Reclamation launches prize competition to improve sediment modeling in river systems

The Bureau of Reclamation has launched a new prize competition to improve the model currently used to calculate the sediment transport rate in a river system. Reclamation is specifically looking for solutions to improve the execution speed of models that simulate river hydraulics, sediment erosion, transport, and deposition.

Up to $300,000 is available to win during this two-stage prize competition. Up to four awards totaling $150,000 will be available in Phase 1, with the winner receiving $65,000. In Phase 2, the competition winner will receive $85,000 and the runner-up $65,000.

Reclamation is partnering with the Federal Highway Administration Office of Innovation Implementation – Resource Center, NASA Tournament Lab and Freelancer on this prize competition.

Prize competitions spur innovation by engaging a non-traditional, problem-solver community. Reclamation complements traditional design research to target the most persistent science and technology challenges through prize competitions. It has awarded more than $4 million in prizes through 27 competitions in the past six years.

Please visit the Divide and Conquer Challenge  competition page to learn more.