The story of the Watershed Modeling System began in the late 20th century at (BYU). The software was originally developed by BYU's Environmental Modeling Research Laboratory (EMRL). The vision was to create a tool that could take complex digital terrain data and turn it into highly accurate, scannable maps that predict how water moves across land after heavy rainfall. 🪖 Military Funding and The Balkans
Perhaps the most dramatic chapter in the WMS story happened in in Salt Lake City, Utah. During the planning of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games , there were immense concerns about domestic security and infrastructure protection. Security planners utilized WMS software to simulate a nightmare scenario: a terrorist attack on local water infrastructure, specifically targeting the Jordanelle Reservoir . By modeling a potential dam breach or contamination event, officials were able to formulate emergency response plans that kept the athletes and the public safe. 💻 Transition to Aquaveo watershed-modeling-system
The history of WMS is a fascinating story of academic innovation intersecting with military and civil defense needs. 🎓 The Birth at BYU The story of the Watershed Modeling System began
In , WMS was put to the ultimate test in a real-world theater of operation. The Army Corps of Engineers used the software to model runoff and river behaviors in the Sava River basin in Bosnia to help stabilize infrastructure and predict flooding risks following regional conflict. 🏂 Defending the Olympics 🪖 Military Funding and The Balkans Perhaps the
💡 Today, WMS is used globally to help engineers size culverts so roads don't wash out, map flood zones to protect homeowners, and manage precious water resources. Department of Defense Watershed Modeling System