October 8th, 2024
P.C.D. (Chris) Milly, a leading expert in physical hydrology, hydrological modeling, and climate science, has been awarded the 2024 Robert E. Horton Medal by the American Geophysical Union (AGU). Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Milly led the development of the hydrological component of GFDL’s climate models, significantly advancing the integration of hydrological processes into global climate models. His work has transformed the community’s understanding of global and continental hydrology and their interactions with a changing climate.
A U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) research hydrologist based at GFDL until his retirement in 2022 and currently a USGS Scientist Emeritus, Dr. Milly’s work not only improved predictions of hydrological extremes, such as droughts and floods, but also reshaped global water resource management policies. Dr. Milly testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources about the impacts of climate change on water supply and availability in the U.S. Additionally, his research played a key role in Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Assessment Reports, informing policy makers worldwide about the impacts of climate change on water resources.
Dr. Milly’s 2008 Science paper, “Stationarity is Dead: Whither Water Management?” became a cornerstone in the field, challenging traditional approaches to water management and calling for new paradigms to address climate variability. His research provided key insights into the impacts of climate change on freshwater availability and has reshaped our thinking on how hydrologic systems are modeled in response to evolving environmental conditions.
In highlighting his impact, Kirsten Findell (research physical scientist at GFDL) stated, “From the 1990s until his retirement, all hydrologic components of GFDL’s land models were envisioned, designed, developed, and tested by Chris. His systematic, comprehensive approach to model development garnered him the implicit trust of colleagues.”
Dr. Milly became an AGU Fellow in 2009. His dedication to advancing hydrological science, his interdisciplinary approach, and his leadership in sustainable water management have made a lasting impact on the field, inspiring current and future generations of scientists. He earned his undergraduate degree from Princeton University and completed his Ph.D. at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), building a foundation that has fueled his pioneering work in hydrology and climate science.
The Robert E. Horton Medal is given annually to one honoree in recognition of outstanding contributions to hydrology. Dr. Milly will be recognized at AGU’s annual meeting in Washington, DC, in December.