Federal Grant Award Summary

This collaborative research project, funded by the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Geosciences program (CFDA 47.050) with $207,236 obligated on July 1, 2026, investigates how hydrologic intensification—rapid shifts between drought and extreme rainfall cycles—alters near-surface soil properties and their capacity to absorb, store, and move water. The primary deliverables include controlled field experiments conducted across three geographically diverse sites in Indiana, California, and Idaho to simulate extreme precipitation and drought conditions while measuring soil infiltration properties under varying soil, vegetation, and snow conditions. Complementary laboratory experiments will quantify how soil texture, vegetation density, compaction, freezing, and snow cover influence soil responses to hydrologic extremes.

Beyond direct research outputs, the project delivers significant educational and outreach products through training of graduate and undergraduate students, development of publicly available research tutorials, and dissemination of findings to stakeholders via workshops with farmers, water managers, and the scientific community. These activities collectively support improved water and land resource management practices and enhanced flood forecasting capabilities across agricultural, woodland, and mountain environments. The award, administered through California State University, East Bay Foundation, Inc., is scheduled for completion by June 30, 2029, with no subawards planned.