CC&E’s Dean Willson to Head Influential Waterways Committee

Congratulations to CC&E Dean Clint Willson, who has been appointed Chair of the American Society of Civil Engineers Coasts, Oceans, Ports and Rivers Institute Waterways Committee.

This influential position puts Dr. Willson at the head of a committee that helps shape the future of the nation’s water infrastructure. The Waterways Committee examines and advances best practices in the planning, design, construction, maintenance and operation of waterways.

As Chair, Willson will be collaborating with leading experts from across the country to guide innovation and help modernize America’s inland waterways system.

“I would like to address two technical areas that go hand-in-hand. First, infrastructure critical to the safe and reliable transport of commodities and goods is aging,” he said. “The second need is to incorporate innovative technologies and designs in and along our waterways, to enable us to effectively repair and maintain existing infrastructure, and build new infrastructure that can be adapted as conditions and demands change.”  

“I also believe that we should be looking at the increased use of autonomous surface vehicles and autonomous underwater vehicles to improve our ability to efficiently monitor our waterways and infrastructure,” he continued.

His work at LSU has left him well prepared to make an impact in this new position. “I have been very fortunate to work with a wide range of stakeholders, government officials and industry experts, both as Director of the LSU Center for River Studies and co-PI on several large US Army Corps funded projects. These interactions have helped me understand the wide range of stakeholder interests, the complexities of and challenges facing our waterways, and the importance of public-private partnerships.”