Gonzalo Espinoza Dávalos, PhD

Advancing Water Resources Through Geospatial Technologies

Civil Engineering • Water Resources & Environment • GIS & Geospatial Analysis • Earth Observations & Remote Sensing

I specialize in integrating global, earth observations, and remote sensing datasets for water management and civil engineering practices using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). With extensive experience developing hydrological tools and interactive web applications, I focus on understanding stakeholder needs and bridging the gap between advanced technology and applied solutions. Currently, I'm a Principal GIS Engineer at Esri, part of the Living Atlas of the World team.

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Expertise

Over 10 years working with stakeholders to advance water resources through geospatial technology—translating complex data into actionable insights and applications that solve real-world challenges

GIS & Geospatial Analysis

Building workflows and interactive applications that process large-scale datasets to extract actionable insights. Developing spatial models and tools that make complex scientific data accessible for practical water management.

Remote Sensing & Earth Observation

Integrating satellite imagery and global datasets into geospatial and engineering models that deliver practical, actionable, local-scale water resource solutions.

Applied Water Resources Research

Developing innovative workflows and implementing research into practical tools for integrated water resources management, including flood forecasting systems and decision support applications.

Featured Projects

Geospatial tools and web applications for water management with local impact through national and international collaboration

GEOGLOWS Streamflow Forecasting

Global hydrologic model providing streamflow forecasts and historical simulations for rivers worldwide, democratizing water management at a global scale.

Global Scale Hydrologic Modeling Forecasting
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National Water Model

NOAA's operational hydrologic model providing hourly streamflow forecast across the United States, enabling flood forecasting and inundation mapping.

National Scale Streamflow Forecasting Flood Inundation Mapping
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Remote Sensing for Water Productivity

FAO initiative using satellite data to measure agricultural water productivity and establish water accounting frameworks across Africa and the Middle East.

Water Accounting Water Productivity Agriculture Remote Sensing
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NASA Data Rods Explorer

Interactive tool for exploring and accessing multidimensional climate and hydrologic datasets for water resources analysis.

Data Access Climate Data Global Models Visualization
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Esri Drought Aware

App for visualizing U.S. drought conditions over time with weekly automated updates, assessing impacts on population, agriculture, and water resources across varying drought intensities.

ArcGIS Drought Monitoring Web App
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Water Accounting+

Water Accounting Framework using global remote sensing data, tracking water flows, stocks, and consumption to support water governance, hydrodiplomacy and informed water management decisions in river basins.

IHE Delft Remote Sensing Basin Management
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Research

Research contributions to water resources and geospatial science

Journal Articles

Assessment of Precipitation and Evapotranspiration in an Urban Area Using Remote Sensing Products (CHIRP, CMORPH, and SSEBop): The Case of the Metropolitan Region of Belem, Amazon
Paca, VHdM; de Souza, EB; Queiroz, JCB; Espinoza-Dávalos, GE
Water, 2023, 15(19), 3498
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Remote Sensing Products Validated by Flux Tower Data in Amazon Rain Forest
Paca, VHdM; Espinoza-Dávalos, GE; da Silva, R; Tapajós, R; Gaspar, AB;
Remote Sensing, 2022, 14(5), 1259
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Variability of Trends in Precipitation across the Amazon River Basin Determined from the CHIRPS Precipitation Product and from Station Records
Paca, VHdM.; Espinoza-Dávalos, GE; Moreira, DM; Comair, GF
Water, 2020, 12(5), 1244
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The spatial variability of actual evapotranspiration across the Amazon River Basin based on remote sensing products validated with flux towers
Paca, VHdM.; Espinoza-Dávalos, GE; Hessels, TM; Moreira DM; Comair, GF, Bastiaanssen WGM.
Ecological Processes, 2019, 8(1), 6
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Evaluating the Benefits of Merging Near-Real-Time Satellite Precipitation Products: A Case Study in the Kinu Basin Region, Japan
Mastrantonas, N; Bhattacharya, B; Shibuo, Y; Rasmy, M; Espinoza-Dávalos, GE; Solomatine, D
Journal of Hydrometeorology, 2019, 20(7), 1295-1311
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Studying soil moisture at a national level through statistical analysis of NASA NLDAS data
Espinoza-Dávalos, GE; Arctur, DK; Teng, W; Maidment, DR; García-Martí, I; Comair, GF
Journal of Hydroinformatics, 2016, 18(2), 277-287
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A new open source platform for lowering the barrier for environmental web app development
Swain, NR; Christensen, SD; Snow, AD; Dolder, H; Espinoza-Dávalos, GE; Goharian, E; Jones, NL; Nelson, EJ; Ames, DP; Burian, SJ
Environmental Modelling & Software, 2016, 85, 11-26
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Large-scale statistical analysis of NLDAS variables and hydrologic web applications
Espinoza-Dávalos, GE
Doctoral dissertation, The University of Texas at Austin, 2016
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Assessing Water Security in the Jordan River Basin: Temporal Changes for Precipitation, Evapotranspiration and Land Cover
Comair, GF; Espinoza-Dávalos, GE; McKinney, DC
Water, 2023, 15, 4064
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Hydrology of the Jordan River Basin: A GIS-Based System to Better Guide Water Resources Management and Decision Making
Comair, GF; McKinney, DC; Maidment, DR; Espinoza-Dávalos, GE; Sangiredy, H; Fayad, A; Salas, FR
Water Resources Management, 2014, 933–946
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Transboundary cooperation in international basins: Clarification and experiences from the Orontes River Basin agreement: Part 2
Comair, GF; McKinney, DC; Scoullos, MJ; Flinker, RH; Espinoza-Dávalos, GE
Environmental Science & Policy, 2013, 31, 141-148
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Transboundary cooperation in international basins: Clarification and experiences from the Orontes river basin agreement: Part 1
Comair, GF; McKinney, DC; Scoullos, MJ; Flinker, RH; Espinoza-Dávalos, GE
Environmental Science & Policy, 2013, 31, 133-140
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Professional Engagement

WaPOR Database Methodology Version 2
FAO, 2020
Water Productivity through remotely sensed derived data
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Water Accounting in the Litani River Basin
FAO and IHE Delft, 2019
WaPOR water accounting reports
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The Power of Where: A Geographic Approach to the World's Greatest Challenges
Dangermond, J., 2024
Esri Press
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Geospatial Water Technology Conference (GWTC) - American Water Resources Association (AWRA)
Conference General Chair
Niagara Falls, NY, 2026
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Geospatial Water Technology Conference (GWTC) - American Water Resources Association (AWRA)
Technical Program Chair
Orlando, FL, 2024
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Education & Training

Teaching professionals how to leverage GIS and global datasets for water resources engineering and environmental applications

Workshops & Training Programs

Building global capacity through hands-on technical training

International training initiatives delivering specialized GIS, water resources management, and remote sensing expertise to professionals and government agencies in diverse international contexts.

Digital Learning Resources

Practical guides to the latest geospatial tools and technologies

Online tutorials, blogs, and interactive platforms delivering educational content that makes geospatial and hydrologic data accessible to practitioners and the public.

Course & Materials Development

Building technical expertise through academic programs

Academic course coordination and teaching in remote sensing, water accounting, geostatistics, and hydroinformatics at university level, including machine learning workshops and continuous education initiatives.

Let's Connect

Interested in collaboration, consulting opportunities, or discussing water resources and geospatial technologies? Get in touch

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