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Michelle M. Irizarry-Ortiz

I have more than 20 years of experience in hydrologic modeling and statistical hydrology. I have extensive experience modeling the hydrology and water management system of south Florida and its vulnerability to climate change.

Professional Experience

  • U. S. G. S., Hydrologist, 2019-present, Orlando, Florida

  • Consulting, 2016-2019

  • South Florida Water Management District, Hydrologic Modeler, 2001-2011

Education and Certifications

  • M. S., Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 2001

  • B. S., Civil Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, 1999

  • Florida Professional Engineer

  • Certified Climate Change Professional (CC-P)

Abstracts and Presentations

  • Irizarry-Ortiz, M., Stamm, J.F., Sumner, D., and Harmsen, E.W., 2022, Estimation of historical (1985–2005) and future (2040–2060) agricultural water use for Puerto Rico based on a soil moisture model [poster]: Frontiers in Hydrology 2022, American Geophysical Union, San Juan, P.R., June 19–24, 2022.

  • Irizarry-Ortiz, M., Stamm, J.F., Maran, C., and Obeysekera, J., 2022, Development of projected (2050–2089) precipitation depth-duration-frequency curves for south Florida based on downscaled climate model output [poster]: Frontiers in Hydrology 2022, American Geophysical Union, San Juan, P.R., June 19–24, 2022.

Science and Products

Bias-corrected daily precipitation at 1-kilometer resolution for Puerto Rico from Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) dynamical downscaled historical (1985-2005) and projected (2040-60) climate

This data release consists of four network Common Data Form (netCDF) files of bias-corrected daily precipitation at 1-kilometer (km) scale for historical and projected climate of Puerto Rico. The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model was used by Bowden and others (2018) to downscale two general circulation models (GCMs) from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5): (1) the
By
Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center (CFWSC)

Change factors to derive projected future precipitation depth-duration-frequency (DDF) curves at 174 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Atlas 14 stations in central and south Florida

This data release consists of Microsoft Excel workbooks, shapefiles, and a figure (png format) related to a cooperative project between the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) to derive projected future change factors for precipitation depth-duration-frequency (DDF) curves at 174 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Atlas 14 stati
By
Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center (CFWSC)

Spatial and tabular datasets of water withdrawals and use in Puerto Rico, 2015

The U.S. Geological Survey has compiled information on water withdrawal and use for Puerto Rico at 5-year intervals since 1980 to provide data for the management of the Commonwealth’s water resources. For 2015, water withdrawals and use were estimated for 78 municipalities from fresh groundwater and surface water in the categories of public use, domestic use, irrigation use, livestock, c
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center (CFWSC), Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center (CFWSC)

Development of projected depth-duration frequency curves (2050–89) for south Florida

Planning stormwater projects requires estimates of current and future extreme precipitation depths for events with specified return periods and durations. In this study, precipitation data from four downscaled climate datasets are used to determine changes in precipitation depth-duration-frequency curves from the period 1966–2005 to the period 2050–89 primarily on the basis of Representative Conce
By
Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center (CFWSC)

Estimated water withdrawals and use in Puerto Rico, 2015

Water withdrawals and use in Puerto Rico for 2015 were estimated at 2,372 million gallons per day (Mgal/d), which was 21 percent less than withdrawals and use for 2010. The 2015 total water withdrawal and use estimates were the lowest since 1990 and coincided with a substantial decline of 25 percent in saline-water withdrawals for thermoelectric-power cooling processes from 2010 to 2015. Freshwate
By
Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center (CFWSC)

Non-USGS Publications**

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

Science and Products