[Publication] Decadal review of CREST model family

As we observe the 10th anniversary of the Coupled Routing and Excess STorage (CREST) hydrologic model, I find it both timely and imperative to elucidate the enduring contributions and future potential of this seminal work in the realm of hydrologic sciences and water resources management.

📌 Milestones in Hydrologic Modeling

Hydrologic models stand as an indispensable apparatus in understanding and predicting water-related natural hazards. Among a plethora of such models, the CREST model has distinguished itself as a pioneering quasi-global flood model that amalgamates remote-sensing data. Significantly, it also boasts the honor of being the inaugural operational deployment within the National Weather Service, offering real-time analyses at flash flood scales across continental expanses.

📘 A Decade of Evolution

Published in 2011, the CREST model has been ceaselessly refined to enhance its predictive capabilities for flood events, thereby serving as an invaluable resource in water management strategies. Over this decadal span, more than 80 peer-reviewed journal articles have cited the utilization of the CREST model, touching upon a myriad of aspects ranging from model development to global applications and the extension of its outreach to emergent regions.

🤝 Interdisciplinary Integration

One of the most compelling features of the CREST model is its amenability for coupling with other specialized models and schemes. For instance, it can be seamlessly integrated with weather forecast models, snowmelt models, land surface models, hydrodynamic models, groundwater models, and even landslide models and vector-based routing schemes. This facilitates a holistic approach to the study and management of water-related natural hazards.

🌏 Worldwide Applications & Emerging Regions

The footprint of the CREST model is global, with applications that have already made impactful strides in water resource management practices around the world. The model has a burgeoning presence in emerging regions, wherein its actionable insights can be particularly beneficial for policy-making and hazard mitigation.

🌐 Online Repository

To commemorate its 10th anniversary, an exhaustive digital archive of the CREST model family is available for scholarly perusal at CREST Family Documentation.

🚀 Future Directions

As we look forward to the next chapter of the CREST model, there are outlined trajectories aiming to stimulate fresh avenues of research. The model will continue to evolve, and we eagerly anticipate the novel solutions and advancements it will bring to hydrologic sciences.

I welcome collaborations and discussions that can amplify the impact of this groundbreaking work, as it pertains to both academic inquiry and practical applications in mitigating the risks associated with extreme weather events and climate change.