Christopher Marsh
chris.marsh@usask.ca chrismarsh.ca
Interests
To better forecast water resources in cold-regions under climate and landuse change by using multi-scale modular
modelling strategies and supporting eld observations
• cryosphere-hydrology • computational hydrology • eld work • high-performance computing • the outdoors
Education
2012–2019 Ph.D. Physical Geography
University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK
Supervisors: Dr. John Pomeroy, Dr. Howard Wheater
Multi-Scale Modelling of Cold Regions Hydrology
2009–2012 M.Sc. Physical Geography
University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK
Supervisors: Dr. John Pomeroy, Dr. Raymond Spiteri
Implication Of Mountain Shading And Topographic Scaling On Energy For Snowmelt
2005–2009 B.Sc. Honours Physical Geography, Minors: Math and Comp. Sci.
University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK
High Resolution Radiation Modelling In Complex Terrain
Skills
Languages
• Native English
• French immersion (Grade 12)
Technical skills
• Languages: C, C++, R, Python, Matlab, FORTRAN, Bash
• Code development: git, conan, easy build, Github Actions, Read the docs
• Key libraries: xarray, pandas, dplyr, ggplot2, esmf
• High Performance Computing (HPC): OpenMP, MPI, SLURM, Paraview, Totalview
• GIS: ArcGIS, SAGA GIS, QGIS, GDAL
• Ofce: MS Ofce, Photoshop, L
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X
• OS: Linux (Fedora, Ubuntu, CentOS), Macos, Windows
Field work
• Datalogger
• Site maintenance
• Meteorological site installation and operation
• Snow surveys
Instruction
• CRCA Canoe Moving Water Level 1 and 2
• CRCA Canoe Moving Water 1 Instructors
• CSIA Downhill Skiing Level 1 Instructors
Safety
• Rescue 3 International SwiftWater Rescue Technician Unit 1
• OHS Standard Level First Aid and CPR Level C
• Over 20 years of extensive remote outdoor experience such as wilderness camping and canoeing
Christopher Marsh i chrismarsh.ca
Research Experience
2019–present Postdoctoral Fellow
Development of the Canadian Hydrological Model (CHM) to meet the needs to the next-
generation hydrological modelling group with Global Water Futures.
University of Saskatchewan
2012–present Lab Assistant
Coordinated purchases, conguration, and on-going support of the shared workstations
used for numerical simulations at the Centre for Hydrology
Center for Hydrology, University of Saskatchewan
2012–2019 PhD. Field work
Canmore, AB; Whitehorse, YK
Snow surveys, meteorological site maintenance, ground control of historical sites
2012 CRHM Tools developer
Supervisor: John Pomeroy
Lead developer on the Cold Regions Hydrological Model (CRHM) Tools project at the Univer-
sity of Saskatchewan
2009–2012 Field work for M.Sc.
Canmore, AB
Installing radiometers and time lapse cameras, snow surveys, and meteorological site main-
tenance
2009 MITACS summer employment with Environment Canada
Supervisor: Bruce Davison and Raymond Spiteri
Improved MESH efciency via parallelization and code optimization
2008 Modelling with the Cold Regions Hydrological Model (CRHM) for work in ungauged basins
Supervisor: John Pomeroy
Spring 2008 International Polar Year
Supervisor: Stephan Pohl & Cuyler Onclin
Field assistant for instrument installation (water level recorders, snow surveys, vegetation
surveys, and surveying (Total Station) at Trail Valley Creek, Inuvik, NWT
Spring 2006 Environment Canada
Supervisor: Cuyler Onclin
Field assistant for instrument installation of water level recorders and surveying at Trail Valley
Creek, Inuvik, NWT
Scientic service
2021–present CRYOLIST.org
Owner and manager of the listserv
2016–2017 Young Hydrologic Society (YHS) Canada branch
Chair and founding member
2010–2021 CRYOLIST.org
Co-manager of the listserv
2012–2018 Global Institute for Water Security (GIWS) student group
Founding member and committee member
University of Saskatchewan
Christopher Marsh ii chrismarsh.ca
Peer review
• Atmosphere-Ocean
• Computers and Geoscience
• The Cryosphere
• Journal of Hydrology
• Water Resources Research (WRR)
• Geoscientic Model Development (GMD)
• Hydrology and Earth System Sciences (HESS)
• Journal of Glaciology
• Big Earth Data
• Environmental Processes
• Hydrological Processes
Teaching experience
2022 Lecturer
Geography 825, University of Saskatchewan
Lecture on hydrological modelling and high performance computing paradigms
2021 Lecturer
Computer Science 851, University of Saskatchewan
Lecture on high performance computing for research code
2016–2019 Lecturer
Geography 290, University of Saskatchewan
Lectures for two weeks on remote sensing and GIS. Prepared material and taught the asso-
ciated labs, as well as providing 1-on-1 teaching
2016 Teaching assistant
Geography 225, University of Saskatchewan
2nd year general hydrological course. Lead labs and provided 1-on-1 teaching
2016 Teaching assistant
Geography 290, University of Saskatchewan
2nd year introduction to eld methods. Assisted in the eld with students
2014 Teaching assistant
Geography 225, University of Saskatchewan
2nd year general hydrological course. Lead labs and provided 1-on-1 teaching
Christopher Marsh iii chrismarsh.ca
Computational hydrology
The Canadian Hydrological Model (CHM)
Lead developer of Canadian Hydrological Model (CHM), a novel modular unstructured mesh
based approach for hydrological modelling. It can move between spatial scale, temporal
scale, and spatial extents. It is designed for developing and testing process representations
for hydrological models. It is written in C++ and uses OpenMP and MPI to utilize hundreds
to thousands of CPUs.
https://github.com/Chrismarsh/CHM
Mesher
Lead developer of Mesher, a novel multi-objective unstructured mesh generation software
that allows mesh generation to be generated from an arbitrary number of hydrologically im-
portant features while maintaining a variable spatial resolution. It is written in Python and C++
and uses MPI to utilize hundreds of CPUs.
https://github.com/Chrismarsh/mesher
Windmapper
Lead developer of Windmapper, a python tool and a set of algorithms for producing and using
pre-computed libraries of wind eld used for wind downscaling. It is written in Python and
uses MPI to utilize hundreds of CPUs.
https://github.com/Chrismarsh/Windmapper
pyCHM
Lead developer of pyCHM, a python library to work with the output of CHM. It makes exten-
sive use of xarray, pandas, and ESMPy.
https://github.com/Chrismarsh/pyCHM
SnowCast
Lead developer of SnowCast, an experimental Canadian Hydrological Model (CHM) data
product that downscales the Global Environmental Multiscale (GEM) model forecasts from
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to provide high resolution snowpack fore-
casts that take into account variable window, solar radiation, precipitation, and temperature
over complex terrain. It is written in Python and makes extensive use of the xarray and pan-
das libraries.
www.snowcast.ca
Christopher Marsh iv chrismarsh.ca
Awards & Grants
2021 STIC SREDA nalist
Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority
2020 Graduate Thesis Award for PhD
University of Saskatchewan
2016 AGU Flash Freeze competition
American Geophysical Union
2016 AGU Outstanding Student Paper Award in Cryosphere
American Geophysical Union, student presentation
2014–2016 NSERC Alexander Graham Bell
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
2014 CGU Stan Patterson award in Glaciology
Canadian Geophysical Union
2014 Saskatchewan Innovation and Opportunity
University of Saskatchewan and Gov. Saskatchewan research in a signature area
2013 J.H. Richards Graduate Award
University of Saskatchewan, highest average
2012 AGU Outstanding Student Paper Award in Cryosphere
American Geophysical Union, student presentation
2011 D.M. Gray Hydrology Award
CGU-HS, top student paper and presentation
2009–2012 Graduate Student Scholarship
University of Saskatchewan, academic performance
2009 Canadian Association of Geographers
Most distinguished geography undergraduate
2008 Honours scholarship
University of Saskatchewan, academic performance
Christopher Marsh v chrismarsh.ca
Publications
Marsh, C. B., P. Harder, and J. W. Pomeroy (in review), Validation of FABDEM, a global forest and building removed
elevation dataset, against a UAV-lidar derived sub-canopy dataset in a forested mountain catchment, Environmental
Research Communications.
Marsh, C. B., V. Vionnet, and J. W. Pomeroy (in review), Windmapper: An efcient wind downscaling method for hy-
drological models, Environmental Research Communications.
Knoben, W. J. M., M. P. Clark, J. Bales, A. Bennett, S. Gharari, Marsh, C. B., B. Nijssen, A. Pietroniro, R. J. Spiteri,
G. Tang, D. G. Tarboton, and A. W. Wood (2022), Community Workows to Advance Reproducibility in Hydrologic
Modeling: Separating Model-Agnostic and Model-Specic Conguration Steps in Applications of Large-Domain Hy-
drologic Models, Water Resources Research 58(11), DOI: 10.1029/2021wr031753.
Marsh, C. B., V. Vionnet, and J.W. Pomeroy (2022), The Canadian Hydrological Model: A New Way to Estimate Snow-
packs in the Canadian Rockies, The Avalanche Journal, Winter (2022-23).
Pomeroy, J.W., T. Brown, X. Fang, K.R. Shook, D. Pradhananga, R. Armstrong, P. Harder, Marsh, C. B., D. Costa, S.A.
Krogh, C. Aubry-Wake, H. Annand, P. Lawford, Z. He, M. Kompanizare, and J.I. Lopez Moreno (2022), The cold
regions hydrological modelling platform for hydrological diagnosis and prediction based on process understanding,
Journal of Hydrology 615(Hydrology and Earth System Science 26 21 2022), p. 128711, DOI: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.
2022.128711.
Marsh, C.B., K. R. Green, B. Wang, and R. J. Spiteri (2021a), Performance improvements to modern hydrological
models via lookup table optimizations, Environmental Modelling & Software, p. 105018, DOI: 10.1016/j.envsoft.
2021.105018.
Vionnet, V., Marsh, C.B., B. Menounos, S. Gascoin, N.E. Wayand, J. Shea, K. Mukherjee, and J.W. Pomeroy (2021),
Multi-scale snowdrift-permitting modelling of mountain snowpack, The Cryosphere 15, pp. 743–769, DOI: 10.5194/
tc-15-743-2021.
Leroux, N.R., Marsh, C.B., and J.W. Pomeroy (2020), Simulation of Preferential Flow in Snow with a 2D Non-Equilibrium
Richards Model and Evaluation against Laboratory Data, Water Resources Research 56.
Marsh, C.B, J.W. Pomeroy, R.J. Spiteri, and H.S Wheater (2020a), A Finite Volume Blowing Snow Model for Use With
Variable Resolution Meshes, Water Resources Research 56(2), DOI: 10.1029/2019wr025307.
Marsh, C.B., J.W. Pomeroy, and H.S. Wheater (2020), The Canadian Hydrological Model (CHM) v1.0: a multi-scale,
multi-extent, variable-complexity hydrological model – design and overview, Geoscientic Model Development 13(1),
pp. 225–247, DOI: 10.5194/gmd-13-225-2020.
Marsh, C.B, R.J. Spiteri, J.W. Pomeroy, and H.S. Wheater (2018), Multi-objective unstructured triangular mesh gener-
ation for use in hydrological and land surface models, Computers & Geosciences 119, pp. 49–67, DOI: 10.1016/
j.cageo.2018.06.009.
Wayand, N.E., Marsh, C.B., J.M. Shea, and J.W. Pomeroy (2018), Globally scalable alpine snow metrics, Remote
Sensing of Environment 213, pp. 61–72, DOI: 10.1016/j.rse.2018.05.012.
Marsh, C.B., J.W. Pomeroy, and R.J. Spiteri (2012b), Implications of mountain shading on calculating energy for
snowmelt using unstructured triangular meshes, Hydrological Processes 26(12), pp. 1767–1778, DOI: 10.1002/
hyp.9329, URL: http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/hyp.9329.
Thesis
Marsh, C.B. (2019), Multi-Scale Modelling of Cold Regions Hydrology, Ph.D, University of Saskatchewan.
– (2012), Implications of mountain shading on calculating energy for snowmelt using unstructured triangular meshes,
M.Sc. University of Saskatchewan.
– (2009), Application and comparison of high resolution radiation models in complex terrain, Undergraduate, University
of Saskatchewan.
Book Chapters
Marsh, C. B. (2023), Contributing Author, Canadian Mountain Assessment, ed. by Graham McDowell, University of
Calgary Press, chap. Mountains Under Pressure.
Christopher Marsh vi chrismarsh.ca
Conferences (Oral presentation)
Marsh, C.B., Kevin Green, Raymond J. Spiteri, Zhibang Lv, Vincent Vionnet, and John W. Pomeroy (2022a), New
developments in the Canadian Hydrological Model (CHM) and large-extent simulations, International Network for
Alpine Research Catchment Hydrology (INARCH; October 18–20; Baños de Panticosa, Spain).
Marsh, C.B., Zhibang Lv, Kevin Green, Raymond J. Spiteri, Vincent Vionnet, and John W. Pomeroy (2022b), Large Extent
Snowdrift-resolving Snowpack Simulations Across the Canadian Cordillera, American Geophysical Union (AGU; Dec
12–16; Chicago, USA).
Marsh, C.B., Vincent Vionnet, Kevin Green, Raymond J. Spiteri, Zhibang Lv, and John W. Pomeroy (2022c), SnowCast:
Daily forecasts of mountain snowpack using a snowdrift-permitting model, Canadian Water Resources Association
(CWRA); June 5-8; Canmore, Alberta, Canada).
Marsh, C.B., Vincent Vionnet, Kevin Green, Raymond J. Spiteri, Martyn P. Clark, and John W. Pomeroy (2021b), Devel-
opment of the Canadian Hydrological Model (CHM) for multi-scale snow simulations, International Network for Alpine
Research Catchment Hydrology (INARCH; October 18–20; Online).
Marsh, C.B., V. Vionnet, K. Green, R. Spiteri, N. Wayand, H. Wheater, and J.W. Pomeroy (2019a), Multiscale snow
hydrology modelling, IUGG-CGU (invited speaker); July 8-18; Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
– (2019b), Segment 5 intervention for: Diagnostic, coupled atmospheric-cryospheric-hydrological models operating at
“snowdrift resolving scales” are needed in mountains in order to resolve the processes forming avalanches, glaciers
and snow patches that control mountain streamow generation, cryospheric features and hazards. WMO High Moun-
tain Summit (invited speaker); Oct 29-31; Geneva, Switzerland.
Marsh, C.B. (2017), Simulating Complex, Cold-region Process Interactions Using a Multi-scale, Variable-complexity
Hydrological Model (OSPA Invited), AGU; Dec 11-15; New Orleans, LA, USA.
Marsh, C.B., J.W. Pomeroy, H. Wheater, N. Wayand, and R. Spiteri (2017a), Simulating blowing snow with the Canadian
Hydrological Model, AGU; Dec 11-15; New Orleans, LA, USA.
– (2017b), Simulating steady-state blowing snow with the Canadian Hydrological Model, CGU-HS; May 29-31; Van-
cover, BC, Canada.
Marsh, C.B., N. Wayand, R. Spiteri, J.W. Pomeroy, and H. Wheater (2017c), Towards Large-Scale Simulations in
the Yukon with the Canadian Hydrological Model, Wolf Creek Research Basin 25th Anniversary Science Summit;
September 28-29; Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada.
Marsh, C.B., J.W. Pomeroy, and H. Wheater (2016), Testing warranted model complexity using a multi-scale, variable-
complexity hydrological model, CGU-HS; May 29-June 2; Fredericton, NB, Canada.
Marsh, C.B., N. Wayand, J.W. Pomeroy, and H. Wheater (2016a), The Canadian Hydrological Model: a Multiscale,
Multiphysics, Variable Resolution Mesh Simulation System for Cold Regions, AGU; Dec 12-16; San Francisco, CA,
USA.
– (2016b), The Canadian Hydrological Model: a Multiscale, Multiphysics, Variable Resolution Mesh Simulation System
for Cold Regions, AGU Flash Freeze; Dec 12-16; San Francisco, CA, USA.
Marsh, C.B., J.W. Pomeroy, and H. Wheater (2015), Robustness in the spring surface energy balance in a mountain
basin, CGU-HS; May 3-7; Montreal, QC, Canada.
– (2014), Impacts of spatial scaling of unstructured meshes on calculating surface irradiance, CGU-HS; May 4-8; Banf,
AB, Canada.
Marsh, C.B., J.W. Pomeroy, R.J. Spiteri, D. Marks, M. Hayashi, S. Munro, M. Demuth, and H. Wheater (2013), Impacts
of spatial scaling of unstructured meshes on calculating surface irradiance, CGU-HS; May 27-30; Saskatoon, SK,
Canada.
Marsh, C.B., J.W. Pomeroy, and R.J. Spiteri (2012a), Implication of mountain shading and topographic scaling on energy
for snowmelt, AGU Dec 3-7 (invited speaker); San. Francisco, Calif. , USA.
– (2011a), Implication of mountain shading and topographic scaling on energy for snowmelt, CGU-HS student con-
ference Jan 29; Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
– (2011b), Implication of mountain shading and topographic scaling on energy for snowmelt, CGU-HS May 15-18;
Banff, Alberta, Canada.
Christopher Marsh vii chrismarsh.ca
Conferences (Posters)
Marsh, C.B., Vincent Vionnet, Kevin Green, Raymond J. Spiteri, and John W. Pomeroy (2021c), Daily forecasts of
mountain snowpack using a snowdrift-permitting model, Eastern Snow Conference; 9 June; Online.
Marsh, C.B., Vincent Vionnet, Kevin Green, Raymond J. Spiteri, Brian Menounos, and John W. Pomeroy (2020b), Multi-
objective unstructured meshes for improved mountain snow hydrology with the Canadian Hydrological Model (CHM),
AGU Dec 1-17 2020; San Francisco, California, USA.
Marsh, C.B. and J.W. Pomeroy (2018), PBSM3D: A complex terrain blowing snow model for use with variable resolution
meshes, International Network for Alpine Research Catchment Hydrology (INARCH) February 8-9; Environmental
Research Station Schneefernerhaus, Germany.
Headstrom, N., R. Granger, S. Miller, M. Marsh, and Marsh, C.B. (2013), Effect of Buoy Motion on Eddy Flux Measure-
ments over Lakes, CGU-HS May 27-30; Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
Marsh, C.B. and J.W. Pomeroy (2013), Automated Hydrological Response Unit create for use with CRHM, CGU-HS
May 27-30; Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
Marsh, C.B., J.W. Pomeroy, and R.J. Spiteri (2011c), Implication of mountain shading and topographic scaling on energy
for snowmelt, CGU-HS Student conference, Jan 29; Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Marsh, P., S. Endrizzi, C. Derksen, M. Russell, C. Onclin, H. Wilson, J. Pomeroy, and Marsh, C.B. (2010), Factors
controlling the spatial variability in end of winter snowcover and spring melt at an arctic tundra site, AGU Dec 13-17;
San Francisco, California, USA.
Marsh, C.B., R.J. Spiteri, and B. Davison (2009a), Improved MESH efciency via parallelization and code optimization,
P3/WC2N Annual conference, Oct 14-17; Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada.
Marsh, C.B., S. Pohl, and G.E. Liston (2007), Impact of increased shrub density on snow accumulation and melt in the
Arctic tundra, IUGG; Perugia, Italy.
Session convenor
Emphasizing F, I, and R in FAIR Hydrology: Bottlenecks and Solutions to Making Hydrologic Science More Reproducible
I Hybrid Panel (2022), Frontiers in Hydrology Meeting 2022; June 19-24 2022; San Juan, Puerto Rico + Online.
Cold regions hydrology (2021a), Canadian Geophysical Union (CGU); June 24th; Online.
Observation and modelling of snow processes: integrating legacy and new tools to advance snow science (2021b),
Canadian Geophysical Union (CGU); 1-3 June 2022 and 6-8 June 2022.; Online.
A Call to Action for FAIR, Reproducible, and Transparent Science: Analytical Code, Workows, Services, Models, and
Conclusions eLightning (2020), American Geophysical Union (AGU); Online.
Canadian Geophysical Union Hydrology Section (CGU-HS) student conference (2012), University of Saskatchewan,
Saskatoon, Canada.
Technical report
Marsh, C.B., R.J. Spiteri, and B. Davison (2009b), Improved MESH efciency via parallelization and code optimization,
tech. rep., Department of Computer Science, The University of Saskatchewan.
Christopher Marsh viii chrismarsh.ca
