. Walter, L.O. Hedin, and M.G. Brown. 2001. Hydrological controls on chemical export from a remote old-growth forest in Chile. J Hyrdol. 253(1-4):69-80.  


Scott, C.A., M.F. Walter, G.N. Nagle, M.T. Walter, N.V. Sierra* , E.S. Brooks. 2001. Residual phosphorus in runoff from a successional forest on abandoned agricultural land: Biogeochemical and hydrological processes. Biogeochemistry. 55(3):293-309.  

  Steenhuis, T.S., J. Caldero Rivera* , C.J. Martinez Hernadez* , M.T. Walter, R.B. Bryant, EP. Nectarios. 2001. Water repellancey in New York State soils. J. International Turfgrass Soc. 9:624-628.    

Walter, M.T., E.S. Brooks, M.F. Walter, T.S. Steenhuis, C.A. Scott, J. Boll. 2001. J. Soil and Water Conserv. 56(4):329-336.    

Walter, M.T., J.-Y. Parlange, M.F. Walter, X. Xin, C.A. Scott. 2001. Modeling pollutant release from a surface source during rainfall-runoff. J. of Envir. Qual. 30(1):151-159.
   
Norman, W.R., M.T. Walter, M.F. Walter, and E.S. Brooks. 2000. Irrigation distribution and rotation methods among gravity flow systems of the West African Sahel. ASCE Division of Irrigation and Drainage. 126(5):304-313.  


Walter, M.T., J.-S. Kim, T.S. Steenhuis J.-Y. Parlange, A. Heilig, R.D. Braddock, J. Selker, J. Boll. 2000. Funneled flow mechanisms in sloping layered soil: Laboratory investigation. Water Resour. Res. 36(4):841-849.  


Walter, M.T., M.F. Walter, E.S. Brooks, T.S. Steenhuis, J. Boll, K.R. Weiler. 2000. Hydrologically sensitive areas: Variable source area hydrology implications for water quality risk assessment. J. Soil and Water Conserv. 3:277-284.  


Weiler, K.R., M.T. Walter, M.F. Walter, E.S. Brooks, C.A. Scott. 2000. Seasonal risk analysis for flood plains in the Delaware River Basin. ASCE J. of Water Resour. Planning and Mgt. 126(5):320-329.
   
Frankenberger, J.R., E.S. Brooks, M.T. Walter, M.F. Walter, T.S. Steenhuis. 1999. A GIS-based variable source area model. Hydro. Proc. 13(6):804-822.  


Walter, M.T., P. Mutch, C.D. Salmon* , D.K. McCool, L.O. Hedin. 1999. Digitizing chart recorder data: Coordinate system conversion for rain gages and similar recording instruments. J. of Atmos. and Oceanic Tech. 16(8):1138-1142.  

Walter, M.T. and M.F. Walter. 1999. The New York City Watershed Agricultural Program (WAP): A model for comprehensive planning for water quality and agricultural economic viability. Water Resources Impact 1(5):5-8.    

McCool, D.K., M.T. Walter, L.G. King. 1995. Runoff index values for frozen soil areas in the Pacific Northwest. J. Soil and Water Conserv. 50(5):466-469.
   
Collick, A.S., E.A. Fogarty, P.E. Ziegler, M.T. Walter, D.D. Bowman, T.S. Steenhuis. . Survival of Cyrptosporidium Parvum oocyst in calf housing facilities in the New York City watersheds. J. Envir. Qual.  


Gao, B., M.T. Walter, J.-Y. Parlange, T.S. Steenhuis, K. Nakano, C.W. Rose, W.L. Hogarth. . Looking at shielding behavior in Rose's raindrop erosion model. J. Hydrol.  


Mendoza, G.F., M.T. Walter. . Searching for interflow with Monsieur Boussensq: A reinterpretation of recession flow behavior. Water Resour. Res.
 
Mendoza, G.F., M.T. Walter, T.S. Steenhuis, M.J. Pheffer. . Using community understanding of local hydrology to model stream response in rural Oaxaca, Mexico.
 
Schwarz, T.* , S. Seifert* , M.T. Walter. . Detection glacial outburst floods on Lemon Creek, Southeast Alaska: A paired watershed approach.  


M.T. Walter, L.O. Hedin, Salmon, C.D, M.G. Brown, Weathers, K.C... Watershed hydro-chemical budget for a remote old-growth forest in Chile. Biogeochemistry.  

  Weathers, K.C., W.C. Keene, J.L. Moody, M.T. Walter, L.O. Hedin, M. Brown, G.M. Lovett, J. Armesto, J.N. Galloway, G.E. Likens, C. Perez, H. Johnson.. Atmospheric nutrient sources to remote coastal forests in Southern Chile. Ecology

speaker at Cornell event

Keywords: biogeochemistry, biogeochemsitry, biophysics, ecohydrolgoy, ecohydrology, ecology, engineering, environmental fluid mechanics, environmental nanotechnology, hydrology, math, modeling, pollutant transport, water quality, water resources, water resources engineering, watershed hydrology