David S. Biedenharn

Dr. David S. Biedenharn is an Adjunct Professor at Tulane University's School of Science & Engineering and a Research Hydraulic Engineer with the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC). With over 40 years of experience in hydraulics, river engineering, and fluvial geomorphology, he has led numerous projects on the Mississippi River system, including the development of the Sediment Impact Analysis Method (SIAM) model. His work spans flood control design, channel restoration, and sediment management frameworks.

• BS in Wood Science, Mississippi State University (1978)
• BS in Civil Engineering, Louisiana Tech University (1979)
• MS in Civil Engineering, Colorado State University (1983)
• PhD in Civil Engineering, Colorado State University (1995)

Dr. Biedenharn's research focuses on hydraulic engineering, fluvial geomorphology, and sediment transport dynamics. His expertise includes the analysis of large river systems, regional sediment management strategies, and the development of engineering tools for channel stabilization and restoration. Recent work emphasizes probabilistic geomorphic modeling for long-term river evolution.

The selected publications reflect his specialization in Mississippi River hydrology, sediment load quantification, and river infrastructure impacts. Key themes include channel geometry trends, bed material analysis, and floodplain management techniques.

Dr. Biedenharn has developed and taught training programs on streambank stabilization and channel restoration for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. His current role involves mentoring young engineers and scientists at ERDC while advancing innovative geomorphic modeling approaches.

He leads a multidisciplinary team at ERDC, focusing on river engineering research and applied geomorphology for national waterway projects. His career includes service as Channel Improvement Coordinator for the Mississippi River Channel Improvement Project, managing an annual $100M+ budget.