NOAA opens $24.5 million National Water Center in Alabama

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May 26, 2015

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) opened its new National Water Center on The University of Alabama campus on May 26. The Center will streamline national water forecasting by increasing the water monitoring network from 4,000 to 2.7 million monitoring locations under the Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service and encouraging interagency collaboration.

Partnering with researchers at the University, the Center will provide sophisticated computer models for both the public and the research community. It will offer a comprehensive approach to examining water resources: observing how drought affects groundwater flow and how storm surges and heavy rains affect rivers, streams, coasts, and lakes.

The Center will also offer a new mechanism for collaborative efforts between federal agencies and academia. The Center’s goals align with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Integrated Water Resources Science and Services, which aims to enhance water-related planning and preparedness communication among USACE, NOAA, and the U.S. Geological Survey. Future programs will expand the Center’s purview to water quality work with the EPA.

Sources: E&E News, NOAA News, USACE

Updated: June 8, 2015