Our Projects

The results of this research will allow the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) to balance capabilities and resources in the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) by providing the flexibility to better utilize resources to maximize revenue, without wasting resources due to uncertainties in operation or the market. The accurate quantification and valuation of flexibility will provide guidance to BPA on when to optimally move electricity generation from one period to another, which would allow BPA to maximize revenue while increasing the reliability of the operation of reservoirs in the FCRPS to meet the electricity demands in the Pacific North West. Read more

We propose to develop a robust and computationally efficient framework for the real-time operation of multi-objective and multi-reservoir systems that accounts for uncertainty and flexibility.  In pursuit of this goal, we will devise a novel methodology for the incorporation of uncertainty into the system, investigate hybrid optimization approaches, allow for scalable parallelization in our numerical methods and combine all components into an integrated platform with a user-friendly graphical interface. Read more

The overall goal of the proposed research is to develop an overflow framework for the prediction and quantification of time-dependent overflow rates (e.g., CSOs) especially when the flow in the combined sewer system is highly dynamic (e.g., extreme events). The specific objectives of the research are ... Read more

• Project: Multi-purpose river hydraulics research facility (March 2012-December 2013)
  Description: Design and construction management of the “Multi-purpose river hydraulics research facility”. The river facility consists of a re-circulating system with a 20 m x 8 m concrete slab (platform for experiments), two independent head tanks, a sediment catchment, a clean water sump, pumps, and impulsion and return pipe lines. This hydraulic facility has been designed to accommodate two simultaneous and independent experiments. Any of these experiments could use flows up to 1000 L/s (~ 35 cfs). This river facility is a multi-purpose testing system that could be used for a large set of research projects such as flood control, reservoir sedimentation, density currents, erosion and scour, aquatic habitat, stream restoration, fish passage, hydraulic structure testing and dam removal (See webpage).
  Funding Agency: Research Equipment Reserve Fund, Oregon State University (RERF - OSU)
  PI: Arturo Leon

• Project: Design and Construction Management of a 10m-long flume (October 2011-March 2012)
  Description: Design and construction management of a 10 m long semi-circular (D = 18'') recirculatory flume. This facility is located in Graf Hall (OSU) and is intended to be used for academic purposes but it can be used for small-scale research. The maximum flow discharge is 10 liters per second. (See webpage)
  PI: Arturo Leon
  Funding Agency: Oregon State University

• Project: Development and Demonstration of an Improved Ranking Algorithm for Fish Passage through Culverts (March 2012-December 2012)
  Description: The overall goal of the research is to develop a computer algorithm to allow scientists and engineers to quickly determine if a culvert is acting as a fish passage barrier. Leon’s work focus in CFD simulations for the generation of two-dimensional velocity maps that are used in the fish passage analysis.
  Funding Agency: Federal Highway Administration/CTME
  PI: Hans Tritico
  Co-PI: Arturo Leon, Jose Vasconcelos

• Project: Omaha combined storm-sewer system (April 2012-August 2012)
  Description: Troubleshooting on the use of the Illinois Transient Model for the analysis of flow dynamics in the Omaha (Nebraska) Combined Storm-sewer system.
  Funding Agency: Northwest Hydraulic Consultants Inc.
  PI: Arturo Leon

• Project: Water Resources in a Changing Climate (2009-2012)
  Description: The focus of this project is to address basic research questions about potential effects of climate change on Idaho's hydrology. The main function of my research group is: (1) Design and develop real-time reservoir operation schemes, adaptive water management strategies under climate change, floods and drought conditions, (2) Develop and Apply advanced computer technology, decision support systems, mathematical programming and artificial intelligence involving reservoir planning, management and operations for water supply, hydropower, flood control, irrigation, wastewater management and conjunctive use of ground water and surface water in the Snake River (Idaho) and tributaries, and (3) Develop Dam safety risk assessment, analysis and modeling of dams and application of uncertainty analysis.
  Funding Agency: NSF EPSCoR program.

• Project: Dallas combined storm-sewer system (June-August 2010)
  Description: Troubleshooting on the use of the Illinois Transient Model for the analysis of flow dynamics in the Dallas Combined Storm-sewer system.
  Funding Agency: Northwest Hydraulic Consultants Inc.

• Project: Transient study of the Desplaines and Mainstream TARP system, Chicago (March 2009-July 2009)
  Description: Application of the Illinois Transient Model (ITM) for simulating the formation and propagation of hydraulic transients in the Desplaines and Mainstream system of the TARP project, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
  Funding Agency: The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC), Chicago, Illinois, USA.

• Project: Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) study of six complex hydraulic systems in the TARP System, Chicago, USA (November 2008-February 2009)
  Description: Curves of pressure head versus flow discharge for six complex hydraulic systems were obtained using the CFD model FLOW-3D. Each system included pumping stations, spillways, chutes, tidal gates, channel diversions and drop shafts.
  Funding Agency: The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC), Chicago, Illinois, USA.

• Project: Modeling of the Calumet and Mainstream / Des Plaines TARP Systems, Chicago, USA (July-December 2008)
  Position: Post-doctoral Research Associate.
  Description: Developing a hydrologic/hydraulic model for simulating overland flows, street flows, Curb-and-grate inlet flows and pipe flows in the Chicago city area. For the street and pipe flows a Finite volume-shock-capturing scheme was used.
  Collaborator: Prof. Leonardo Nania (Spain)
  Funding Agency: The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC), Chicago, Illinois, USA.

• Project: Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Study for eleven Low-Head Dams in Illinois (2008)
  Position: Post-doctoral Research Associate.
  Description: Structures for boat and fish passage at eleven dam sites in Illinois were proposed previously based on Laboratory studies. Currently, we are working on CFD analysis of the dams including the modifications proposed.
  Funding Agency: The Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

• Project: Geysering in a U-tube (May 2008 - July 2008)
  Position: Post-doctoral Research Associate.
  Description: Performing Experimental and numerical tests (using CFD and a 1D transient model) of transient flows in a U-tube with the objective of evaluating the conditions that would lead to geysering. 
  Funding Agency: The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC), Chicago, Illinois, USA.

• Project: Hydraulic Conveyance for the Saint Clair River. International Upper Great Lakes Study (IUGLS) (November 2007 -  2008)
  Position: Post-doctoral Research Associate.
  Description: Analysis of the conveyance of the Saint Clair River system. Hydraulic Performance Graphs (HPG's) were generated to assess the influence of the Lakes Huron and Saint Clair on the conveyance of the Saint Clair River. 
  Funding Agency: International Joint Commission (IJC).

• Project: Experimental and CFD Modeling of a Vortex Flow Restrictor (November 2007 - February 2008)
  Position: Post-doctoral Research Associate.
  Description: Performing Experimental study and Numerical analysis (using CFD) of a vortex flow restrictor (VFR). A VFR is a device installed at inlets or manholes to limit storm runoff entering a Combined Sewer System.
  Funding Agency: The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC), Chicago, Illinois, USA.

• Project: Phase I Modeling of the Calumet and Mainstream / Des Plaines TARP Systems, Chicago, USA (2007-2009)
  Position: Post-doctoral Research Associate
  Description: (1) Development of a numerical model for simulating the development, propagation, coalescence and release of air pockets in pipelines, (2) Conveyance analysis of the TARP systems, (3) Numerical modeling of possible geysering and transient phenomena in the TARP systems associated to heavy rainfall events, and (4) Impact of gate closures in the generation of transients.
  Funding Agency: The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC), Chicago, Illinois, USA.
   

• Project: Safe yield and Sedimentation analysis of Valenciano reservoir, Juncos, Puerto Rico (March 2007- May 2007)
  Position: Post-doctoral Research Associate
  Description: (1) Analysis of the sedimentation progress in the Valenciano reservoir (including deposition of sediments by turbidity currents) and (2) Safe yield analysis with and without sediments.
  Funding Agency: CSA Group, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

• Project: Tunnel and Reservoir Plan Project (TARP) Phase II, Chicago, USA (2003-2008)
  Position: Research Assistant
  Description: (1) Development of a mathematical and numerical model for the modeling of unsteady free surface flows, unsteady pressurized flows and the simultaneous occurrence of free surface and pressurized flows for complex tunnel networks (Finite volume & shock tracking-capturing schemes). This model is named the Illinois Transient Model (ITM), (2) Development of a mathematical and numerical model for the modeling of unsteady two-phase (air-water) waterhammer flows (Finite volume & shock capturing schemes), and (3) Applications of the developed models to simulate the formation and propagation of hydraulic transients in the Calumet system of the TARP project, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
  Funding Agency: The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC), Chicago, Illinois, USA.

• Project: The Botanical Gardens at the University of Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico (June 2005 – August 2005)
  Position: Research Assistant
  Description: Numerical modeling to determine the horizontal and vertical configuration
  of the Rio Piedras channel along the campus of the university and design of the upstream energy dissipation structure. 
  Funding Agency: The University of Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico.

• Project: Tunnel and Reservoir Plan Project (TARP) Phase I, Chicago, USA (2003)
  Position: Research Assistant
  Description: Development of a numerical model to determine the hydraulic capacity of each component of the Calumet TARP system, Chicago, Illinois.
  Funding Agency: The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC), Chicago, Illinois, USA.

• Project: Sedimentation management in combined sewer overflow storage reservoirs using water jets  (2003)
  Position: Research Assistant
  Description: Assisted performing experiments on water jets for removal of sediment.
  Funding Agency: The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC), Chicago, Illinois, USA.

• Project: Exploratory study of flow-particle interaction using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV)  (2003)
  Position: Research Assistant
  Description: Development of a numerical code for the tracking of sand particles in water flows. Thousands of frames are analyzed in order to get information on flow turbulence and particles carried by the flow.
  Funding Agency: The Marine Geophysics Program of the U.S. Office of Naval Research.

• Project: Infrastructure design of Cerro Yanacocha Stage 4, Cajamarca, Peru. (2002)
  Position: Staff Hydrologic and Hydraulic Engineer of Knight Piesold Consuting S.A.
  Description: Design of channels, culverts, detention ponds, dams, energy dissipation structures, spillways, sediment control structures, surface and underground drainage, etc.
  Funding Agency: Minera Yanacocha S.R.L.

• Project: Infrastructure design of Carachugo Stage 8, Cajamarca, Peru.  (2002)
  Position: Staff Hydrologic and Hydraulic Engineer of Knight Piesold Consuting S.A. 
  Description: Design of channels, culverts, sediment/erosion control structures and energy dissipation structures.
  Funding Agency: Minera Yanacocha S.R.L.

• Project: Upper Arkansas River Restoration Project, Colorado, USA. (September – December 2001)
  Position: Staff Hydrologic and Hydraulic Engineer of Knight Piesold Consuting S.A. 
  Description:  Design of drop structures, sediment/erosion control structures and detention ponds.
  Funding Agency: Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado, USA.

• Project: Definitive study for Huachuacaja Tailing Dam, Cerro de Pasco, Peru.  (2001)
  Position: Staff Hydrologic and Hydraulic Engineer of Knight Piesold Consuting S.A.
  Description: Water balance, design of spillways, channels and sediment/erosion control
  structures.
  Funding Agency: Sociedad Minera El Brocal S.A.

• Project: Pallca Hydrogeological Study, Ancash, Peru (2001)
  Position: Staff Hydrologic and Hydraulic Engineer of Knight Piesold Consuting S.A.
  Description: Calculation of flows at tunnel galleries.
  Funding Agency: Mitsui Mining

• Project: Hydrologic study of Conococha Lake, Ancash, Peru. (2001)
  Position: Staff Hydrologic and Hydraulic Engineer of Knight Piesold Consuting S.A.
  Description: Hydrological studies including surface flow measurements, measurement of infiltration, water balance, etc.
  Funding Agency: Minera Antamina S.A.

• Project: Control structure of Conococha Lake, Ancash, Perú.  (2001)
  Position: Staff Hydrologic and Hydraulic Engineer of Knight Piesold Consuting S.A.
  Description: Hydraulic design of the control structure of Conococha Lake.
  Funding Agency: Minera Antamina S.A.

• Project: Improvement and Construction of the Yura-Patahuasi-Santa Lucía Road to asphalt surface - Section IV, 50 km.  (1999-2000)
  Position: Assistant Engineer 2 of COSAPI S.A.
  Description: Hydraulic and structural design of more than 100 hydraulic structures, and field responsible of surface drainage and sediment/erosion control.
  Funding Agency: Ministry of Transport and Communications, MTC, Peru.

• Project: Protection of the piers of the Girasoles and Naña bridges, Rimac River, Chaclacayo, Lima (1998)
  Position: Independent Consultant Engineer
  Description: Study for the protection of the piers of the Girasoles and Naña bridges
  Funding Agency: DGAS - INRENA – Ministry of Agriculture, Peru

• Project: Hydraulic, Hydrologic and Geotechnic studies for the construction of the Omaya and Uviato bridges, La Convención, Cusco, Peru.  (1998)
  Position: Independent Consultant Engineer
  Description: Hydrologic and hydraulic studies for the design of the Omaya and Uviato bridges.
  Funding Agency: Proyecto Especial Sierra Centro Sur

• Project: Underground excavation of Tunnel I Chiara – Chontaca and associated works to the east, siphons and aqueducts. Chiara-Chontaca, Ayacucho, Peru (January 1996 -April 1996)
  Position: Assistant of Field Engineer (Instituto Nacional de Desarrollo - INADE)
  Description: Quality control of the construction of several hydraulic structures (canals, water intakes and sediment/erosion control structures)
  Funding Agency: Proyecto Rio Cachi (INADE), Peru

• Project: Construction of different facilities (channels, reservoirs, culverts, roads, etc.) for various local communities: Cangallo, Vilcas Huamán, Ocros, Tambillo, etc. – Ayacucho, Peru. (1994-1995)
  Position: Assistant of Field Engineer EL AGUA S.R.LTDA
  Description: Quality control of the construction of several hydraulic structures and assistant in the design of various hydraulic structures (water intakes, canals, sediment/erosion control structures).
  Funding Agency: Proyecto Rio Cachi, Proyecto Sierra Centro Sur, and Foncodes, Peru.