Listening to Water: Indigenous Knowledge, Youth Leadership, and the Future of Stewardship in a Changing Climate
Presenter: Justin R. Langan
Justin R. Langan is a Métis youth leader from Manitoba and the Executive Director of O’KANATA, a nonprofit organization that empowers Indigenous youth through education, cultural revitalization, and sustainability. His work brings together Indigenous knowledge, digital innovation, and community-based climate action, with a focus on rural, northern, and underrepresented communities. Justin has led initiatives in eco-literacy, youth employment, and digital storytelling, and has shared his work at international forums including the World Economic Forum, Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and Arctic policy dialogues. His work centres on creating pathways for Indigenous youth to lead in shaping more equitable and sustainable futures.
10:30 AM - 10:50 AM CWRA-SYP 2025-2026 Student Design Competition: St. Adolphe Ring Dike Design Presenters: Likwid Assets, University of Waterloo - Anna Beedell, Hannah Irvine, Julie Reitsma, Maya Jina, Ryan Wu
10:50 AM - 11:10 AM Abstract ID: 28747 Flooding is Temporary, Erosion is Permanent: Importance and Case Studies of Integrated Erosion and Flood Hazard Mapping in Canada Presenter: Robin McKillop, SLR Consulting Additional Authors: Dan McParland, SLR Consulting
11:10 AM - 11:30 AM Abstract ID: 29756 Bridging Global Flood Models and Local Decision-Making with Automated 2 m DEM-Consistent Mapping Presenter: Seth Bryant, CEFlood Additional Authors: Oliver Wing, Fathom
11:30 AM - 11:50 AM Abstract ID: 29758 Co-Development of Knowledge and Solutions to Flooding in Guyana: An Opportunity for Systems-Based Methods Presenter: Cody Danaher, McGill University Additional Authors: Alana Norville, University of Guyana ; Liam Kirkpatrick, Imperial College London ; Oluwasinaayomi Faith Kasim, University of Guyana ; Alexandra Collins, Imperial College London ; Gregory Williams, University of Louisiana at Lafayette; Andreas Nicolaidis Lindqvist, Research Institutes of Sweden & Stockholm Resilience Centre ;
Jan Adamowski, McGill University ; Chandra Madramootoo, McGill University
Environmental Engineering Undergraduate Student, University of Waterloo
I am a third year Environmental Engineering student at the University of Waterloo with a passion for water resources and sustainability. I am proud to represent the University of Waterloo with my peers as the back-to-back winners of the CWRA Student Design Competition.
Third year Environmental Engineering student, passionate about all things rivers, sediment, weather and design. Proud of our team LiKWid Assets for winning back to back Student Design Competition
Groundwater Management, Manitoba Environment and Climate Change
Zijian Wang is the Manager of Groundwater Management with Manitoba Environment and Climate Change, where he leads provincial efforts in groundwater monitoring, aquifer assessment, and sustainable water resource management. He oversees the development and modernization of groundwater... Read More →
1:30 PM - 1:50 PM Abstract ID: 28709 Assessing the Reliability of Hydrological Model Structures and Parameter Transfer across the Indian Subcontinent Presenter: Neharika Bhattarai, IIT Delhi Additional Authors: Martyn Clark, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary, Canada; Manabendra Saharia, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India; Darri Eythorsson, University of Calgary, Canada; Nicolas Vasquez, University of Calgary, Canada; Cyril Thébault, University of Calgary, Canada
1:50 PM - 2:10 PM Abstract ID: 28708 Do Hydrologic Models and Machine Learning Models Think About Data In The Same Way? Presenter: Scott Pokorny, University of Calgary Additional Authors: Tricia Stadnyk, University of Calgary
2:10 PM - 2:30 PM Abstract ID: 28669 Development of Rating and Capture Efficiency Curves for Stormwater Catch Basins Presenter: Fiona Scott, Northwest Hydraulic Consultants Additional Authors: Sophia Eugeni, Northwest Hydraulic Consultants; Ken Christison, Northwest Hydraulic Consultants
2:30 PM - 2:50 PM Abstract ID: 28271 Evaluating the Impacts of Proposed Outlet-Channels Operations on Suspended-Sediment Transport and Deposition in the Lake Manitoba-Lake Saint Martin -Lake Winnipeg System Presenter: Shimelis Asfaw Wakigari, Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure Additional Authors: Khaled Mohammed, Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure; Fisaha Unduche, Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure; Kibreab Assefa, Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure; Habtamu Tolossa, Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure
3:20 PM - 3:40 PM Abstract ID: 27177 Evaluating the Flood Hazard Model Underpinning the Federally-Identified Flood Risk Areas Presenter: Sarah Hayes, Government of Canada / Public Safety Additional Authors: Robin Bourke, Public Safety; Jennifer Pellerin, Public Safety; Julie Van de Valk, Public Safety; Karl Chastko, Public Safety; Sara Karam, Public Safety; Mike Ballard, formerly Public Safety
3:40 PM - 4:00 PM Abstract ID: 28636 Regional-Scale Flood Modelling Based on Estimated Bathymetry from LiDAR Data: Automated Workflows Tested Across Two Canadian Watersheds Presenter: Guénolé Choné, Concordia University Additional Authors: Iulia Mazgareanu, Concordia U.; Pascale Biron, Concordia U.; Thomas Buffin-Bélanger, UQAR
4:00 PM - 4:20 PM Abstract ID: 28783 Evaluating HEC-RAS 6.7 for Regional Urban Pluvial Flood Modelling: A Case Study of Pipe Network Integration and Reduced Rainfall Approaches Presenter: Maxim Fortin, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) Additional Authors: Cody Haase, University of Waterloo; Heather McGrath, NRCan; Brian Perry, NRCan 4:20 PM - 4:40 PM Abstract ID: 28784 A National, Climate‑Responsive Framework for Annual Flood Susceptibility Mapping in Canada (2000–2023) Presenter: Brian Perry (for Heather McGrath), Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
4:40 PM - 5:00 PM Abstract ID:28860 Citywide Modelling and Mapping of Extreme Pluvial Flood Hazards, City of Vancouver Presenter: Derek Stuart, Northwest Hydraulic Consultants
