Dr. Kristine Taniguchi-Quan
Hydrologist
Biology
714-755-3221
kristinetq@sccwrp.org
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Dr. Kris Taniguchi-Quan is a hydrologist/geomorphologist who specializes in assessing and managing the hydrology of streams.  Her research focuses on developing a variety of tools and models to understand how future changes in climate, land use, and management practices may impact the hydrology and physical habitat of rivers and to establish ecohydrology targets designed to protect stream health.  She serves on the California Environmental Flows Framework (CEFF) technical team and is implementing CEFF through a variety of California applications focused on stormwater capture, wastewater reuse, dry-season diversions, and cannabis cultivation.  In addition, she is exploring how new advanced geospatial technologies, including unpiloted aerial systems (UAS) and remote sensing techniques, can be used to rapidly assess and monitor the physical habitat condition of streams and serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Pacific Southwest Region of the American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing.

She received her B.S. in environmental science - watershed science in 2011, her M.S. in geography in 2014 from San Diego State University (SDSU) and her Ph.D. in geography from the joint doctoral program at SDSU and University of California, Santa Barbara in 2018. She joined SCCWRP in 2018.

Education

Ph.D., geography, San Diego State University / University of California, Santa Barbara, 2018.

M.S., geography, San Diego State University, 2014.

B.S., environmental Science, watershed Science, San Diego State University, 2011.

Professional Experience

Senior Scientist, Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP), Costa Mesa, CA. 2022-present

Scientist, Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP), Costa Mesa, CA. 2018-2022.

Teaching Associate, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA. 2014-2018.

Graduate Research Assistant, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA. 2012-2014.

Laboratory Assistant, Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP), Costa Mesa, CA. 2013.

Honors and Awards

American Society for Photogrammetry & Remote Sensing (ASPRS) – Rising Star Award, 2018.
American Society for Photogrammetry & Remote Sensing (ASPRS) Pacific Southwest Region – Geospatial Student Scholarship, 2018.
Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Science, Inc. (CUAHSI) Student Travel Grant – Sensor Network Bootcamp in an Urban Environment, 2017.
California State University Council on Ocean Affairs, Science & Technology (COAST) Graduate Student Research Award, 2017.
SDSU Inamori Fellowship, 2016-2017.
California State University Council on Ocean Affairs, Science & Technology (COAST) Travel Award, 2016.
SDSU Vivian Finch Latin American Research Award, 2015.
SDSU McFarland Geography Scholarship, 2015.
SDSU Student Research Symposium Library Research Excellence Award, 2015.
SDSU Teaching Associateship, 2014-2018.
California State University Sally Casanova California Pre-Doctoral Scholar, 2013-2014.
SDSU Graduate Assistantship, 2012-2014.
Edna Bailey Sussman Foundation Graduate Summer Research Award, 2012.
SDSU Dean’s List Semester Honors, 2008-2011.

Selected Presentations and Conference Proceedings

Taniguchi-Quan, K.T., K. Irving, E.D. Stein, A. Poresky, R.A. Wildman, A. Aprahamian, C. Rivers, G. Sharp, S.  Yarnell, and J.R. Feldman. 2022. Developing Ecological Flow Needs in an Altered Region: Application of California Environmental Flows Framework in Southern California, USA. Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting. Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Taniguchi-Quan, K.T., S. Yarnell. 2022. California Environmental Flows Framework (CEFF): Importance of groundwater and nexus between CEFF and the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). North Coast Stream Flow Coalition (virtual).

Taniguchi-Quan, K.T., E. Stein. 2022. Los Angeles River Environmental Flow Tools and Application: Overview for Regulatory Use. California Department of Fish and Wildlife CEQA and LSA Review Group (virtual).

Taniguchi-Quan, K.T., K. Irving, E. Stein, R. Wildman, A. Poresky, A. Aprahamian, C. Rivers, G. Sharp. 2021. Evaluating Hydrologic Alteration using a Functional Flows Approach. Society of Freshwater Science Annual Meeting (virtual).

Taniguchi-Quan, K.T., R. Wildman, A. Aprahamian, K. Irving, E. Stein, A. Poresky, C. Rivers, G. Sharp. 2021. The South Orange County Flow Ecology Study: Flow Ecology Approach for Watershed Prioritization. California Stormwater Quality Association 2021 Conference (virtual).

Taniguchi-Quan, K.T. 2021. Vulnerability of Streams to Hydrologic Alteration across San Diego Region. San Diego Monitoring & Management Coordination Meeting (virtual).

Taniguchi-Quan, K.T., E. Stein. 2021. Characterizing Environmental Flows Using a Functional Flows Approach. Australian Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Flow-Mer Webinar Series (virtual).

Taniguchi-Quan, K.T. 2020. South Orange County Environmental Flows Study: A California Environmental Flows Framework (CEFF) Case Study.  California Water Quality Monitoring Council - Environmental Flows Workgroup Meeting (virtual).

Taniguchi-Quan, K.T., E. Stein, S. Yarnell, J. Zimmerman, S. Sandoval Solis, B. Lane, J. Howard, T. E. Grantham, A. Obester, R. Lusardi. 2019. A coordinated approach for developing statewide environmental flow regulations in California. American Fisheries Society and The Wildlife Society Joint Annual Conference. Reno, NV.

Taniguchi-Quan, K.T. California Environmental Flows Framework: Striking the balance between ecological and human water uses. 2019. SDSU Geography Department Colloquium Seminar. San Diego, CA.

Taniguchi-Quan, K.T., S. Maguire, E.D. Stein. 2019. Establishing environmental flows for the Los Angeles River. Upper Los Angeles River and Tributaries (ULART) Working Group. Los Angeles, CA.

Taniguchi, K.T., T. Biggs, E. Langendoen, C. Castillo, N. Gudino, D. Liden, R. Bingner, and Y. Yuan. 2017. The application of 3-D Structure-from-Motion (SfM) techniques and CONCEPTS channel evolution model to simulate stream channel instability downstream of hardpoints in a rapidly urbanizing, semi-arid region of Tijuana, Mexico. American Association of Geographers (AAG) Annual Meeting. Boston, MA.

Taniguchi, K.T., T. Biggs, E. Langendoen, N. Gudino, Y. Yuan, and D. Liden. 2016. Channel stability and erosion in a rapidly urbanizing region of the US-Mexico Border: Importance of channel hardpoints. American Association of Geographers (AAG) Annual Meeting. San Francisco, CA.

Taniguchi, K.T., N. Gudino, T. Biggs, C. Castillo, E. Langendoen, R. Bingner, E. Taguas, D. Liden, and Y. Yuan. 2015. Hydrology and sediment budget of Los Laureles Canyon, Tijuana, MX: Modelling channel, gully, and rill erosion with 3D photo-reconstruction, CONCEPTS, and AnnAGNPS. European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly (virtual). Vienna, Austria.

Taniguchi, K.T., T. Biggs. 2015. Regional impacts of urbanization on stream channel geometry: Importance of watershed area and channel particle size. SDSU Student Research Symposium. San Diego, CA. [Won Library Research Excellence Award]

Publications


Journal Articles

Biggs, T., A. Zeigler, K.T. Taniguchi-Quan. 2022. Runoff and sediment loads in the Tijuana River: Dam effects, extreme events, and change during urbanization. Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies 42:101162.

Murphy, B.M., K. Russell, C.C. Stillwell, R. Hawley, M. Scoggins, K.G. Hopkins, M.J. Burns, K.T. Taniguchi-Quan, K.H. Macneal, R. Smith. 2022. Closing the gap on wicked urban stream restoration problems: A framework to integrate science and community values. Freshwater Science 41:3.

Hawley, R.J., K. Russell, K.T. Taniguchi-Quan. 2022. Restoring geomorphic integrity in urban streams via mechanistically‑based storm water management: minimizing excess sediment transport capacity. Urban Ecosystems DOI:10.1007/s11252-022-01221-y.

Grantham, T.E., D.M. Carlisle, J. Howard, B. Lane, R. Lusardi, A. Obester, S. Sandoval-Solis, B. Stanford, E.D. Stein, K.T. Taniguchi-Quan, S.M. Yarnell, J.K.H. Zimmerman. 2022. Modeling Functional Flows in California’s Rivers. Frontiers in Environmental Science 10:787473.

Wolfand, J.M., K.T. Taniguchi-Quan, R. Abdi, E. Gallo, K. Irving, D. Philippus, J.B. Rogers, E.D. Stein, T.S. Hogue. 2022. Balancing water reuse and ecological support goals in an effluent dominated river. Journal of Hydrology X 15:100124.

Taniguchi-Quan, K.T., K. Irving, E.D. Stein, A. Poresky, R.A. Wildman Jr., A. Aprahamian, C. Rivers, G. Sharp, S.M. Yarnell, J.R. Feldman. 2022. Developing Ecological Flow Needs in a Highly Altered Region: Application of California Environmental Flows Framework in Southern California, USA. Frontiers in Environmental Science 10:787631.

Irving, K., K.T. Taniguchi-Quan, A. Aprahamian, C. Rivers, G. Sharp, R.D. Mazor, S. Theroux, A. Holt, R. Peek, E.D. Stein. 2022. Application of Flow-Ecology Analysis to Inform Prioritization for Stream Restoration and Management Actions. Frontiers in Environmental Science 9:787462.

Abdi, R., A. Rust, J.M. Wolfand, K.T. Taniguchi-Quan, K. Irving, D. Philippus, E.D. Stein, T.S. Hogue. 2022. Thermal Suitability of the Los Angeles River for Cold Water Resident and Migrating Fish Under Physical Restoration Alternatives. Frontiers in Environmental Science 9:749085.

Stein, E.D., J. Zimmerman, S.M. Yarnell, B. Stanford, B. Lane, K.T. Taniguchi-Quan, A. Obester, T.E. Grantham, R.A. Lusardi, S. Sandoval-Solis. 2021. The California Environmental Flows Framework: Meeting the Challenges of Developing a Large-Scale Environmental Flows Program. Frontiers in Environmental Science 9:769943.

Abdi, R., J.B. Rogers, A. Rust, J.M. Wolfand, D. Philippus, K.T. Taniguchi-Quan, K. Irving, E.D. Stein, T.S. Hogue. 2021. Simulating the thermal impact of substrate temperature on ecological restoration in shallow urban rivers. Journal of Environmental Management DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112560.

Gudino-Elizondo, N., T.W. Biggs, R.L. Bingner, E.J. Langendoen, T. Kretzschmar, E.V. Taguas, K.T. Taniguchi-Quan, D. Liden, Y. Yuan. 2019. Modelling Runoff and Sediment Loads in a Developing Coastal Watershed of the US-Mexico Border. Water 11:1024.

Gudino, N., T. Biggs, R. Bingner, Y. Yuan, E. Taguas, E. Langendoen, K. Taniguchi, T. Kretzschmar, and D. Liden, 2018. Modeling ephemeral gully erosion from unpaved urban roads: Equifinality and implications for scenario analysis. Geosciences, 137(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences8040137

Gudino, N., T. Biggs, R. Bingner, C. Castillo, E. Langendoen, K. Taniguchi, T. Kretzschmar, Y. Yuan, and D. Liden, 2018. Measuring Ephemeral Gully Erosion Rates and Topographical Thresholds in an Urban Watershed Using Unmanned Aerial Systems and Structure from Motion Photogrammetric Techniques. Land Degradation & Development, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.2976

Taniguchi, K., T. Biggs, E. Langendoen, C. Castillo, N. Gudino, Y. Yuan, and D. Liden, 2018. Stream channel erosion in a rapidly urbanizing region of the US-Mexico Border: Documenting the importance of channel hardpoints with Structure-from-Motion photogrammetry, Earth Surface Processes and Landforms (ESPL), 43: 1465-1477. doi: 10.1002/esp.4331

Taniguchi, K. and T. Biggs, 2015. Regional impacts of urbanization on stream channel geometry: A case study in semiarid southern California, Geomorphology, 248, 228–236.

Technical Reports

Taniguchi-Quan, K.T., K. Irving, R.A. Wildman Jr., A. Poresky, J.R. Feldman, E.D. Stein, A. Aprahamian, C. Rivers, G. Sharp. 2022. Evaluation of Hydrologic Alteration to Inform Flow Management Decisions in South Orange County Coastal Watersheds. Technical Report 1245. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Costa Mesa, CA.

Sutula, M., J. Butcher, M. Schmidt, C. Boschen, R.D. Mazor, D.J. Gillett, K.T. Taniguchi-Quan, K. Irving, D. Shultz. 2022. Science Supporting Decisions on Biostimulatory Targets and Management of Eutrophication in the Main Stem of the Santa Margarita River Watershed. Technical Report 1185. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Costa Mesa, CA.

Stein, E.D., K.T. Taniguchi-Quan, J. Wolfand, E. Gallo, K. Irving, D. Philippus, R. Abdi, V. Hennon, A. Tinoco, P. Mohammadi, A. Rust, T.S. Hogue. 2021. Process and Decision Support Tools for Evaluating Flow Management Targets to Support Aquatic Life and Recreational Beneficial Uses of the Los Angeles River: Los Angeles River Environmental Flows Project. Technical Report 1196. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Costa Mesa, CA.

Stein, E.D., J. Wolfand, R. Abdi, K. Irving, V. Hennon, K.T. Taniguchi-Quan, D. Philippus, A. Tinoco, A. Rust, E. Gallo, C. Bell, T.S. Hogue. 2021. Assessment of Aquatic Life Use Needs for the Los Angeles River. Technical Report 1154. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Costa Mesa, CA.

Taniguchi-Quan, K.T., R.D. Mazor, J.S. Brown, R. Guill, M. Yeager, A. Suter, J. Rudolph, W. Isham, S. Johnson. 2020. 2018-2019 Report on the SMC Stream Survey. Technical Report 1127. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Costa Mesa, CA.