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Water Data and Science Committee Webinar–March 28, 2022–Wade Kress & Meredith Reitz–USGS

Link to Recording of webinar:  https://youtu.be/ETxVbYB6meM

  1. Call to Order—Chair Amy Shallcross -DRBC called to order at 2:02 p.m. Central.
  2. Introductions of Participants on the call: Amy Shallcross, Chair; Sue Lowry; Meredith Reitz; Kay Whittington; Mike Nardolilli; Wei Han; Brian Atkins; Wayne Slade; Drew Dehoff; Mel Fegler; Joy Loughry; Randy Hadland; Wade Loseman; Wade Kress; Christopher Estes; Martha Nielson; Steve Westerbrooke.

 Webinar — Recent USGS Groundwater Research—Wade Kress, Assistant Director, Hydrologic Decision Science  Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center & Meredith Reitz, USGS

Please visit the full recording at the link above to watch the presentation.  Wade and Meredith discussed the results of total water budget modeling in the Mississippi River Valley Alluvial.  The goal is to look at total run off and determine what water supply is available for other uses.  ET is by far the largest input in the model.  Meredith went into more detail on the National Data sets for Surface runoff and historical monthly ET calculations from 1895 to present that were available.  Crop demand information is available in areas for improved model calibration.

  1. ICWP Internship Program for Spring, 2022—Discuss Study Projects
  1. USACE Implementation of FIRO—on agenda for Roundtable
  1. Report out of other ICWP committee activities –Trans-basin Diversion webinars—next April 21
  1. Workplan development for the Committee
    1. Workplan updates– Amy recapped and asked committee members for suggestions related to priorities of the committee for the year.
  1. Other items for the Committee’s consideration
    1. Support for NOAA-NWS Atlas 14—FLOODS and PRECIP —NPR coverage—send letter re: spending of infrastructure $$ for Atlas 14
    2. National Climate Adaptation & Resilience Strategy Act—S. 3531
    3. NOAA Seasonal to Sub-Seasonal Forecasting—
    4. Supporting NHD Plus and other mapping efforts
    5. 2022 Streamgaging support letter—Deliver late-March
  1. Recap of any action items—Randy Hadland may have a contact at Bonneville Power for a future presentation related to climate resiliency.
  1. Next call or webinar—Set after new Executive Director is on board.

Water Data and Science Committee:  Mission is to educate ICWP members on current data and science trends and to advocate support for data and science programs at the national level.

2019/21 Accomplishments:

  • Letter supporting WUDR and requesting USGS analysis
  • USGS Response on WUDR shared with ICWP members
  • Letter of Support of NWIS Modernization to Don Cline (USGS)
  • GOES Support letter to FCC

Priority Issues for 2022 Workplan

  1. USGS Support
    1. Multi-Signature support letter for Streamgaging Programs (annually)
      1. Early spring letter signed by stakeholders
    2. Support for other Water Mission Area Programs i.e. Water Use, Water Availability, NWIS. Monitor progress of estimates from modeling
    3. Support for integration of NHDPlusHR and 3DEP into comprehensive mapping product
  1. Climate/Weather Extremes/Drought
    1. NIDIS/NDRP—Support baseline, firm funding source for US Drought Monitor
    2. Support for expansion of Drought Impacts Reporter
    3. Flash Drought forecasting
  1. Emerging Tools or Trends in Water Data/Science
    1. Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations
    2. National Water Model Priorities -Especially understanding the underlying models and how those could be used by others
    3. Seasonal to Sub-Seasonal Forecasting

Parking Lot–Other items the Committee could expand/continue to follow:

  1. Internet of Water
  2. Data Portals/Data Exchange
  3. Support for NRCS Snow Survey Program
  4. National Fish Habitat Partnership
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