ASCE has honored James L. Fouss, Ph.D, P.E., D.WRE (Ret.), M.ASCE, with the 2019 Royce J. Tipton Award for significant contributions to the advancement of agricultural drainage and water management through research, technology transfer, and service.
Fouss had a distinguished 46-year career with USDA-ARS as an agricultural engineer and research leader, retiring in 2011.
He is recognized as a world leader in agricultural drainage. From 1960 to 1972, Fouss conducted original and pioneering research and development of 4-in.-diameter polyethylene (PE) plastic corrugated-wall drainage tubing, and the laser-beam automatically controlled plow-type equipment for rapid and accurate subsurface drain installation. He directed and supervised fabrication and testing of prototype corrugated plastic tubing, plow equipment, and the laser-beam grade-control system using modeling/simulation and laboratory and field experiment methods, and provided technical assistance in developing the first ASTM Standard and Specification for corrugated high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic tubing based on research findings and product testing.
Fouss has authored more than 160 technical journal articles, bulletins, and conference proceedings, 10 book chapters, 16 U.S. and two foreign patents (while in industry), and many technical reports and private engineering consulting reports on corrugated plastic pipe design.
The Royce J. Tipton Award recognizes contributions to the advancement of irrigation and drainage engineering in teaching, research, planning, design, construction, or management.
