CW3E Welcomes Dr. Eli Schwat

April 10, 2026

Eli joined CW3E in April 2026 as an Operations and Research Hydrologist after earning his Ph.D. in Hydrology from the University of Washington, where he was advised by Dr. Jessica Lundquist. His doctoral research focused on physical snowpack processes, including snowmelt timing and the loss of snowpack water to the atmosphere via sublimation. Earlier in his career, Eli also studied sediment transport and riverbed aggradation in the flood-prone rivers of western Washington.

In his role at CW3E, Eli is embedded at the Northwest River Forecast Center (NWRFC), where he contributes to the communication of river forecasts that support statewide emergency response and reservoir management decisions. He is developing expertise in hydrologic ensemble forecasting and hindcasting to advance Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations projects and CW3E research. Additionally, Eli serves as a liaison between research and operations, facilitating the exchange of advancements and promoting opportunities that benefit both NWRFC and CW3E.