Water Conversations

Overview

Water, whether too much, too little, or of poor quality, plays a pivotal role in our health, safety, environment, and economic security. For years, NOAA and its partners have addressed this challenge by supplying data, tools, and services for different risks to different communities.

The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) supported the NOAA Sponsored in-depth conversations on water, entitled "U.S. Water Information in the 21st Century: A Conversation on Integrated Information and Services" with Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator.

Three meetings took place

Tuscaloosa, Alabama
May 18-19, 2016
 
Sacramento, California
May 25-26, 2016
 
Washington, D.C.
July 12-14, 2016
 

The intent of these meetings was to initiate a broader national conversation among key stakeholders about what steps can be taken to develop and deliver more robust and integrated water‐related data, information, and prediction services that will help communities and businesses manage risk and plan for the future.

Invitations were extended to key stakeholders from federal, state, and local governments, water resource and emergency, coastal, and floodplain managers, businesses, and other users affected by the nation’s growing water crisis. Given the growing severity of water challenges facing the nation, participation in these conversations was critical for success.

Agenda

Integrated Challenge Armchair Discussions

  • Drought and Water Availability Discussion
  • Flood Discussion
  • Water Quality Discussion

 

Afternoon Breakout Sessions focusing on:

  • Initiating a broader national conversation among key stakeholders about what steps can be taken to develop and deliver more robust and more integrated water-related data, information, and prediction services that will help communities and businesses manage risk and plan for the future.
  • Informing strategic planning for the NOAA Water Initiative, centered on integrated water prediction and the development of a new National Water Model at the National Water Center.

 

High level report outs

Report Outs and Summary of Day 1

Federal Interagency Partner Lightning Round

NOAA Presentation on National Water Center and National Water Model

Next Steps

Call to Action