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Welcome!

The Bucknell University Environmental Center and the Susquehanna River Heartland Coalition for Environmental Science invites you to attend the 7th Annual Susquehanna River Symposium. This year's event is flooding in the Susquehanna watershed. 2012 marks the 40th anniversary of Hurricane Agnes which in August 1972 delivered 18 inches of torrential rain in the watershed. Seventy-two people died and damaged topped $2.8 billion – about $14.3 billion in today’s dollars. Flood levels exceeded the record levels of the 1936 flood by as much as six feet in some places. It was the nation's most costly natural disaster until Hurricane Andrew hit in 1992 and Hurricane Katrina in 2004.
Harrisburg newspaper
Last year Tropical Storm Lee dumped almost 18 inches of rain over a narrow band through the central and northern parts of the Susquehann watershed, wreaking devastating impacts to homes, bridges, roads, and aquatic habitat in Loyalsock, Muncy, Swatara, and Fishing Creek watersheds.

Of the 1,400 communities in the river basin, 1,160 have residents who live in flood-prone areas. For these residents, flood warning and flood management and protection are of utmost concern.

GOAL
This symposium brings together scientists, engineers, planners, and community leaders to discuss flooding in the Susquehanna watershed and its impacts on human and aquatic life, infrastructure, tributary stream channels, and the Chesapeake Bay. Time permitting, we'll also explore the latest technologies and approaches to flood forecasting, floodplain management, and risk reduction.

WHERE
Terrace Room of the Elaine Langone Center on the campus of Bucknell University. More information the building location and parking are contained on this website.

WHEN
Friday's events are from 7pm to 10 pm.
Saturday's events are from 9 am until 2 pm
An optional showing of the flood documentary will be given on Saturday afternoon from 2 pm to 3:15 pm.

COST
All presentations are FREE and open to the public.

REGISTRATION
Registration is NOT required for this event. Welcome tables will be located at the entrance to the Terrace Room (Rm. 256) in the Langone Center. Staff will be present to help answer questions on Friday from 4:30 to 6:45 pm and Saturday from 7:30 to 9:00 am. They will provide everyone name tags and a folder containing a copy of symposium program and other materials.

FRIDAY'S SCHEDULE

Terrace Room, Elaine Langone Center
Bucknell University

7:00 pm
Opening
Dr. Peter Wilshusen
Executive Director
Bucknell University Environmental Center

7:10 pm
Welcome
Dr. John C. Bravman
President
Bucknell University


7:20 pm
Exploring the watershed through university research and collaborative partnerships
H. W. “Skip” Wieder
Executive Director
Susquehanna River Heartland Coalition
for Environmental Studies

7:30 pm
Keynote Address
“Floods, Droughts, and Everything In Between”
Paul Swartz
Executive Director
Susquehanna River Basin Commission


8:00 pm
The Connection to the Chesapeake Bay
Matthew J. Ehrhart,
PA Executive Director
Chesapeake Bay Foundation


8:30 - 10:00 pm
Student research posters,
agency exhibits, and evening social

SYMPOSIUM SCHEDULE

Download a symposium schedule here.
2012 River Symposium Schedule