Engineering Commons^™

Utah Prototype For Visualizing Vulnerabilities Downstream Of Dams, Courtney Flint, Michael Englert, Nicolas Holden

Spring Runoff Conference

The climate question 

• Overtopping = 1/3^rd of all dam failures (ASDSO) 
• Drought concerns and supply uncertainty motivate keeping reservoirs full 
• Overtopping likelier if extreme storm when reservoir full 
• Over much of the country the probability of the annual daily maximum rainfall > 100-year event and the preceding 30-day rainfall >10-year event are going up (Hwang & Lall 2024) 

The Reform Of Prior Appropriation And The Fate Of Great Salt Lake, Christopher L. Lant, Rocky Seeley, Beth Parker, Andrew Follett

Spring Runoff Conference

Legal Issues Raised by the Decline of Great Salt Lake

• Violations of Clean Air Act from dust threaten federal intervention
• Petition to list Wilson’s Phalarope as an endangered species

Nutrient Inputs, Crop Removal, And Residual Soil Nitrogen Under Automated Surge Irrigation In Northen Utah, Ngoni Mufute

Spring Runoff Conference

Introduction

• Increasing pressure on already water scarce resources due to

• Climate Change and or variability

• Increasing demand and competition for water. E.g. due to -urban expansion

• Environmental concerns (Especially concerning the Great Salt Lake (GSL)-

• the shrinking of water levels in the GSL,

• increasing pollution levels in the GSL and

• the impact of these issues on industry,

• dust from the drying lakebed,

• increasing threat to both aquatic life and land animals

The Physical, Legal, And Modeling Infrastructure For Water Resource Management Has Reached A Tipping Point, Paul Brooks

Spring Runoff Conference

Addressing these challenges requires improved predictions of water supply

Supporting The Great Salt Lake: M&I Water Conservation Opportunities, Easton Hopkins

Spring Runoff Conference

Analysis of historical M&I water use, depletion, and conservation strategies to reduce anthropogenic impact on Great Salt Lake (GSL) while supporting M&I water needs.

Impacts Of Biochar And Fe/Zn-Doped Biochar On The Degradation And Transformation Of Pfas In Wastewater Biosolids Compost, Chase Fry, R. Ryan Dupont, Joan Mclean

Spring Runoff Conference

Background

• >5.8 million dry metric tons of biosolids were produced in 2018.
• It is difficult & expensive to landfill all biosolids produced.
• Biosolids are increasingly used as an agricultural fertilizer and soil amendment.

Ground Water Assessment Of Cache Valley Using Modern Tracing Techniques, Eric Humphrey, Bethany Neilson

Spring Runoff Conference

Monitor, analyze, and predict current and evolving dynamics of complex human and natural Earth-system interactions and to deliver actionable information at scales and timeframes relevant to decision makers.

Rethinking Harmful Algal Blooms In Utah Waters: A Paradigm Shift In Water Quality And Management, Kabilan Mani

Spring Runoff Conference

Droughts are intensifying in frequency and severity, straining already limited water supplies.

Hydrodynamics Of Bear Lake: Waves, Currents, Circulation, And Residence Times, Jeffrey Nielson

Spring Runoff Conference

Until we understand water movement, we’ll struggle to explain or manage what happens in Bear Lake.

Water Needs And Recovery Pathways For The Great Salt Lake, David Tarboton, Sarah Null, Bethany Neilson

Spring Runoff Conference

Main Points 

• Levels of GSL inherently fluctuate because of variability in precipitation and temperature that drive inflow and evaporation 
• Reductions in inflows due to water use are superimposed on this variability 
• Consistent delivery of conserved water offers the opportunity to shift the range of lake levels upwards reducing the occurrence of serious adverse effects and increasing the potential for healthy lake levels 
• Adding 250 thousand-acre ft/year reduces the occurrence of serious adverse effects from 61% to 28% over the long term 
• Adding 800 thousand-acre ft/year shifts the mean of variable lake levels to the lower end of the healthy lake …

Great Salt Lake Basin Integrated Plan, Laura Vernon

Spring Runoff Conference

What is the Great Salt Lake Basin Integrated Plan? A roadmap for managing water in ways that promote a healthy lake and a high quality of life in the basin.

Microplastics As Physical Hubs Amplifying Antiobiotic Resistance Under Mixed-Contaminant Selection In Wastewater Systems, Liyuan Hou

Spring Runoff Conference

Microplastics (MPs) are tiny plastic particles within the range of (0.1 mm to 5 mm) in size

Integrating Hydrology And Human Water Footprints: A Case Study Of The Great Salt Lake Watershed, Rocky Lynne Seeley

Spring Runoff Conference

A new model, comprehensively integrating hydrologic, water footprint, and virtual water data

A Conversation On Water, Camille Touton

Spring Runoff Conference

A conversation on water presentation at the 2026 Spring Runoff Conference.

What’S Next In Water Leasing Panel, Scott Hotaling, Adam Wickline, Hannah Freeze, Matt Anderson, Peter Stanton, Mitch Hancock

Spring Runoff Conference

Panel on water leasing at the 2026 Spring Runoff Conference.

Balancing Water Needs In Walker Basin, Peter Stanton

Spring Runoff Conference

Walker Lake 

Supported 50% of Mineral County economy 

Traditional homeland of Walker River Paiute Tribe (Agai Dicutta) 

World-class fishery

Annual Loon Festival

Utah’S Water Network Panel, Brad Mortensen, Kelly Pehrson, Nate Daugs, Brad Parry, Lindsie Smith, Camille Touton, Megan Nelson

Spring Runoff Conference

A panel on Utah's water network at the 2026 Spring Runoff Conference.

2026 Northern Utah Water Champion Award, Spring Runoff Conference

Spring Runoff Conference

Recognizes individuals who have demonstrated sustained, meaningful contributions to the stewardship, management, governance, or understanding of water in Northern Utah.

Utah State University’S Water Legacy, Brad Mortensen

Spring Runoff Conference

Utah State University's President, Brad Mortensen, presents at the 2026 Spring Runoff Conference.

Positive And Negative Pressure Distributions And Gas Migration Mechanisms Under Gas Drainage From Coal Seams Using Ultra-Long Directional Boreholes, Li Quanxin, Zhao Yuechen, Mou Quanbin, Wang Liang, Fang Jun, Wang Chenghao

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Gas drainage via ultra-long directional boreholes plays a significant role in gas control in coal mines. To ensure safe and efficient gas drainage using these boreholes, it is critical to determine the mechanisms behind positive- negative pressure coupling, as well as the dominant mechanisms governing gas migration. However, the evolutionary patterns of positive-negative pressure zoning within the boreholes and the primary factors influencing gas drainage efficiency have yet to be accurately characterized. Methods Under the engineering background of the Shendong Baode Coal Mine, this study developed a multi-field coupling model integrating diffusion, seepage, and in-borehole flow fields based on …

Spatiotemporal Variations And Their Influencing Factors For Vegetation Net Primary Productivity In The Shendong Coal Base, Yang Fei, Cui Kuankuan, Zhang Chengye, Li Jun, Dong Qiulin

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The Shendong coal base, located within the arid and semi-arid regions in western China, is identified as the region with the most pronounced contradiction between coal resource development and ecological conservation in the country. Analyzing the spatiotemporal variations in the ecosystem and their influencing factors at the base scale provides a necessary foundation for green mine construction while also offering critical support for regional sustainable development.Methods In this study, the vegetation net primary productivity (NPP) was selected as an indicator for the ecological evaluation of mining areas. By integrating data on terrain, weather and climate, socio-economy, and human …

Application Of A Generative Adversarial Network To Super-Resolution Reconstruction Of Fracture Images In Logging-While-Drilling Electrical Resistivity Imaging, Han Sen, Shen Chuanhai, Xu Chen, Tian Yimeng, Zhao Biao, Wang Ze, Liu Yongkang, Kang Zhengming

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Logging-while-drilling electrical resistivity imaging (LWD-ERI) enables the intuitive presentation of geobodies near wellbores in images, representing an important approach to the fine-scale evaluation of stratigraphic parameters while also providing significant geological guidance during the drilling of fractured reservoirs. However, this technique faces the challenge of low image resolution in real-time data processing due to its limited well-to-surface data transmission rates, exerting adverse impacts on the qualitative identification of wellbore fractures and the quantitative evaluation of their parameters. To address this issue, this study proposed a super-resolution image reconstruction method based on a generative adversarial network (GAN), aiming to achieve …

A Method For Fine-Scale Identification Of Collapse Columns Based On Offset Vector Tile Domain Seismic Data, Zhang Guangzhong, Liu Song, Shan Rui, Cai Wenrui

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objectives and Methods The YQ mining area in the Qinshui Basin is characterized by complex seismic and geological conditions, as well as well-developed collapse columns and flexure structures. Consequently, conventional three-dimensional (3D) seismic exploration fails to meet the precision requirements for safe coal mining. By constructing a physical model based on the actual geological conditions of the study area, this study conducted forward modeling for the seismic responses of collapse columns under varying azimuths. Accordingly, the azimuthal anisotropy of the collapse columns were systematically analyzed. By employing a regular noise suppression technique based on curvelet transform, combined with prestack migration …

Table Of Contents, The Editors

Coal Geology & Exploration

No abstract provided.

Biogasification Potential Of Medium- To High-Rank Coals And Its Controlling Mechanisms At A Molecular Structural Level, Bao Yuan, Li Jiajun, Li Dan, Chen Xueru, Wang Xiaojing

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Coals with varying metamorphic grades differ significantly in the potential for methane generation through microbial degradation. Medium- to high-rank coals can generate a substantial volume of methane through microbial degradation. However, key factors governing their biogasification potential remain poorly understood. This study aims to identify the dominant factors controlling the potential of medium- to high-rank coals for methane generation through microbial degradation, as well as relevant controlling mechanisms, from the perspective of molecular structures.Methods The Carboniferous-Permian medium- to high-rank coals along the eastern margin of the Ordos Basin were investigated in this study. Using experiments on the hydrocarbon …

Characteristics And Helium Generation Potential Of Ultra-Deep Marine Shales As Helium Source Rocks, Yuan Jiutao, Zhang Wenjin, Song Zezhang, Tian Xingwang, Luo Qingyong, Jin Shigui, Wang Shulong, Wu Meijia, Wang Li, Chen Hongbin, Gao Jiawei, Mikhail Spasennykh, Tagir Karamov

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Large-scale, effective helium source rocks serve as a material basis for the formation of a helium-rich gas field. In the Weiyuan area, Sichuan Basin, the helium-rich gas reservoirs within the Dengying Formation exhibit helium source rocks consisting of the pre-Sinian basement granites and the shales of the Cambrian Qiongzhusi Formation. Compared to the basement granites, studies on the shales of the Qiongzhusi Formation remain limited, including those on the occurrence characteristics of uranium (U)- and thorium (Th)-rich minerals and helium generation potential.Methods This study investigated the shales of the Qiongzhusi Formation, Weiyuan area, Sichuan Basin. By integrating field …

Mechanisms Behind The Controlling Effects Of Temperature-Pressure Conditions On The Dynamic Ch4–H2O Production From Bituminous Coal, Zhang Hewei, Shen Jian, Li Kexin, Wu Caifang

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background For deep coalbed methane (CBM) exploitation, the temperature-pressure synergistic effect in the CH₄-H₂O two-phase flow remains poorly understood, restricting the establishment of efficient CBM production systems.Methods This study investigated the No.13 coal seam in the Guanjiaya Coal Mine along the eastern margin of the Ordos Basin. Using low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI) techniques, this study explored the dynamic process of CH₄ displacing water and associated gas-water production mechanisms under different displacement pressures (2‒8 MPa) and temperatures (25 ℃ and 60 ℃).Results and Conclusions The sample used …

Enrichment Patterns And Accumulation Models Of Coalbed Methane Under Complex Geological Conditions: A Case Study Of The Xintian Coal Mine In Western Guizhou Province, China, Xu Shuai, Wu Caifang, Bie Xiaofei, Li Guangsheng, Fang Xiaojie, Wang Fangfang, Cheng Yi, Zhao Peng

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The Xintian Coal Mine, a critical coal-producing mine in western Guizhou Province, faces high risks of coal and gas outbursts and the challenge of low underground coalbed methane (CBM) extraction efficiency, necessitating surface CBM extraction. However, the complex geological conditions in the area limit well placement and the fracturing and gas drainage effectiveness. Therefore, there is an urgent need to systematically elucidate the occurrence characteristics and enrichment patterns of CBM in the area.Methods Based on data from exploration boreholes in the Xintian Coal Mine, combined with experiment and test results and log interpretations, this study revealed the physical …

Mechanisms Behind The Control Of Floor Failure In Deep Coal Mines By Hydraulic Fracturing Based On Power-Law Fracture Networks, Duan Hongfei, Ye Dayu, Zhao Lijuan, Zeng Yifan, Zou Junpeng, Yu Guofeng, Meng Xiang

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Hydraulic fracturing of coal seam floors represents an important technical approach to mitigating damage to the floor rock masses through proactive pressure relief and to improving seepage pathways. However, there is a lack of systematic, quantitative insights into the evolutionary characteristics of floor fracture networks, as well as their impacts on the stress redistribution and rock stability of coal seam floors, during hydraulic fracturing.Methods This study aims to address the challenge that is prone to cause severe damage to the floor rock masses. First, a coal seam floor was considered a saturated porous medium containing multi-scale fractures based …

Comparison Of Models For Predicting The Floor Failure Depths Of Coal Seams With Moderate Thicknesses And Above Under Fully Mechanized Mining, Xu Bin, Zhong Cen, Dong Shuning, Yin Shangxian, Wang Hao, Li Shuxia, Du Yongwei, Zhang Kebin

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The failure depth of a coal seam floor represents a critical parameter for assessing the risk of floor water inrushes. With the widespread application of fully mechanized mining with a large mining height, existing empirical equations suffer from insufficient accuracy when used to calculate the mining-induced floor failure depths of coal seams with moderate thicknesses and above.Methods Based on the compressive strength of coal seam floors (i.e., hard, moderately hard, and weak floors), 107 sets of data samples of the measured floor failure depths of coal seams with moderate thicknesses and above under fully mechanized mining were classified. …