Zoë Johnson

May 27, 2026

University of Saskatchewan (USask) hydrology PhD student Zoë Johnson has received the Don Gray Scholarship in Canadian Hydrology. The award is given by the Canadian Geophysical Union (CGU) in honour of Dr. Donald Maurice Gray (1929‐2005), known as the “Father of Canadian Hydrology.” Johnson was received the award for her work on Prairie snow hydrology, building on Dr. Gray’s own research legacy in the field. Snow is a significant water resource for the Prairies, and climate change is affecting the processes driving its distribution, accumulation, and melt, with important implications for agriculture. The Prairies contain more than 80% of Canada’s farmed area and contribute over 90% of Canada’s grain exports.

“It is easy to overlook the importance of snow,” says Johnson. “Climate change is affecting many different snow-related processes all at once, and our research helps to understand the net impact on water management in the region.” The research is being undertaken in collaboration with Dr. Peter Lawford and Dr. John Pomeroy of the USask Centre for Hydrology.

Johnson’s doctoral research builds upon the project, looking at the wider implications of changing hydrology on water demand and management in Canadian mountain headwater basins.