Season 3 concludes with Dr. Ehab Meselhe, a professor in the Department of River Coastal Science and Engineering at Tulane University and one of Louisiana’s leading experts on coastal and watershed systems. Dr. Meselhe talks with host Kathryn Fenstermaker about why the Louisiana Watershed Initiative is unprecedented: it’s the first statewide effort to manage stormwater and reduce flood risk. He describes how his journey from Egypt’s Nile River to the University of Iowa and the Mississippi River shaped his passion for water resources, and how Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan serves as a template for LWI. Dr. Meselhe explains the interplay between inland watersheds and the coastal zone, particularly in transition areas like Lafayette, and advocates for natural and nature‑based solutions that use floodplains and wetlands to slow and store water.
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Integrating Science and Nature with Dr. Ehab Meselhe
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- April 26, 2023
- Episode: 5
- 41 mins
Episode Summary
“This is the first time we have approached stormwater management at a statewide level—it’s very exciting and promising.”
“Natural and nature‑based solutions use meandering rivers and vegetation to slow and retain water—concrete isn’t the only answer.”
Meet the Leader Behind the Vision
Dr. Ehab Meselhe is a professional engineer and professor of river coastal science and engineering at Tulane University. He has more than 30 years of experience researching coastal wetland hydrology, sediment transport, and computer modeling of coastal and watershed systems. Dr. Meselhe led the Mississippi River hydrodynamic and delta management study and contributed extensively to Louisiana’s 2017 Coastal Master Plan. He believes in integrating physical, ecological, and social processes in water management and stresses the importance of collaboration and public engagement.
“Water doesn’t know political boundaries; we must work across regions to keep these models alive and updated.”
Integrating Science and Nature: Dr. Ehab Meselhe on Louisiana’s Watershed Resilience
Episode Highlights
- Why LWI is unprecedented: the first statewide, collaborative effort to manage stormwater and reduce flood risk in Louisiana.
- How Dr. Meselhe’s early experiences on the Nile and training at the University of Iowa led him to Louisiana and the coastal hydrology field.
- The Coastal Master Plan as a template for LWI and differences between coastal and inland watershed challenges, particularly in transition zones.
- Importance of natural and nature‑based solutions: using meandering channels, vegetation, and floodplains instead of concrete ‘gray’ infrastructure.
- Why models and data must be updated regularly and integrated into planning decisions for long‑term resilience.
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