Carolyn B. Voter

Carolyn B. Voter

Assistant Professor

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Education

  • PhD in Civil Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2019
  • BS in Civil Engineering, Bucknell University, 2012

Bio

I am currently an assistant professor in the department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After receiving my PhD, I served as a Wisconsin Water Resources Science-Policy Fellow at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (2019-2021), then joined the University of Delaware as an assistant professor in the departments of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences (2022-2026) before returning to UW-Madison as an assistant professor (2026-present). My research broadly focuses on using integrated hydrologic models, data, and stakeholder engagement to identify ways to more sustainably and equitably manage water resources, preserve ecosystem services, and increase community resilience. My work is currently supported by the National Science Foundation Strengthening American Infrastructure program, Delaware Sea Grant, and the Department of Defense Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP).

In my personal time, I enjoy reading (non-fiction, fantasy, cozy mysteries), outdoor activities (running, hiking, walking, bird watching, barebow archery), and board games (current favorites include Sleeping Gods, Scout, and Food Chain Island).

Lab Contributions

Projects

Green Stormwater Infrastructure: Long Term "Success"
To what extent do green stormwater infrastructure such as residential rain gardens remain a “success” hydrologically, ecologically, and socially after 10+ years?
Green Stormwater Infrastructure: Long Term "Success"
Coastal Urban Water Infrastructure: Future Vulnerabilities
What is the impact of groundwater rise, saltwater intrusion, and intensifying precipitation on (below-ground) stormwater and wastewater infrastructure?
Coastal Urban Water Infrastructure: Future Vulnerabilities
Precipitation Projections for Continuous Hydrologic Modeling
How can we appropriately project historical precipitation into the future for continuous stormwater and groundwater simulations?
Precipitation Projections for Continuous Hydrologic Modeling
Green Stormwater Infrastructure: Designing for Hydrologic & Community Effectiveness
How can we optimize the adoption of green stormwater infrastructure for both hydrologic performance and community preferences?
Green Stormwater Infrastructure: Designing for Hydrologic & Community Effectiveness
Stormwater Management on University Campuses
What are the unique stormwater management challenges and opportunities at university campuses?
Stormwater Management on University Campuses
Land-Atmosphere Hydrologic Feedbacks in Urban Areas
How are urban water and energy dynamics in regional climate models impacted by robust representation of urban hydrologic processes?
Land-Atmosphere Hydrologic Feedbacks in Urban Areas
Central Sands Lakes Study
What are the impacts of groundwater withdrawals on lake ecosystems?
Video
Central Sands Lakes Study
Hydrologic Regimes of Lakes
How can we meaningfully describe and quantify water level fluctuations in lakes?
Hydrologic Regimes of Lakes
Soil Amendment for Stormwater Control
Where and when is soil amendment most effective as a low-impact stormwater management practice?
Soil Amendment for Stormwater Control
Managing Residential Hydrology Across Climates
How do low-impact stormwater management practices interact with one another and with climate?
Managing Residential Hydrology Across Climates

Publications

Effective and Equitable Green Stormwater Infrastructure in the Chesapeake Bay: Current Challenges and Next Steps
Report
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Urban Ecohydrology: Accounting for Sub-Grid Lateral Water and Energy Transfers in a Land Surface Model
Journal Article
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Integrating Urban Water Fluxes and Moving beyond Impervious Surface Cover: A Review
Journal Article
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Central Sands Lakes Study Technical Report: Lake Ecosystem Characterization and Response
Report
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Climatic Controls on the Hydrologic Effects of Urban Low Impact Development Practices
Journal Article
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Adaptable University-Agency Early-Career Fellowship Program Creates a Win-Win-Win for Wisconsin's Waters
Journal Article
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Where and When Soil Amendment Is Most Effective as a Low Impact Development Practice in Residential Areas
Journal Article
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Board 15: Introducing Students to Engineering by Helping Them RePicture Their World
Conference Paper
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Urban Residential Surface and Subsurface Hydrology: Synergistics Effects of Low-Impact Features at the Parcel Scale
Journal Article
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Presentations

Modeling Coupled Stormwater-Wastewater-Groundwater Dynamics in Urban Coastal Settings
Poster
Oct 20, 2025 9:00 AM — 11:00 AM San Antonio, TX
Project
Modeling Coupled Stormwater-Wastewater-Groundwater Dynamics in Urban Coastal Settings
Is Aging Green Infrastructure Still Effective?: Investigating Long-Term Research on the Eco-hydrologic Performance of Rain Gardens
Talk
Dec 13, 2024 4:00 PM — 4:12 PM Washington D.C.
Project
Is Aging Green Infrastructure Still Effective?: Investigating Long-Term Research on the Eco-hydrologic Performance of Rain Gardens
Converting Future Precipitation Estimates from Low to High Temporal Resolutions: A Workflow for the Surface Water Modeler
Talk
Dec 12, 2024 3:00 PM — 3:10 PM Washington D.C.
Project
Converting Future Precipitation Estimates from Low to High Temporal Resolutions: A Workflow for the Surface Water Modeler
From Isolated Struggles to Collaborative Futures: Investigating Stormwater Challenges and Opportunities Across University Campuses
Poster
Dec 12, 2024 1:40 PM — 5:30 PM Washington D.C.
Project
From Isolated Struggles to Collaborative Futures: Investigating Stormwater Challenges and Opportunities Across University Campuses
Beyond Reduction of Runoff: Examining the Added Benefits of Widespread Urban Greening
Poster
Dec 12, 2024 8:30 AM — 12:20 PM Washington D.C.
Project
Beyond Reduction of Runoff: Examining the Added Benefits of Widespread Urban Greening
Integrated Modeling Assessment of Sea Level Rise Impacts on Groundwater and Water Infrastructure in an Urban Coastal Environment
Poster
Dec 12, 2024 8:30 AM — 12:20 PM Washington D.C.
Project
Integrated Modeling Assessment of Sea Level Rise Impacts on Groundwater and Water Infrastructure in an Urban Coastal Environment
Stormwater Management Facilities in Coastal Areas with Respect to Climate Change
Talk
Oct 17, 2024 10:20 AM — 10:40 AM Villanova, PA
Project
Stormwater Management Facilities in Coastal Areas with Respect to Climate Change
Adapting Precipitation from Climate Models for Use in Stormwater Modeling
Poster
Jun 26, 2024 1:00 PM — 3:00 PM St. Paul, MN
Project
Adapting Precipitation from Climate Models for Use in Stormwater Modeling
Comprehensive Review of Stormwater Management Practices Across Public Universities in the Mid-Atlantic Region
Poster
Jun 25, 2024 1:00 PM — 3:00 PM St. Paul, MN
Project
Comprehensive Review of Stormwater Management Practices Across Public Universities in the Mid-Atlantic Region
Integrated Modeling Assessment of Sea Level Rise Impacts on Groundwater and Water Infrastructure in an Urban Coastal Environment
Poster
Jun 25, 2024 1:00 PM — 3:00 PM St. Paul, MN
Project
Integrated Modeling Assessment of Sea Level Rise Impacts on Groundwater and Water Infrastructure in an Urban Coastal Environment
Assessment of Sea Level Rise Impacts on Shallow Groundwater in an Urban Coastal Environment
Poster
Jun 3, 2024 5:30 PM — 7:30 PM Princeton, NJ
Project
Assessment of Sea Level Rise Impacts on Shallow Groundwater in an Urban Coastal Environment
Adaptable University-Agency Early-Career Fellowship Program Creates a Win-Win-Win for Wisconsin’s Waters
Talk
Jun 3, 2024 2:45 PM — 3:00 PM Madison, WI
Project
Adaptable University-Agency Early-Career Fellowship Program Creates a Win-Win-Win for Wisconsin’s Waters
How Adoption of Green Infrastructure Impacts Urban Hydrologic-Atmospheric Processes
Talk
May 21, 2024 3:15 PM — 3:30 PM Milwaukee, WI
Project
How Adoption of Green Infrastructure Impacts Urban Hydrologic-Atmospheric Processes
Intersection of Maintenance, Effectiveness, and Equity in Green Stormwater Infrastructure in the Chesapeake Bay Region
Talk
Apr 7, 2024 10:30 AM — 12:00 PM Austin, TX
Project
Intersection of Maintenance, Effectiveness, and Equity in Green Stormwater Infrastructure in the Chesapeake Bay Region
Does This Matter? Lessons Learned (and Still Learning) from Connecting with Water Science Stakeholders
Invited Talk
Jan 27, 2024 4:30 PM — 4:40 PM Baltimore, MD
Project Project
Does This Matter? Lessons Learned (and Still Learning) from Connecting with Water Science Stakeholders
Integrated Assessment of Climate Change Impacts to Groundwater, Stormwater, and Wastewater Infrastructure at Coastal Military Facilities
Invited Talk
Nov 28, 2023 4:25 PM — 4:45 PM Arlington, VA
Project
Integrated Assessment of Climate Change Impacts to Groundwater, Stormwater, and Wastewater Infrastructure at Coastal Military Facilities
Assessment of Sea Level Rise Impacts on Aquifer Systems in Coastal Environments: A Case Study of Bowers Beach, Delaware
Poster
Jun 12, 2023 4:30 PM — 6:00 PM Lake Tahoe, CA
Project
Assessment of Sea Level Rise Impacts on Aquifer Systems in Coastal Environments: A Case Study of Bowers Beach, Delaware
Identifying the Current State of Stormwater Management and Green Stormwater Infrastructure on Public University Campuses in the Chesapeake Bay Region
Poster
Jun 12, 2023 4:30 PM — 6:00 PM Lake Tahoe, CA
Project
Identifying the Current State of Stormwater Management and Green Stormwater Infrastructure on Public University Campuses in the Chesapeake Bay Region
Better representation of urban hydrologic processes alters surface water and temperature cycles in regional coupled climate models
Lightning Talk & Poster
Jun 12, 2023 4:00 PM — 4:30 PM Lake Tahoe, CA
Project
Better representation of urban hydrologic processes alters surface water and temperature cycles in regional coupled climate models
Using Carbon to Achieve Chesapeake Bay (and Watershed) Water Quality Goals and Climate Resiliency: The Science, Gaps, Implementation Activities and Opportunities
Urban Landscapes (Stormwater) Panelist
May 25, 2023 — May 26, 2023 Hershey, PA
Project
Using Carbon to Achieve Chesapeake Bay (and Watershed) Water Quality Goals and Climate Resiliency: The Science, Gaps, Implementation Activities and Opportunities
Connecting Science, Management, and Community in the Central Sands and Beyond
Invited Talk
Apr 18, 2023 10:10 AM — 11:50 AM Madison, WI
Project
Connecting Science, Management, and Community in the Central Sands and Beyond
Stakeholder Panel: Developing More Effective and Equitable Green Infrastructure Strategies
Conference Session
Apr 14, 2023 9:00 AM — 11:00 AM Shepherdstown, WV
Project
Stakeholder Panel: Developing More Effective and Equitable Green Infrastructure Strategies
Resolving Fine-Scale Lateral Water Transfers in Urban Environments Alters Regional Climate Simulations
Poster
Jan 9, 2023 5:00 PM — 6:30 PM Denver, CO
Project
Resolving Fine-Scale Lateral Water Transfers in Urban Environments Alters Regional Climate Simulations
Better representation of urban hydrologic processes alters how heat responds to urban vegetation in regional climate models
Poster
Dec 13, 2022 10:00 AM — 1:30 PM Chicago, IL
Project
Better representation of urban hydrologic processes alters how heat responds to urban vegetation in regional climate models
The Need for Integrated Critical Zone Process Understanding of Water Flow in Cities
Poster
Dec 13, 2022 10:00 AM — 1:30 PM Chicago, IL
The Need for Integrated Critical Zone Process Understanding of Water Flow in Cities
Urban ecohydrology: Processes that matter, ways to model them, and implications for sustainable management
Invited Seminar
Nov 17, 2022 4:00 PM — 5:00 PM Atlanta, GA
Project Project
Urban ecohydrology: Processes that matter, ways to model them, and implications for sustainable management
Consider the Climate: Understanding What to Expect from Urban Hydrology Interventions Depending on Where You Are
Invited Talk
Jun 20, 2022 4:21 PM — 4:31 PM San Juan, Puerto Rico
Project Project
Consider the Climate: Understanding What to Expect from Urban Hydrology Interventions Depending on Where You Are
Scaling up: Accounting for key fine-scale urban hydrologic processes at city and larger scales
Invited Seminar
Feb 18, 2022 2:00 PM — 3:00 PM Online
Project Project
Scaling up: Accounting for key fine-scale urban hydrologic processes at city and larger scales
What matters most? Tracking down key ecohydrologic processes in urban and agricultural landscapes to inform management strategies
Invited Seminar
Feb 17, 2022 3:30 PM — 5:00 PM Newark, DE
Project Project Project Project
What matters most? Tracking down key ecohydrologic processes in urban and agricultural landscapes to inform management strategies
A Framework for Describing the Hydrologic Regime of Lakes for Improved Water Quantity Management
Talk
Dec 17, 2021 11:20 AM — 11:25 AM New Orleans, LA
Project Project Video
A Framework for Describing the Hydrologic Regime of Lakes for Improved Water Quantity Management
Incorporating Impacts of Green Infrastructure into a Large-Scale Land Surface Model
Talk
Dec 15, 2021 4:05 PM — 4:10 PM New Orleans, LA
Project
Incorporating Impacts of Green Infrastructure into a Large-Scale Land Surface Model
Advancing Science and Management through the Central Sands Lakes Study
Invited Seminar
Oct 15, 2021 2:00 PM — 3:00 PM Online
Project
Advancing Science and Management through the Central Sands Lakes Study
Using Co-productive Science to Address Wicked Water Problems in the Highly-irrigated Wisconsin Central Sands
Invited Seminar
Oct 6, 2021 11:00 AM — 12:00 PM Online
Project
Using Co-productive Science to Address Wicked Water Problems in the Highly-irrigated Wisconsin Central Sands
Central Sands Lakes Study: Findings & Reccomendations
Final Report
May 27, 2021 — Online
Project Video
Central Sands Lakes Study: Findings & Reccomendations
Lake-Groundwater Interactions of Plainfield, Long, and Pleasant Lakes in the Central Sands of Wisconsin
Talk
Mar 4, 2021 11:10 AM — 11:30 AM Online
Project
Lake-Groundwater Interactions of Plainfield, Long, and Pleasant Lakes in the Central Sands of Wisconsin
Incorporating the Hydrologic Impacts of Low Impact Development in a Large-Scale Land Surface Model
Talk
Mar 4, 2021 11:00 AM — 11:15 AM Online
Project
Incorporating the Hydrologic Impacts of Low Impact Development in a Large-Scale Land Surface Model