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FHS Receives ASCE Best Paper Award for Diversion Runoff Calculator Research

Follum Hydrologic Solutions (FHS) is proud to announce that our paper, “Development of the Diversion Runoff Calculator to Estimate Agricultural Water Consumption and Irrigation Diversions at the Field- to Basin-Scale in Northeastern Utah,” has received the 2026 Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering Best Paper Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Environmental & Water Resources Institute (EWRI). The award recognizes outstanding contributions published in the Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering.

The Diversion Runoff Calculator (DRC) is an innovative decision-support tool that estimates agricultural water consumption and irrigation diversions from the field scale to entire river basins. By combining field water balance methods, remote sensing, and operational water management models, the DRC helps water managers evaluate conservation strategies, improve water accounting, and support informed decision-making in water-scarce regions.

The award was presented during the 2026 World Environmental and Water Resources Congress in Mobile, Alabama. Accepting the award on behalf of the author team were Dr. Michael Follum (Follum Hydrologic Solutions), Leland Dorchester (Precision Water Resources Engineering), and Bart Leeflang (Central Utah Water Conservancy District).

This recognition reflects the collaborative efforts of researchers and water managers from Follum Hydrologic Solutions, Precision Water Resources Engineering, Central Utah Water Conservancy District, and other project partners who worked together to develop practical tools that advance irrigation management and water resources planning.

Photo caption: Dr. Michael Follum (Follum Hydrologic Solutions), Leland Dorchester (Precision Water Resources Engineering), and Bart Leeflang (Central Utah Water Conservancy District) accept the 2026 ASCE Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering Best Paper Award at the World Environmental and Water Resources Congress in Mobile, Alabama.

Access to the paper: https://cra.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/follum-et-al-2025-development-of-the-diversion-runoff-calculator-to-estimate-agricultural-water-consumption-and.pdf