The National Ground Water Research and Educational Foundation (NGWREF) has selected Ty Ferre as the 2016 Henry Darcy Distinguished Lecturer. Ferre is a professor at the University of Arizona’s Department of Hydrology and Water Resources.

The lecture is named in honor of Henry Darcy France for his 1856 investigations that established the physical basis on which groundwater hydrogeology has been studied.

His lecture, titled “Seeing Things Differently: Rethinking the Relationship Between Data and Models,” explores how hydrology depends on computer models while, simultaneously, new methods have been developed for understanding the subsurface.

He mentions that the two areas have evolved independent of one another and highlights the need for a unified approach. His lecture will offer an integrated overview of the relationships among models, measurements and decisions, including:

• What is being measured when measurements are being made, focusing on the large scale, from pumping tests to geophysics.
• How the measurements are being merged with models and how the process could be improved.
• How hydrogeologists can turn the standard approach around by using models to identify more informative measurements.
• How the optimal design of a measurement and modeling campaign can be driven by the specific questions being asked.

The NGWREF, founded in 1994, is the charitable arm of the National Ground Water Association. It is focused on conducting educational, research and other activities that promote a broader understanding of groundwater use and access. NGWA is a nonprofit that supports responsible development, management and use of water resources. It’s comprised of groundwater professionals ranging from contractors to equipment manufacturers to scientists and engineers. For more information, visit www.ngwa.org.