NOAA’s NWS and the USGS: Partnering to Meet America’s Water Information Needs Dr. Thomas Graziano Acting Chief, Hydrologic Services Division Office of Climate, Water and Weather NOAA’s National Weather Service March 24, 2005

Long History of Collaboration NOAA and USGS held their 114 th coordination meeting on 28 April 2005 NOAA and USGS held their 114 th coordination meeting on 28 April 2005 First interagency coordination meeting over 30 years ago First interagency coordination meeting over 30 years ago NOAA values partnership and appreciates the USGS’ long history of responsiveness and professionalism NOAA values partnership and appreciates the USGS’ long history of responsiveness and professionalism

Complementary Missions In April 2004 The Weather Channel first aired “Water’s Fury,” which highlighted the socioeconomic impacts of floods, NOAA NWS’ mission, partnerships, and services In April 2004 The Weather Channel first aired “Water’s Fury,” which highlighted the socioeconomic impacts of floods, NOAA NWS’ mission, partnerships, and services Dave Reed, the Hydrologist in Charge at the Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center highlighted the significance of USGS data Dave Reed, the Hydrologist in Charge at the Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center highlighted the significance of USGS data USGS provides stream gage data and NOAA’s NWS issues forecasts and warnings

Serving America Together Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) Flood Forecast and Warning System Implemented in 1986 Implemented in 1986 Partnership includes NOAA’s NWS, USGS, Partnership includes NOAA’s NWS, USGS,USACE Estimated to annually prevent $20 in Estimated to annually prevent $20 in damages for every dollar invested NWS issues daily river forecasts and flood warnings NWS issues daily river forecasts and flood warnings USGS maintains network of stream gages, precipitation gages, and data transmission equipment that provide weather and water information to the NWS USGS maintains network of stream gages, precipitation gages, and data transmission equipment that provide weather and water information to the NWS

Serving America Together New Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS) Products rely on USGS data

Serving America Together USGS Stream gage observations serve as foundation for NWS river forecasts and warnings

Hurricane Floyd September 1999 AHPS Flood Forecast Inundation Graphics Partnership between NOAA, USGS, State of NC Floodplain Mapping Program Office, and FEMA USGS provided stream gage observations, cross sections, and rating curves needed to calibrate models

Continuous monitoring of rainfall with comparison to flash flood guidance for high resolution stream basins Continuous monitoring of rainfall with comparison to flash flood guidance for high resolution stream basins Basin data set developed by NOAA in collaboration with USGS Basin data set developed by NOAA in collaboration with USGS Alerts forecasters when a dangerous flash flood situation may be developing Alerts forecasters when a dangerous flash flood situation may be developing AHPS Flash Flood Decision Assistance Flash Flood Monitoring and Prediction (FFMP)

Debris Flow Forecasting National capability to routinely issue debris flow watches and warningsNational capability to routinely issue debris flow watches and warnings Increasing risk to life and property because of debris flowsIncreasing risk to life and property because of debris flows Prototype for Southern California planned for Winter Prototype for Southern California planned for Winter Precipitation Analysis Precipitation Analysis Precipitation and Soil Moisture Forecasts Precipitation and Soil Moisture Forecasts Debris Flow Guidance Debris Flow Guidance Service Delivery Service Delivery NOAA - USGS Partnership

NOAA’s Water Resources Initiative Water Forecasts: Where you are and when you need them Increased Reliance on USGS Data and Science Working Together: NOAA, USGS, other Federal Agencies, State Agencies, Local Agencies, Private Sector, Academia Snowpack Snowpack Precipitation Precipitation Soil moisture Soil moisture River flow River flow Ground water Ground water Rio Grande DevelopedShrubs/GrassAgricultureWetlands Forecast Basin Forecast Point Urban Area Water Predictions for Life Decisions Flood warnings for Flood warnings for local communities local communities Critical information for Critical information for neighborhoods neighborhoods and watersheds and watersheds Water volume and soil Water volume and soil condition forecasts condition forecasts