Logan Mahoney earned a master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering (CEE) and =secured a position as a graduate water resources engineer at ISG, a respected engineering consulting firm in her home state of Minnesota. As a graduate research assistant at IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering, Mahoney’s research focused on flood mitigation strategies in the Cedar River Watershed. Her work aimed to enhance natural filtration processes and implement distributed storage solutions, such as farm ponds, to reduce both the frequency and severity of flooding.
Mahoney’s project was part of Congressional Community Project Funding awarded to the Iowa Flood Center in 2023. As part of the project, Mahoney developed a computational model of the Cedar River to demonstrate how various flood mitigation strategies, such as native prairie grasses, cover crops, and distributed storage, could reduce peak streamflow. The model simulates the volume of water moving through the river, informed by geographic and hydrologic data such as terrain, land cover, stream channels, and soil types, combined with atmospheric data such as temperature and rainfall. Mahoney’s model was calibrated to replicate streamflow at various locations throughout the watershed, providing a reliable tool for the local Lower Cedar River Watershed Management Authority (WMA) to make data-driven decisions on flood management.
The project’s outcomes were significant. Mahoney’s model demonstrated how peak streamflow could be reduced with the selected methods, which were then shared in a comprehensive report to the Lower Cedar River WMA for use in future flood mitigation planning. “Part of the project’s value was not only creating the model but also directly sharing it with the local authorities who would benefit from it,” Mahoney explains.
Mahoney’s path to IIHR began with an undergraduate degree in environmental sciences at the University of Minnesota. Initially uncertain about her career direction, she was drawn to a hydrology class that sparked a passion for water. After considering various graduate programs, she was contacted by Larry Weber, the director of IIHR, whose presentation on IIHR’s long history of innovative hydrologic research helped her make the decision to pursue her graduate studies in Iowa City.
Though she did not have an engineering background, Mahoney found the transition to IIHR smoother than anticipated. “The professors and courses here really help you gain a deep understanding of the field,” she says. “Even without an engineering undergrad, I felt supported every step of the way. IIHR taught me to ask the right questions, to focus my research, and, most importantly, to know where and who to go to for resources and information. I feel it has prepared me for my future career.”
Beyond academics, Mahoney also built lasting relationships with fellow graduate students. One of her fondest memories is attending casual social events, where she was able to connect with peers. “The graduate hangouts were always a highlight. It’s a great chance to connect with all the diverse people in the program and cultivate deeper personal connections. Those relationships are ones I hope to keep for years to come.”
As she embarks on her career at ISG, Mahoney reflects with gratitude on her time at IIHR, excited for the future of flood mitigation and water resources engineering.