Integrated water resource management - GIS applications and machine learning for optimizing water resources - Doctor of Philosophy dissertation

Aug 5, 2026

This dissertation develops and evaluates integrated water resource management approaches that combine GIS capabilities with machine learning to optimize water resources and improve drought-related decision-making. A machine learning framework is built to project future drought conditions in Iowa, accompanied by an interactive application to support exploration of results. The work includes model performance assessment, interpretability and explanation analysis, comparisons between historical and projected drought patterns, and discussion of findings for water management applications.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages142

Reading Time5 h 58 min

AccessFree to download

CHAPTER 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Background and Motivation

Research Objectives

References

CHAPTER 2. PROJECTION AND ASSESSMENT OF FUTURE DROUGHTS IN IOWA: DEVELOPING A MACHINE LEARNING MODEL AND AN INTERACTIVE APPLICATION

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Study Area

Drought Projection Model

IDF Analysis

Future Drought Viewer App

Results

Model Performance

Explanation of the Model

Iowa Drought Projections

Assessment of Future Droughts

Discussion

XAI Model Analysis and Evaluation

Comparing Historical and Projected Droughts for Water Management

Contrast with other models

Conclusions

Declaration of competing interest

Authorship contribution statement

Data availability

References

Integrated water resource management: GIS applications and machine learning for optimizing water resources. by Ingrid Katherinne Cintura Rojas A dissertation submitted to the graduate faculty in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Major: Civil Engineering Program of Study Committee: Antonio Arenas, Major Professor Brian Gelder Chris Rehmann Julie Dickerson Kaoru Ikuma The student author, whose presentation of the scholarship herein was approved by the program of study committee, is solely responsible for the content of this dissertation. The Graduate College will ensure this dissertation is globally accessible and will not permit alterations after a degree is conferred. Iowa State University Ames, Iowa 2025 Copyright © Ingrid Katherinne Cintura Rojas, 2025. All rights reserved. DEDICATION To my beloved husband, Jaime—my steadfast mast and sail in the unpredictable seas of life. Thank you for being my guiding star through every storm and my unwavering anchor in moments of calm. To my siblings, Paula and Mateo—you are the dreamers who remind me daily of life's boundless possibilities. Your passion, courage, and unrelenting belief in the power of dreams fuel my hope for the future. To my parents, Esperanza and Marco Tulio—thank you for building the foundation upon which I stand today. Your faith in me has been the bedrock of my strength, and your lessons in resilience, love, and integrity are the principles I carry with me every day. Your unwavering love and unconditional support have been my constant motivation and inspiration. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................................ v LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................ vii NOMENCLATURE ..................................................................................................................... viii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................................. ix ABSTRACT.................................................................................................................................... x CHAPTER 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION ........................................................................... 1 Background and Motivation ....................................................................................................... 1 Research Objectives .................................................................................................................... 4 References ................................................................................................................................... 5 CHAPTER 2. PROJECTION AND ASSESSMENT OF FUTURE DROUGHTS IN IOWA: DEVELOPING A MACHINE LEARNING MODEL AND AN INTERACTIVE APPLICATION........................................................................................................................... 6 Abstract ....................................................................................................................................... 6 Introduction................................................................................................................................. 7 Methods ..................................................................................................................................... 11 Study Area ............................................................................................................................. 12 Drought Projection Model .................................................................................................... 12 IDF Analysis ..............................................................................................................

FAQs

What is the main focus of the dissertation?

The dissertation focuses on integrated water resource management by using GIS applications and machine learning to optimize water resources and support drought-related analysis.

How does the study project future droughts in Iowa?

It develops a machine learning model for drought projection, performs IDF analysis, and produces drought projections specific to Iowa.

What decision-support tool is included in the research?

An interactive “Future Drought Viewer” application is included to enable exploration of projected drought results for water management.

Aug 5, 2026

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