College of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Lee Larson

Dr. Larson was born and raised in Laramie and, naturally, attended the University of Wyoming graduating with a BS degree in Civil Engineering in 1960, an MS degree in 1961 and a PhD in 1971, all from UW.

He received a commission in the Army thru the UW ROTC program and served 2 years. He was a Research Assistant at the Wyoming Water Research Institute from 1967-71 and also served as a consultant for the Wyoming State Water Plan.

After receiving his PhD he was hired by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as a Research Hydrologist. He spent 30 years with NOAA and retired in 1998 as Director of the Hydrologic Research Laboratory in Silver Spring, Maryland. He was also a member of the Department of Commerce Senior Executive Service (SES).

After retirement, Dr. Larson was hired as a consultant by NOAA and taught advanced hydrology at the National Weather Service Training Center in Kansas City. He also served as a consultant to NOAA in the development and implementation of the National Climate Reference Network. He has been active with ASCE in promoting engineering studies for local students.