Michael Crouch

Michael Crouch is a professional engineer specializing in water resources, particularly dam breach analysis and consequences estimation to support dam safety risk assessment. He has performed and led more than 200 hydraulic modeling studies involving dam breach analysis for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and other clients.

Currently, Mr. Crouch leads hydraulic modeling and downstream consequences efforts for RTI and is a recognized expert in the application of the USACE LifeSim software. He is currently working with TVA to develop guidelines and consequences models that represent a future condition. These updates support planned major modification projects for two dams. Recent work includes leading the downstream consequences estimation for New Brunswick Power’s Mactaquac Dam risk assessment, where over 300 hydraulic model scenarios were developed in conjunction with over 80 LifeSim scenarios to estimate consequences with uncertainty bounds for all potential failure modes associated with the dam. Michael led the re-evaluation of the probable maximum flood for the USACE’s Truman and Stockton Dams. Other notable work includes providing technical support to Google, Inc., on their 2D model used to support their flood warning initiative. Also managing the evaluation of direct, indirect economic and environmental consequences to support the Alcona Dam Safety Risk Assessment, which has been chosen by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as a pilot study to evaluate their dam safety risk guidelines. Other past work has included developing site specified breach parameters for Jocassee Dam, owned by Duke Energy, to support permitting for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. He has also led extensive hydraulic modeling and consequence evaluation efforts for the Tennessee Valley Authority over the past nine years.

Mr. Crouch joined RTI in 2016 with the acquisition of Riverside Technologies. Before joining Riverside in 2014, he was a senior water resources engineer with AMEC Environment and Infrastructure in Nashville, Tennessee. He is a professional engineer, certified floodplain manager, and a member of the Association of Dam Safety Officials.