Scholars@Duke
Miguel A. Medina

Miguel A. Medina

Professor Emeritus of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Box 90287, Durham, NC 27708-0287
121 Hudson Hall, Box 90287, Durham, NC 27708

Selected Publications

Groundwater Level Response to Precipitation and Potential Climate Trends

Journal Article Water Switzerland · July 1, 2025 Stream–aquifer interactions, as well as surface water/groundwater interactions within wetlands, require a solution of complex partial differential equations of flow and contaminant transport, namely a deterministic approach. Groundwater level (GWL) respons ... Full text Cite

ASCE Inspire 2023

Conference · November 14, 2023 Full text Cite

Stormwater: Urban Modeling

Chapter · May 19, 2020 Full text Cite

Climate-Resilient Infrastructure

Journal Article · October 12, 2018 Full text Cite

Stormwaters: Urban Modeling

Chapter · July 20, 2016 Full text Cite

On numerical modeling of the contaminant transport equations of the wetland hydrology and water quality model WETSAND

Journal Article Applied Mathematical Modelling · March 1, 2016 The reliability of the MacCormack finite difference method for solving the contaminant transport equations of wetland model WETSAND is investigated. WETSAND solves the coupled advection-dispersion-reaction equations for the nitrogen cycle, total nitrogen a ... Full text Open Access Cite

Urban Hydrology

Chapter · March 21, 2014 Full text Cite

Coupling high-resolution acoustic sensor measurements with analytical and numerical porous media solute transport modeling

Journal Article Journal of Hydrologic Engineering · April 8, 2011 This paper presents the development of a novel acoustic sensor that enhances Doppler approaches to monitor groundwater vector flow. The technique is based on a high-resolution acoustic phase measurement: flowing water introduces a shift in the acoustic vel ... Full text Cite

Global water crisis and climate change

Journal Article Journal of Hydrologic Engineering · March 1, 2010 Full text Cite

The effect of surface/ground water interactions on wetland sites with different characteristics

Journal Article Desalination · June 25, 2008 Wetlands have gained greater attention in the last two decades, since they have an important impact on water supply and water quality control. Treatment wetlands have recently been used as a best management practice to decrease the storm water runoff peaks ... Full text Cite

A wetland hydrology and water quality model incorporating surface water/groundwater interactions

Journal Article Water Resources Research · April 1, 2007 [1] In the last two decades the beneficial aspects of constructed treatment wetlands have been studied extensively. However, the importance of restored wetlands as a best management practice to improve the water quality of storm water runoff has only recen ... Full text Cite

Kinematic and diffusion waves: Analytical and numerical solutions to overland and channel flow

Journal Article Journal of Hydraulic Engineering · February 1, 2007 Flood wave propagation is the unifying concept in representing open channel and overland flow. Therefore, understanding flood wave routing theory and solving the governing equations accurately is an important issue in hydrology and hydraulics. In an attemp ... Full text Cite

Stream solute transport incorporating hyporheic zone processes

Journal Article Journal of Hydrology · September 30, 2006 The behavior of solute transport in pool and riffle, or meandering types of streams, is greatly influenced by surface/subsurface flow and solute transport interactions. It is important to model these processes accurately in rivers and streams to improve do ... Full text Cite

A multiple domain algorithm for modeling two dimensional contaminant transport flows

Journal Article Applied Mathematics and Computation · March 1, 2006 To efficiently simulate large scale contaminant transport flows on serial computing platforms, the authors believe that explicit finite difference formulations need to be integrated with performance-enhancing tools. Such integration will not only increase ... Full text Cite

Enhanced TABS-MDS model for simulating large-scale free surface flows

Journal Article Environmental Modelling and Software · January 1, 2006 Modeling flows, be it from surface water or ground water, often require using (legacy) serial application codes that have been formulated, strengthened and tested by various audiences over a span of a few years. A limitation in using these serial codes for ... Full text Cite

A multiple domain algorithm for modeling one-dimensional transient contaminant transport flows

Journal Article Applied Mathematics and Computation · August 5, 2005 Solving numerically the transient one-dimensional advection dispersion equation by using an explicit scheme is limited by the choice of time step size according to the Courant-Friedrich-Levy (CFL) stability condition. For transient simulations over large d ... Full text Cite

A methodology for solute transport in unsteady, nonuniform streamflow with subsurface interaction

Journal Article Advances in Water Resources · August 1, 2005 An advection-dispersion-reaction model can generally be used to describe one-dimensional stream solute transport if the flow is steady and if the channel is smooth and uniform. When applied to unsteady, nonuniform streamflows, a model based on the Fickian ... Full text Cite

On numerical modeling of overland flow

Journal Article Applied Mathematics and Computation · July 26, 2005 The reliability of several finite difference numerical formulations for solving one-dimensional kinematic and diffusion wave equations that describe overland flow is investigated. Particular emphasis is placed on two numerical schemes which are second orde ... Full text Cite

Contaminated Ground Water and Sediment

Journal Article · November 24, 2003 Full text Cite

Evaluation of V and W multiple grid cycles for modeling one and two-dimensional transient free surface flows

Journal Article Applied Mathematics and Computation · June 1, 2003 This paper presents a new approach for numerically solving a hyperbolic set of equations. This approach addressed to as multiple grid, when integrated with any finite difference formulation aims at accelerating the solution to the desired transient state. ... Full text Cite

Incorporating transient storage in conjunctive stream-aquifer modeling

Journal Article Advances in Water Resources · January 1, 2003 There has been growing interest in incorporating the transient storage effect into modeling solute transport in streams. In particular, for a smaller mountain stream where flow is fast and the flow field is irregular (a favorable environment to induce dead ... Full text Cite

An improved radiating boundary equation for free surface flows

Journal Article Applied Mathematics and Computation · October 1, 2002 In this study we test the efficiency of an improved radiating boundary equation for open channel flows. To aid in a faster convergence of the solution to steady-state profiles, the flow domain is truncated and a radiating boundary equation applied at the d ... Full text Cite

Optimization of intermittent pumping schedules for aquifer remediation using a genetic algorithm

Journal Article Journal of the American Water Resources Association · January 1, 2000 Using a genetic algorithm (GA), optimal intermittent pumping schedules were established to simulate pump-and-treat remediation of a contaminated aquifer with known hydraulic limitations and a water miscible contaminant, located within the Duke Forest in Du ... Full text Cite

Flowing partially penetrating well: Solution to a mixed-type boundary value problem

Journal Article Advances in Water Resources · September 15, 1999 A new semi-analytic solution to the mixed-type boundary value problem for a flowing partially penetrating well with infinitesimal skin situated in an anisotropic aquifer is developed. The solution is suited to aquifers having a semi-infinite vertical exten ... Full text Cite

Chance constrained model for storm-water system design and rehabilitation

Journal Article Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management · May 1, 1997 A mixed integer chance constrained optimization model was developed to determine design and rehabilitation management strategies for storm-water drainage systems conditioned on the likelihood of exceeding the system's conveyance capacity. The model is mult ... Full text Cite

Evaluation of health risks for contaminated aquifers.

Journal Article Environmental health perspectives · February 1997 This review focuses on progress in the development of transport models for heterogeneous contaminated aquifers, the use of predicted contaminant concentrations in groundwater for risk assessment for heterogeneous human populations, and the evaluation of aq ... Full text Cite

Incorporating auxiliary geophysical data into ground-water flow parameter estimation

Journal Article Ground Water · January 1, 1997 The incorporation of auxiliary data into ground-water flow parameter estimation is a challenging task which can ultimately result in a better site characterization. In this study a maximum likelihood estimation procedure has been applied to the joint ident ... Full text Cite

Cost-effective monitoring strategies to estimate mean water table depth

Journal Article Ground Water · January 1, 1997 Cost-effective monitoring strategies exist for estimating mean depth to the water table and for characterizing fluctuations about that mean. These strategies can also be used to evaluate the utility of sparse water level data sets for making such estimates ... Full text Cite

Second moment method for evaluating human health risks from groundwater contaminated by trichloroethylene.

Journal Article Environmental health perspectives · August 1996 Pollutants in groundwater aquifers may constitute a significant human health risk. A large variation in response may result among human populations experiencing the same level and duration of exposure to pollutants. Variability in response, as a result of ... Full text Cite

Ground water solute transport, optimal remediation planning, and decision making under uncertainty

Journal Article Journal of the American Water Resources Association · January 1, 1996 A groundwater quality modeling advisory system has been developed for the U.S. Air Force for use in investigating remediation alternatives for the cleanup of subsurface contamination. The system is capable of accounting for uncertainty, not only in the pre ... Full text Cite

Modeling and debugging engineering decision procedures with machine learning

Journal Article Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering · January 1, 1996 This paper reports on the use of machine learning programs for modeling existing engineering decision procedures. In this acitivity, different models of a decision procedure are constructed by using different machine learning programs as well as by varying ... Full text Cite

State-of-the-art in hydrologic and water quality modeling in the Caribbean, Central and South America

Journal Article IAHS AISH Publication · December 1, 1995 With sponsorship from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), a comprehensive questionnaire was mailed to all ASCE Latin American members on the use of mathematical models and computer methods in the planning and management of both the quantity and ... Cite

Probabilistic-based optimization model for stormwater infrastructure rehabilitation

Journal Article undefined · January 1, 1995 A chance-constrained optimization model for designing stormwater drainage systems conditioned on the probability that the system's conveyance capacity is exceeded is presented. To formulate the chance constraint, the model combines kinematic wave routing a ... Cite

Groundwater pollution remediation and control: the role of global optimizers and exploitation of available information

Journal Article undefined · January 1, 1995 This study proposes a multiobjective optimization model for identifying possible pump and considers strategies for groundwater pollution remediation and control. In the optimization model, the stochastic parameter estimates are used as inputs to identify t ... Cite

Stochastic finite element model for transient advective-dispersive transport in an uncertain hydrodynamic environment

Journal Article undefined · January 1, 1995 A finite element formulation that incorporates a first-order second-moment (FOSM) algorithm is developed for the uncertainty analysis of groundwater solute transport in saturated, isotropic media. The contaminant concentration is the state random variable ... Cite

Chance constrained model using kinematic wave routing for stormwater infrastructure rehabilitation

Journal Article Urban Drainage Rehabilitation Programs and Techniques · December 1, 1994 A chance constrained optimization model is presented to determine possible rehabilitation strategies for segments of stormwater drainage systems. The model is multiobjective in nature and driven by probabilistic stormwater flow considerations that are dete ... Cite

OPTIMAL LONG‐TERM SCHEDULING OF STORMWATER DRAINAGE REHABILITATION

Journal Article Jawra Journal of the American Water Resources Association · January 1, 1993 ABSTRACT: A mathematical model is developed to optimally schedule long‐term stormwater infrastructure rehabilitation activities. The model is capable of considering multiple rehabilitation projects and is driven by overall cost eensiderations. Rehabilitati ... Full text Cite

Chance constrained optimization model using kinematic wave routing for stormwater infrastructure rehabilitation

Journal Article Water Resources Planning and Management Saving A Threatened Resource in Search of Solutions Proceedings of the Water Resources Sessions at Water Forum · December 1, 1992 A chance constrained optimization model is presented to determine efficient long-term replacement strategies for segments of stormwater drainage systems. The model is multiobjective in nature and driven by probabilistic stormwater flow considerations that ... Cite

Empirical Bayes regionalization methods for spatial stochastic processes

Journal Article Water Resources Research · January 1, 1991 Many geophysical properties can be described as spatial stochastic processes, including spatially correlated hydraulic conductivity fields. Use of regional data can potentially improve estimation of such processes. We consider the case in which observation ... Full text Cite

Monte Carlo analysis and Bayesian decision theory for assessing the effects of waste sites on groundwater, II: Applications

Journal Article Journal of Contaminant Hydrology · January 1, 1989 In the preceding paper a sequential Bayesian risk methodology is presented for the assessment of the effects of waste sites on groundwater. Specific details of the Monte Carlo implementation depend on the contaminant transport model employed. In the presen ... Full text Cite

Monte Carlo analysis and Bayesian decision theory for assessing the effects of waste sites on groundwater, I: Theory

Journal Article Journal of Contaminant Hydrology · January 1, 1989 A sequential Bayesian risk methodology is outlined for addressing the problem of permitting waste sites under conditions of imperfect information. Topics covered include use of preposterior analysis to evaluate candidate sampling plans and prior/posterior ... Full text Cite

Advisory system for North Carolina groundwater quality modeling and management needs

Journal Article · February 1, 1988 Federal policy states that groundwater quality management is a State responsibility. Waste disposal sites that discharge or may leak to a groundwater system must undergo a permitting process. Applications are reviewed by the Division of Environmental Manag ... Cite

MODELING THE PERFORMANCE OF DEEP WASTE STABILIZATION PONDS

Journal Article Jawra Journal of the American Water Resources Association · January 1, 1988 ABSTRACT: The performance characteristics of a deep waste stabilization pond operating in Southeast Spain were studied for one year; the results show a high reduction in organic load and nutrients, as well as disinfection of the effluent, after a retention ... Full text Cite

USE OF CONTINUOUS SIMULATION VERSUS THE DESIGN STORM CONCEPT FOR WATER QUALITY.

Journal Article undefined · January 1, 1986 The validity of the design storm concept has been challenged by several investigators since the development of computer simulation models. Of particular interest are the studies that compare system performance. Continuous simulation involves the generation ... Cite

DETERMINISTIC AND STATISTICAL WATER QUALITY MODELING.

Journal Article undefined · January 1, 1985 An integrated methodology is presented, based on a hierarchical package of computer models ranging from simple micro-computer programs to more complex mainframe simulation, to address the impact of water quality fluctuations in determining instream flow st ... Cite

INTEGRATED METHODOLOGY FOR INSTREAM FLOW STRATEGIES.

Journal Article Report Water Resources Research Institute of the University of North Carolina · January 1, 1983 Instream flow assessments have traditionally resulted in the recommendation of a threshold value for the fishery resource: a minimum flow. More recently, an incremental methodology has been used to quantify the amount of potential habitat available for eac ... Cite

HYDROLOGIC AND WATER QUALITY MODELING FOR INSTREAM FLOW STRATEGIES.

Journal Article Report Water Resources Research Institute of the University of North Carolina · January 1, 1982 A framework has been developed in this study to address the impact of water quality fluctuations and thus mesh hydrologic, biologic and water quality aspects in determining instream flow strategies. These fluctuations are due to variable pollutant loads an ... Cite

RIVER QUALITY MODEL FOR URBAN STORMWATER IMPACTS

Journal Article Journal of the Water Resources Planning and Management Division, American Society of Civil Engineers · 1981 A simplified continuous receiving water quality model has been developed as a planning guide to permit preliminary screening of areawide wastewater management strategies. The model simulates the hypothetical response of the stream or tidal river system to ... Cite

Modeling stormwater storage/treatment transients: Applications

Journal Article Journal of the Environmental Engineering Division · January 1, 1981 The transient response of stormwater storage/treatment systems to variable forcing functions of flow and concentration is determined for completely mixed systems of constant and variable volumes and for one-dimensional advective systems with dispersion, fr ... Cite

Modeling stormwater storage/treatment transients: Theory

Journal Article Journal of the Environmental Engineering Division · January 1, 1981 Mathematical models are derived from the principle of conservation of mass to represent the movement, decay, storage and treatment of stormwater runoff pollutants and dry weather wastewater flows through natural and engineered transport systems. Hourly urb ... Cite

CONTINUOUS SIMULATION OF RECEIVING WATER QUALITY TRANSIENTS

Journal Article Jawra Journal of the American Water Resources Association · January 1, 1981 : This paper presents solutions to the one‐dimensional, transient conservation of mass equations for the coupled biochemical oxygen demand‐dissolved oxygen (BOD‐DO) reactions, based on the principle of superposition, for continuously discharging plane sour ... Full text Cite

River quality model for urban stormwater impacts ( Des Moines, Iowa).

Journal Article Journal of the Water Resources Planning and Management Division ASCE · January 1, 1981 A simplified continous receiving water quality model has been developed as a planning fuide to permit preliminary screening of areawide wastewater management strategies. An application to the Des Moines River at Des Moines, Iowa, is presented. -from ASCE P ... Cite

EVALUATION OF INFILTRATION MODELS IN KINEMATIC WAVE APPROXIMATION TO FORESTED WATERSHED OVERLAND FLOW.

Journal Article ASAE Publication · January 1, 1980 The paper reports on a study to assess the relative accuracy with which deterministic urban hydrologic simulation models could be applied to predict the surface outflow hydrographs from forested watersheds, and to evaluate the dependency of the kinematic w ... Cite

LEVEL III: RECEIVING WATER QUALITY MODELLING FOR URBAN STORMWATER MANAGEMENT.

Journal Article Environmental Protection Technology Series EPA · January 1, 1979 The model simulates the hypothetical response of the stream or tidal river system to the separate and combined effects of waste inputs from: 1) upstream sources, 2) dry weather urban sources, and 3) wet weather urban sources. The total hours of runoff-prod ... Cite

Level III: receiving water quality modeling for urban stormwater management. Final rept. May 77-Nov 78 ( Des Moines, Iowa).

Journal Article undefined · January 1, 1979 A simplified continuous receiving water quality model has been developed as a planning guide to permit preliminary screening of areawide wastewater treatment strategies. An application to the Des Moines River at Des Moines, Iowa, is presented. -from US Gov ... Cite

KINEMATIC WAVE APPROXIMATION TO FORESTED WATERSHED OVERLAND FLOW WITH URBAN HYDROLOGIC MODELS.

Journal Article Ky Univ Off Res Eng Serv Bull Uky Bu116 · January 1, 1978 Precipitation and streamflow data were available for a number of storm events that occurred over the Santee Experimental Forest, Francis Marion National Forest, South Carolina. The U. S. EPA Storm Water Management Model and the Deterministic Urban Runoff M ... Cite

Kinematic wave approximation to forested watershed overland flow with urban hydrologic models.

Journal Article undefined · January 1, 1978 Deterministic urban hydrologic simulation models may be applied with varying degrees of success to simulate forested watershed surface runoff. Since these watersheds are essentially pervious, the technique used to estimate infiltration rates becomes critic ... Cite

STORM WATER MANAGEMENT MODEL USER'S MANUEL. VERSION II.

Journal Article Environ Prot Technol Ser EPA · January 1, 1975 A comprehensive mathematical model (the EPA Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) capable of representing urban stormwater runoffs and combined sewer overflow phenomena was developed. SWMM portrays correctional devices in the form of user-selected options fo ... Cite