How does one explain to various groups of people how highly complex hydrological phenomenon affect a given area? It’s a critical question, since the success of water management in any location rests on those involved in water management being informed of the challenges, opportunities, and realities before them. 

It’s the question that’s top of mind for the Department of Civil, Geological, and Mining Engineering’s Professors Elmira Hassanzadeh (a specialist in water resource modeling and integrated management) and Ahman Shakibaeinia (Canada Research Chair in computational hydraulics). When the two professors seek to  communicate their results to stakeholders – in some cases, farmers or others with practical concerns – they often note that people can be less than receptive to complex data in the form of tables or graphs. 
 
In order to ensure their message was being understood, and to help foster solutions that could meet everyone’s needs, Professors Hassanzadeh and Shakibaeinia created a 3D modeling tool from a model developed by researchers at University of California, Davis. Originally intended to teach hydrology and hydraulics, their tool was supported by the Fonds d'actions pédagogiques stratégiques - FAPS during its development.

This tool links a sandy surface to virtual reality. By changing the sandy surface, various topographic characteristics of a geographical zone can be represented. Virtual reality ensures that the results and consequences of water resource management choices are made evident, right before everyone’s eyes. The tool has an integrated platform that enables the Professors to engage with the general public, which in turn helps to generate shared solutions – as well as a better chance that those solutions will be accepted and adopted.