Much of the arid and semiarid western United States is affected by flash flooding associated with infrequent extreme rain events. Floods have large social and economic consequences for communities and individuals. Thus, flood hazard assessment is important to reduce flood-related risks and support sustainable development.

Flood prediction relies heavily on hydrologic models, which are plagued by substantial uncertainties. To improve model performance, SSCAFCA established an outdoor laboratory called the Arid Hydrology Research Area (AHRA) in 2022. AHRA is situated on a four-acre parcel of land in Rio Rancho. The site is used to conduct runoff experiments using a rainfall simulator, a device that can reproduce the intense rainfall often observed during the summer Monsoon. Research is guided by Dr. Schoener, SSCAFCA Senior Hydrologist, with the aid of civil engineering graduate students from the University of New Mexico.  Results will be used to develop guidance for hydrologic modeling that is widely applicable throughout the semiarid Southwest to reduce the uncertainty associated with flash flood prediction.