Jim O’Brien

Dr. O’Brien received his PhD from Colorado State University in 1986.  He was a senior hydraulic engineer with Tetra Tech for 16 years before starting Riada Engineering, Inc. and FLO-2D Software, Inc.  His experience includes:  flood hazard prediction, design of mitigation measures, field/laboratory analysis of mudflows.  He developed the very first two-dimensional flood routing model for predicting mudflows in 1989.  FLO-2D was initially developed for FEMA based on Dr. O’Brien’s PhD research and has since been applied worldwide in over 40 countries by thousands of engineers.  Dr. O’Brien has published over 50 articles and has worked on projects which have been nationally recognized. He has served as consultant for the U.S. Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, FEMA, U.S. Geological Survey, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  He is internationally known for his short course presentations on two-dimensional flood routing and hyperconcentrated sediment flows.

Involved in:

• Tailings dam failure essentials – Part 2 (August 2024)
• Tailings dam failure essentials – Part 1 (August 2024)