
Robert K. Hartman
Special Recognition Award
Below is the text found on the Special Recognition Award presented to Rob Hartman at the 2016 California Extreme Precipitation Symposium held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Sacramento, CA on September 6, 2016.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD
Presented To
California-Nevada River Forecast Center
National Weather Service
In 32 years with the National Weather Service, Rob Hartman was instrumental in pioneering the implementation of new science and technology into advanced hydrologic warning and forecast services. He always understood the promise of good science, the value of innovation, and the benefits of working relationships. Rob is exceptional in his ability to blend these three elements to meet demands of real-time operational work. The advances in operational hydrology delivered through his teams at NWS are testimony to his leadership.
For more than a decade, Rob was on the leading edge of advancing the Hydrologic Ensemble Forecast System. His stewardship of technical developments, promotion of user applications, and identification of HEFS enhancements improved critical water-related decisions impacting flood risk management, power generation, water supply, and at-risk fisheries management.
Rob made significant contributions in the conception, design and implementation of the Community Hydrologic Prediction System now used by all RFCs nationwide. The highly successful implementation of CHPS is allowing the advancement of HEFS and the integration of new modeling and enhancements to NWS hydrologic prediction services.
Playing a pivotal role in developing the groundbreaking forecast-informed reservoir operations at Folsom Dam and Lake Mendocino, Rob focused on solving water management and flood forecast challenges through collaboration of multiple government agencies and research institutions.
Leading the CNRFC for the past 20 years, Rob Hartman served the NWS and the people of California with exceptional distinction. His dedication, knowledge, technical skill, and commitment to public service reflect great credit on him. This award expresses our deep appreciation of his service, vision, contributions, and leadership.
California Extreme Precipitation Symposium
September 6, 2016
At the Event
Professional Background
Rob is the Hydrologist in Charge at the California-Nevada River Forecast Center (CNRFC), an office of NOAA and the National Weather Service. Rob has held this position since January 1996 and will retire from federal service at the end of water year 2016. Prior to this, Rob held the following positions:
- Development and Implementation Hydrologist, NWS National Operational Remote Sensing Center, Minneapolis, MN ('93-'96)
- Senior Hydrologist, NWS Colorado Basin River Forecast Center, Salt Lake City, UT ('90-'93)
- Hydrologist, USDA Soil Conservation Service, WNTC, Portland, OR ('88-'90)
- Hydrologist, NWS Northwest River Forecast Center, Portland, OR ('82-'88)
In 2013-2014 Rob also completed an 8-month detail as Acting Director of the Office of Hydrologic Development in Silver Spring, MD.
Throughout his career, Rob has been known as a progressive change agent who is honest, direct, thoughtful, and gets at the root causes of problems. His pattern has been to identify gaps and develop new and improved methods of collecting and processing information, generating forecasts, and providing needed information and service. Over the past twenty years he's guided the CNRFC in a collaborative fashion and built a great team of professionals who are dedicated to providing the best science-based service possible. The CNRFC was honored by the California Extreme Precipitation Symposium (CEPSYM) in 2013. At the same time, Rob has been active in the broader NWS Hydrology Program and influenced the trajectory of NWS operations, modeling, and service.
Along the way, Rob has been fortunate to interact and work with numerous colleagues from federal, state, and local agencies, the private sector, non-profits and academia. These individuals provided keen insight, knowledge and experiences that helped Rob develop the professional vision that guide his everyday decisions.
Notable Awards & Recognition
- 2008: Max A. Kohler Award
"To recognize meritorious service sustained for a period of years contributing to the fulfillment of the hydrologic forecast and flood warning mission of the National Weather Service"
- 2013: NOAA Gold Medal
"For exceptional leadership in spearheading implementation of the new Community Hydrologic Prediction System for river and water resources forecasting"
Education
- B.S., Utah State University, Logan — Forestry (1977)
- M.S., University of Arizona, Tucson — Watershed Management (1980)