2006—Year of Continuity and Momentum

The end of the year 2006 invites reflection, thanksgiving, and anticipation. Each year has its own claim to being special or auspicious, and 2006 is no exception. It was five decades ago that the journal set out on its own, an indication that the field and community of hydraulic engineering were of sufficient depth and breadth to sustain a technical forum devoted specifically to its own issues. 2006 is also the centennial of the birth of Hunter Rouse, certainly one of those twentieth-century giants on whose shoulders we now all stand and whose example all contributors to the journal strive in some measure to emulate. We are grateful that Professor Ettema kindly agreed on short notice to provide the remembrance of Rouse and his wide-ranging impact that appears in this month’s issue.

The journal has undergone noteworthy changes over the past year, some more perceptible than others. The baton of the editorship has been passed relatively smoothly, and another leg of this essential enterprise has begun. The Editorial Board has, however, largely remained the same, providing the necessary continuity in the evaluation of manuscripts. Several members—Philippe Coussot, Poojitha Yapa, Peter Stansby, and Willi Hager—did elect to step down during the past year because of increased personal and professional commitments. They have over the years performed yeoman’s service for the journal, for which we can only offer this certainly inadequate expression of appreciation. Terry Sturm and Greg Lawrence have agreed to join the board, and they will no doubt find their new roles fulfilling if demanding. Thanks then to past and current associate editors for their strong and reliable support.

To the contributors and reviewers of the journal, the most perceptible change of 2006 was likely the adoption, since May, of an electronic submission and review system. This system promises a more secure and transparent approach to journal management and may also facilitate a more timely review process. Thus far, even if it is still a work in progress, the system has been positively received. A notable increase in the rate of submissions has been recorded since its debut. Improvements still need to be made, particularly to accommodate reviewers, who after all, stand, at the crux of the peer-review institution. Suggestions for improvements are always welcome.

The quality of a journal rests on its authors and on its reviewers. Although the authors rightly receive the rewards that accompany a journal publication, anonymous reviewers must content themselves with the satisfaction of having helped improve an article and maintaining the high standards of the journal. This rather unequal apportioning of rewards is made just only by the frequent reversal of roles, when reviewer becomes author. It is nevertheless appropriate at this time to thank all reviewers of the journal, who have allotted scarce hours to careful and exacting reading of manuscripts, thereby contributing in large measure to the success of the journal. The efforts of those listed in this end-of-year issue and the important role that they have played require acknowledgement. In spite of our best efforts, we may have overlooked (or have misstated) some, and to them we offer our apologies.

In addition to the Editorial Board, an entire unheralded team is involved in publishing the journal. At Purdue University, there was first Kamie Redinbo and now Dinah Hackerd, who together successfully managed the editorial transition, with much assistance from Jenifer Davis and Pierre Julien at Colorado State University. The ASCE team of Johanna Reinhart, Jackie Perry, Holly Koppel, and Jane Perry have kept us on the straight and narrow path and helped a neophyte editor find his bearings. Kurt Branham navigated the way to our new online system, and its positive reception is testament to his good work.

The past year has thrown up challenges that were gracefully weathered. As the Journal embarks on a new year, it does so with much momentum, with the major transitions already negotiated. In valuing the continuity with the past and inspired by Rousean ideals of fundamental mechanics, education of the hydraulic engineer in the broadest sense, and awareness of history, the journal and the community that it serves can look forward to the coming year with renewed vigor.