Water is necessary for all life. Its critical role in both our daily lives and our global world cannot be overstated. In the United States and around the world too much water, too little water, and water of poor quality pose serious risks to property, economies and ecosystems. These threats arise from a variety of complex factors including increased water demand from population growth, human changes to natural and built systems, and the weather and water-related impacts of variability and change. As these water threats continue to intensify, so does the demand for advanced information about, and predictions for, water that can be used to better inform decisions.
The National Water Model: What is it?
The National Weather Service’s Office of Water Prediction and partners are developing the National Water Model as a tool to help serve water prediction needs. The National Water Model is a high resolution hydrologic model that provides estimates of existing conditions and forecasts of key components of the water cycle across the continental United States and Hawaii. The model utilizes meteorological inputs, environmental data, and observations from United States Geological Survey stream gages to simulate observed and forecast streamflow for nearly 5 million miles of rivers and streams.
The information provided by the National Water Model is utilized by the National Weather Service. In addition, a variety of products (i.e., graphics that show a snapshot in time) and services (i.e., visualizations that show changes over a specified period of time) are available to the public online (https://water.noaa.gov/about/nwm).
Why is it Important?
The hydrologic guidance provided by the National Water Model significantly expands geographic coverage while offering higher spatial and temporal resolution than other tools. These features make the model a unique and complementary tool to existing services. Information and visuals from the National Water Model, show how impacts of weather cascade across regions and basins in the continental United States. Guidance provided about how much water can be expected, when and how it will likely flow improves the integrated understanding of U.S. water resources. Further, it enables communities to make more informed decisions about what actions to take, and when, to prepare for and protect their citizens and infrastructure.
For More Information
For more information about the National Water Model and details on how to access the information please refer to this extension publication.
Meet the author
Karen Bareford, Ph.D.
Sea Grant Water Resources Lead
Karen Bareford works with the Alabama Water Institute, the University of Alabama and the National Sea Grant College Program. She provides leadership on water recsource initiatives and efforts... Read more
Phone: 205-348-9719
Email: [email protected]