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Amanda Cox, Ph.D., P.E.

Associate Professor of Civil Engineering

Education

Ph.D. Civil Engineering, Hydraulics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
M.S. Civil Engineering, Hydraulics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
B.S. in Civil Engineering, University of Missouri-Columbia

Research Interests

Research Website

Cox has been conducting hydraulic engineering research for more than ten years and has completed over 45 research projects. Her experience includes physical hydraulic modeling of river systems, channel rehabilitation structures, bridge pier scour, and outlet works. Additionally, Cox has extensive research experience with erosion control countermeasures including riprap revetment, articulated concrete block revetment systems, rock-filled gabions mattresses, concrete-filled cellular systems, and vegetated and non-vegetated turf reinforcement mats. Her dissertation was entitled “Moment stability analysis method for determining safety factors for articulated concrete blocks” and provided a design method for articulated concrete block systems. Cox’s broad experience relating to hydraulic modeling includes studies of in-stream rehabilitation structures funded by the Bureau of Reclamation. Her Master’s thesis was on evaluating hydraulics of cross-vane, w-weir, and bendway weir in-stream flow control structures including energy losses, scour and structure stability in a mobile-bed channel. Additional river engineering studies of interest by Dr. Cox include a physical modeling study funded by the Army Corps of Engineers that evaluated artificial substrate for White Sturgeon spawning habitat in the Kootenai River, a large-scale physical model study of sloped-rock weirs to evaluate rock sizing, and two physical model studies to evaluate sedimentation near a pump intake on the Sacramento River. In addition to river engineering studies, Cox has researched stormwater hydraulic structures including curb and gutter drainage inlets, highway median drainage inlets, and an ellipse-shaped detention-pond weir outlet. She also evaluated hydraulics associated with stormwater roof-drain water-quality treatment systems and permeable pavers, conducted water-quality tests of rolled sediment retention devices for stormwater runoff, and collaborated with the U.S. Geological Survey to conduct laboratory testing of a new stormwater sampling device.

  • River Engineering Structures – Hybrid hydraulic modeling, which couples physical modeling with numerical simulations, is being used to evaluate the influence of varying design parameters for in-stream rock structures on flow velocity and turbulence fields where flow conditions are highly three-dimensional. Collaborating with the Bureau of Reclamation Albuquerque Area Office and Colorado State University, computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations are being calibrated with large-scale physical modeling data. Once calibrated, the numerical models will be used to evaluate the influence of varying structure design parameters, such as structure height, length, and orientation.
  • Urban Drainage Hydraulic Structures – An innovative detention-pond outlet structure was designed by the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District (UDFCD) to address discharge, pollution, and maintenance concerns. The elliptical sharp-crested weir was developed for the purpose of decreasing time and cost associated with clearing debris following storm events. This research is focused on developing a rating equation (relates the volume of flow through the structure as a function of the water-surface elevation at the structure) for the new structure and evaluating the behavior of varying types of urban debris as they pass through the structure.
  • Erosion Control Technologies – Many human impacts disturb the natural protection of land from stormwater-induced erosion such as urbanization and farming. Several technologies are available to provide protection from this erosion. Geotextiles are commonly used for temporary protection at construction sites or permanent protection for stormwater ephemeral drainage ways. Articulated concrete block (ACB) revetment systems are used for lining channels and earthen dam spillways and levees. Research in this area focuses on evaluating flow hydraulics related to the level of erosion protection to ultimately be used for design purposes.

Publications and Media Placements

Printed Archival Peer-Reviewed Journals

Cox, A.L., Muste, M., Merwade, V., Demir, I., Minear, J.T., Dey, S., Liang, C.Y., Sermet, M.Y. (Accepted, in Press). “Engaging the Earth Science and Engineering Communities in Developing a River Morphology Information System (RIMORPHIS)”, revision submitted to the Journal of American Water Resources Association.

Merwade, V., Demir, I., Muste, M., Cox, A.L., Minear, J.T., Sermet, Y., Dey, S. and Liang, C.Y., 2025. Towards an open and integrated cyberinfrastructure for river morphology research in the big data era. Environmental Modelling & Software, 183, p.106240,  DOI:  10.1016/j.envsoft.2024.106240

Sermet, Y., Liang, C.Y., Dey, S., Muste, M., Merwade, V., Cox, A.L., Minear, J.T. and Demir, I., 2025. River morphology information system: A web cyberinfrastructure for advancing river morphology research. Environmental Modelling & Software, 183, p.106222, DOI:  10.1016/j.envsoft.2024.106222. 

Botero-Acosta, A., Cox, A.L., Sagan, V., Demir, I., Muste., M., Boyd., P., and Pathak., C. (2024). “Multivariate analysis and anomaly detection of U.S. Reservoir Sedimentation Dataset.” ASCE Journal of Hydrologic Engineering, 29(5), DOI:  10.1061/JHYEFF.HEENG-6206.

Cox, A.L., Meyer, D., Botero-Acosta, A., Sagan, V., Demir, I., Muste., M., Boyd., P., and Pathak., C. (2024). “Estimating Reservoir Sedimentation Using Deep Learning.” ASCE Journal of Hydrologic Engineering, 29(4), DOI:  10.1061/JHYEFF.HEENG-6135.

Downs, P.W., Soar, P.J., Cox, A.L., Biedenharn, D.S., Dahl, T.A., Haring, C.P., and Thorne, C.R. (2024). “Visioning channel evolution for river management: towards a functional decision-support framework.” Journal of American Water Resources Association, 60(2):  4442-460, DOI: 10.1111/1752-1688.13183

Martinez, M.J. and Cox, A.L. (2023).  “Remote-Sensing Method for Monitoring Suspended-Sediment Concentration on the Middle-Mississippi and Lower-Missouri Rivers.” Journal of Contemporary Water Research & Education, Vol. 177:  17-30, DOI:  10.1111/j.1936-704X.2022.3378.

Mustafa, M.T., Cox, A.L., and Mitchell, K. (2019).  “Particle Image Velocimetry Validation for Quantifying Movement of Bedload Material.” Journal of Applied Water Engineering and Research, 7(4), 263-272,  DOI:  10.1080/23249676.2019.1683086.

Cox, A.L., Thornton, C.I., and Abt, S.R. (2019).  "Articulated Concrete Block Stability Assessment for Channelized Flow."  ASCE Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 154(4), DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE) HY.1943-7900.0001579.

Peterson, K.T., Sagan, V., Sidike, P, Cox, A.L., Martinez, M.J. (2018).  “Suspended Sediment Concentration Estimation from Landsat Imagery along the Lower Missouri and Middle Mississippi Rivers Using an Extreme Learning Machine.” Remote Sensing 10(10), 1503, DOI:  10.3390/rs10101503

Pereira, L.S.F., Andes, L.C., Cox, A.L., and Ghulam, A. (2018).  “Measuring Suspended-Sediment Concentration and Turbidity in the Middle Mississippi and Lower Missouri Rivers using Landsat Data.” Journal of the American Water Resources Association, 54(2), DOI:  10.1111/1752-1688.12616.

Mustafa, M.T., Cox, A.L., Davinroy, R.D., Krischel, B.J., and Nguyen, I.H. (2017).  “Mobile-Bed Similitude Evaluation of Hydraulic Sediment Response Models.” Journal of Applied Water Engineering and Research, DOI:  10.1080/23249676.2017.1324825. 

Andes, L.C. and Cox, A.L. (2017).  “Rectilinear Inverse Distance Weighting Methodology for Bathymetric Cross-section Interpolation along the Mississippi River.” ASCE Journal of Hydrologic Engineering, 22(7). DOI:  10.1061/(ASCE)HE.1943-5584.0001514. 

Abt, S.R., Scurlock, S.M., Thornton, C.I., Cox, A.L., and Holste, N.J. (2016). “Bendway Weir Riprap Sizing Criteria.” ASCE Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 42(12). DOI.org/10.1061/(ASCE)HY.1943-7900.0001209.

Cox, A.L., Saadat, S., MacKenzie, K.A., and Thornton, C.I. (2015).  “Effect of Urban Debris on Hydraulic Efficiency of an Elliptical Sharp-Crested Weir.”  ASCE Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, 141(6). DOI:  10.1061/(ASCE)IR.1943-4774.0000837. 

Cox, A.L., Kullberg, E.G., MacKenzie, K.A., and Thornton, C.I.  (2014). “Stage-discharge Rating Equation for an Elliptical Sharp-crested Weir.” ASCE Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, 140(6).  DOI:  10.1061/(ASCE)IR.1943-4774.0000730.

Cox, A.L., Thornton, C.I., and Abt, S.R. (2014). “Articulated Concrete Block Stability Assessment for Embankment-Overtopping Conditions.” ASCE Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 140(5).  DOI:  10.1061/(ASCE)HY.1943-7900.-0000844.

Cox, A.L., Thornton, C.I., and Abt, S.R. (2013). “Supercritical flow measurement using large Parshall flumes.” ASCE Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, 139(8):655-662.  DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)IR.1943-4774.0000605.

Selbig, W.R., Cox, A., and Bannerman, R.T. (2012). “Verification of a Depth-Integrated Sample Arm as a Means to Reduce Solids Stratification Bias in Urban Stormwater Sampling.” Journal of Environmental Monitoring. Vol. 14(4): 1137-1143.  DOI:  10.1039/C2EM10999A.


Peer-reviewed Conference Papers

Cox, A.L., Soar, P.J., Biedenharn, D.S., Little, C.D., Haring., C.H., Dahl, T.A., and Thorne, C.R. (2023).  “Application of FRAME Modeling to Evaluate Long-Term Morphological Changes in the Sabougla Creek Watershed.” Sedimentation and Hydrologic Modeling (SEDHYD) 2023 Conference, May 8-12, St. Louis, MO.

Soar, P., Cox., A., Biedenharn, B., Dahl., T., Thorne, C., Haring, C. and Little, C. (2023).  “Future River Analysis & Management Evaluation (FRAME): A new approach to forecasting long-term morphological evolution and response in rivers.” Sedimentation and Hydrologic Modeling (SEDHYD) 2023 Conference, May 8-12, St. Louis, MO.

Biedenharn, D., Cox., A., Dahl, T., Haring, C., Little, C., Soar, P., Thorne, C. (2023).  “Scenario Testing of the FRAME Tool on a 200 Mile Reach of the Lower Mississippi River.” Sedimentation and Hydrologic Modeling (SEDHYD) 2023 Conference, May 8-12, St. Louis, MO.

Downs, P.W., Soar, P.J., Biedenharn, D.S., Cox, A.L., Dahl, T.A., Haring, C.P., Little, C., and Thorne, C.R. (2023).  “Future River Analysis & Management Evaluation (FRAME): A new approach to forecasting long-term morphological evolution and response in rivers.” Sedimentation and Hydrologic Modeling (SEDHYD) 2023 conference, May 8-12, St. Louis, MO.

Thorne, C., Biedenharn, D., Dahl, T., Valman, S., Mayne, C., Cox, A., Haring, C., Little, C., Soar, P. (2023).  “The Alluvial Phase Space Diagram (APSD) and its potential application in the FRAME-RUBRIC model.” Sedimentation and Hydrologic Modeling (SEDHYD) 2023 Conference, May 8-12, St. Louis, MO.

Cox, A.L., and Martinez, M.J. (2019).  “Investigation of Suspended-Sediment Concentration in the Mississippi River using LISST and Remote Sensing Surrogate Methods.” 2019 Joint Federal Interagency Conference on Sedimentation and Hydrologic Modeling (SEDHYD), June 24-28, Reno, NV.

Cox, A.L., Sommer, D., Luna, R., Kopinski, E. (2017).  “Design matrices for erosion control blankets for Missouri hydrology and geology.”  Proceedings from the Transportation Research Board 96th Annual Meeting, January 8-12, Washington, DC.

Andes, L.C. and Cox, A.L. (2016).  “Long-term morphologic analysis of the Mississippi River-Big Muddy River Confluence.” Eighth International Conference on Fluvial Hydraulics, River Flow 2016, July 12-15, St. Louis, MO.

Mustafa, M.T., Cox, A.L., Davinroy, R.D., Krischel, B.J., and Nguyen, I.H. (2016).  “Form- and grain-roughness components of Shields-parameter similitude for an HSR physical model.” Eighth International Conference on Fluvial Hydraulics, River Flow 2016, July 12-15, St. Louis, MO.

Cox, A.L., Turner, M.D., and Thornton, C.I.  (2011). “New Scour Protection Technology – How does it Stack Up?”  Presented at International Erosion Control Association Environmental Connection 2011 Conference, February 22-24, Orlando, FL.

Cox, A.L., and Carpenter, T.  (2008). “Performance of Scourstop Transition Mat® for Channelized Hydraulic Conditions.”  Presented at International Erosion Control Association Environmental Connection 2008 Conference, February 19-21, Orlando, FL.

Cox, A.L., and Thornton, C.I. (2006).  “Overtopping Analysis – The State of the Practice.” Proc. of the 2006 Association of State Dam Safety Officials Annual Conference, September 11-14, Boston, MA.

Other Conference Papers

Scurlock, S.M., Cox, A.L., Baird, D.C., Thornton, C.I., and Abt, S.R. (2015).  “Hybrid Hydraulic Modeling of River-training Structures in Sinuous Channels.” 3rd Joint Federal Interagency Conference on Sedimentation and Hydrologic Modeling (SEDHYD), April 19-23, Reno, NV.

Healy, K.M., Cox, A.L., Hanes, D.M., and Chambers, L.G. (2015).  “State of the Practice of Sediment Management in Reservoirs:  Minimizing Sedimentation and Removing Deposits.” 3rd Joint Federal Interagency Conference on Sedimentation and Hydrologic Modeling (SEDHYD), April 19-23, Reno, NV.

Cox, A.L., Biedenharn, D.S., Watson, C.C., and Martin, M. (2015).  “POTAMOD – Mobile-bed Sediment-transport Modeling Application for Use with SIAM and HEC-RAS.” 3rd Joint Federal Interagency Conference on Sedimentation and Hydrologic Modeling (SEDHYD), April 19-23, Reno, NV.

Andes, L.C., and Cox, A.L. (2015).  “Middle Mississippi River Sedimentation Analysis at Tributary Junctions.” 3rd Joint Federal Interagency Conference on Sedimentation and Hydrologic Modeling (SEDHYD), April 19-23, Reno, NV.

Cox, A.L., Thornton, C.I., Woidt, J.L., MacKenzie, K.A., and Mommandi, A. (2012).  “Physical Modeling and Evaluation of Hydraulic Efficiencies for Colorado Department of Transportation Type C and D Median Inlets.” North American Surface Water Quality Conference and Exposition StormCon 2012, August 20-22, Denver, CO.

Selbig, W.R. and Cox, A.L. (2012).  “Improving Sediment Measurements in Stormwater through an Automated Depth-Integrated Sample Arm.” ASCE EWRI Hydraulic Measurement & Experimental Methods Conference, August 12-15, Snowbird, UT.

Scurlock, M.S., Cox, A.L., Thornton, C.I., and Baird, D.C. (2012).  “Maximum Velocity Effects from Vane-Dike Installations in Channel Bends.” ASCE World Environmental & Water Resources Congress 2012, May 20-24, Albuquerque, NM.

Scurlock, M.S., Cox, A.L., Thornton, C.I., and Baird, D.C. (2011).  “Maximum Outer-bank Velocity Reduction for Vane-dike Fields Installed in Channel Bends.” AGU Hydrology Days 2011, March 21-23, Fort Collins, CO.

Turner, M.D., Cox, A.L., and Thornton, C.I. (2011).  “Development of Transition Mat Scour Protection Design Methodology and Comparison to the State-of-the-practice.” AGU Hydrology Days 2011, March 21-23, Fort Collins, CO.

Woidt, J.L., Cox, A.L., and Thornton, C.I. (2011).  “Evaluation of Sedimentation and Erosion Trends in the Sacramento River near the M&T/Llano Seco Pump Station.”  AGU Hydrology Days 2011, March 21-23, Fort Collins, CO.

Cox, A.L., Thornton, C.I., and Eriksen, K.W. (2008).  “Effectiveness of Artificial Substrate in Capturing and Retaining Sturgeon Eggs.” ASCE World Environmental & Water Resources Congress 2008, May 12-16, Honolulu, HI.

Lui, H., Kosugi, S., Foster, A., and Lee, A.J. (2002).  “Cost Analysis of Freight Transport by a LIM-Driven Pneumatic Capsule Pipeline.” ISUFT-2002, September 19-20, Bochum, Germany.


Other Peer-reviewed Papers

Komiskey, M.J., Stuntebeck, T.D., Cox, A.L., and Frame, D.R, 2013, Implications of flume slope on discharge estimates from 0.762-meter H flumes used in edge-of-field monitoring: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2013–1082, 11 p.

Professional Organizations and Associations

  • Professional Engineer, State of Missouri (No. 2014007263)
  • Professional Engineer, State of Colorado (No. 42663)
  • SEDHYD Sedimentation Committee; Student Program Coordinator for the 2023 Federal Interagency Sedimentation and Hydrologic Modeling Conference (SEDHYD) (2022– current)
  • Transportation Research Board (TRB) Stormwater Subcommittee of the Committee on Hydrology, Hydraulics and Stormwater (AKD50) (2020 – 2021)
  • Transportation Research Board (TRB) Committee on Hydrology and Hydraulics (AFB60) (2014 – 2020)
  • Subcommittee on Sedimentation (SOS) of the Advisory Committee on Water Information (ACWI); Chair for 2014 and 2015, Vice-Chair for 2012 and 2013; Student Program Coordinator for the 2015 and 2019 Federal Interagency Sedimentation and Hydrologic Modeling Conference (SEDHYD) (2011 – 2022)
  • EWRI Task Committee on Scour at In-stream Hydraulic Structures, (2018 – 2020)
  • Volunteer Scientist for the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Thriving Earth Exchange (TEX) (2017 – 2022)
  • Missouri Water Resources Research Center (MWRRC) Advisory Board (2014 – 2022)
  • Member, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), since 2003
  • Member, Environmental and Water Resources Institute (EWRI), since 2005
  • Member, American Water Resources Association (AWRA), 2023
  • Member, American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), from 2007 – 2015
  • Member, International Erosion Control Association (IECA), 2007 – 2013