This animation highlights the USGS Integrated Water Availability Assessments (IWAAs) Program’s evolving capacity to estimate water availability at a national scale by visualizing daily estimates of natural water storage (water present on the landscape such as standing water, snowpack, soil water, and shallow groundwater) for approximately 110,000 regions across the
National Integrated Water Availability Assessments Concept Map
Daily estimates of natural water storage for approximately 110,000 regions across the conterminous United States
The USGS is conducting a pilot study in the Delaware River Basin to support development of National and Regional Integrated Water Availability Assessments (IWAAs). The Delaware River Basin Pilot will be conducted with state and local partners with the support of USGS Cooperative Program Matching Funds and will focus on improving the data, tools, and information stakeholders need to make water-resource management decisions.
Delaware River Basin Pilot
USGS is working with basin stakeholders on the potential impacts of the drought of record under current supply and demand conditions. This workplan integrates four cooperative studies.
Development of model to predict daily water use for public supply
This study will develop a predictive model for daily public supply withdrawals in a subbasin of the DRB, output will be compared to disaggregated monthly data to assess model performance. This effort will support development of a National model to estimate daily withdrawals for public supply as part of the Water Budget Estimation and Evaluation Project (WBEEP).
Indentifying spatial and temporal driver to predict drought in the Delaware River Basin
This study will focus on improving predictions of streamflow during periods of drought within the DRB. Multiple factors in both space and time affect streamflow in the basin, and these factors will be evaluated to develop optimal models of streamflow under periods of drought, such as the drought of record in the mid-1960’s.
Simulation of water quality in tributaries to the Delaware Estuary
This study will develop watershed models of four large tributaries to the Delaware River Estuary: Crosswicks, Rancocas, Pennsauken, and Raccoon Creeks. The tributary models will assess water quality impairments and evaluate nutrient reduction scenarios. Additionally, this project will help inform the process with which we will incorporate water-quality into national and regional IWAAs.
Evaluation of national models to inform local water management
This study is designed to research the veracity and limitations of the full range of predicted flows for water supply availability within highly regulated basins of New Jersey. Performance of National extent models, such as the National Hydrologic Model, will be evaluated against existing DRB surface water models. This pilot will help to inform ongoing development of the National IWAAs as well as water prediction through the Water Prediction Work Program (2WP).
Related Science
Integrated Water Availability Assessments
Next Generation Water Observing System: Delaware River Basin
Pennsylvania and the Delaware River Basin
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
This animation highlights the USGS Integrated Water Availability Assessments (IWAAs) Program’s evolving capacity to estimate water availability at a national scale by visualizing daily estimates of natural water storage (water present on the landscape such as standing water, snowpack, soil water, and shallow groundwater) for approximately 110,000 regions across the
Publications
Hydro-climatic drought in the Delaware River Basin
Water priorities for the Nation—USGS Integrated Water Science basins
Prioritizing river basins for intensive monitoring and assessment by the US Geological Survey
Estimated use of water in the Delaware River Basin in Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, 2010
Estimated ground-water availability in the Delaware River basin, 1997-2000
Water budgets for selected watersheds in the Delaware River basin, eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey
Hydrologic aspects of the 1998-99 drought in the Delaware River basin
Sensitivity of water resources in the Delaware River basin to climate variability and change
Water resources of the Delaware River basin
News
The USGS is conducting a pilot study in the Delaware River Basin to support development of National and Regional Integrated Water Availability Assessments (IWAAs). The Delaware River Basin Pilot will be conducted with state and local partners with the support of USGS Cooperative Program Matching Funds and will focus on improving the data, tools, and information stakeholders need to make water-resource management decisions.
Delaware River Basin Pilot
USGS is working with basin stakeholders on the potential impacts of the drought of record under current supply and demand conditions. This workplan integrates four cooperative studies.
Development of model to predict daily water use for public supply
This study will develop a predictive model for daily public supply withdrawals in a subbasin of the DRB, output will be compared to disaggregated monthly data to assess model performance. This effort will support development of a National model to estimate daily withdrawals for public supply as part of the Water Budget Estimation and Evaluation Project (WBEEP).
Indentifying spatial and temporal driver to predict drought in the Delaware River Basin
This study will focus on improving predictions of streamflow during periods of drought within the DRB. Multiple factors in both space and time affect streamflow in the basin, and these factors will be evaluated to develop optimal models of streamflow under periods of drought, such as the drought of record in the mid-1960’s.
Simulation of water quality in tributaries to the Delaware Estuary
This study will develop watershed models of four large tributaries to the Delaware River Estuary: Crosswicks, Rancocas, Pennsauken, and Raccoon Creeks. The tributary models will assess water quality impairments and evaluate nutrient reduction scenarios. Additionally, this project will help inform the process with which we will incorporate water-quality into national and regional IWAAs.
Evaluation of national models to inform local water management
This study is designed to research the veracity and limitations of the full range of predicted flows for water supply availability within highly regulated basins of New Jersey. Performance of National extent models, such as the National Hydrologic Model, will be evaluated against existing DRB surface water models. This pilot will help to inform ongoing development of the National IWAAs as well as water prediction through the Water Prediction Work Program (2WP).
Related Science
Integrated Water Availability Assessments
Next Generation Water Observing System: Delaware River Basin
Pennsylvania and the Delaware River Basin
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
This animation highlights the USGS Integrated Water Availability Assessments (IWAAs) Program’s evolving capacity to estimate water availability at a national scale by visualizing daily estimates of natural water storage (water present on the landscape such as standing water, snowpack, soil water, and shallow groundwater) for approximately 110,000 regions across the
This animation highlights the USGS Integrated Water Availability Assessments (IWAAs) Program’s evolving capacity to estimate water availability at a national scale by visualizing daily estimates of natural water storage (water present on the landscape such as standing water, snowpack, soil water, and shallow groundwater) for approximately 110,000 regions across the
Publications
Hydro-climatic drought in the Delaware River Basin
Water priorities for the Nation—USGS Integrated Water Science basins
Prioritizing river basins for intensive monitoring and assessment by the US Geological Survey
Estimated use of water in the Delaware River Basin in Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, 2010
Estimated ground-water availability in the Delaware River basin, 1997-2000
Water budgets for selected watersheds in the Delaware River basin, eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey
Hydrologic aspects of the 1998-99 drought in the Delaware River basin
Sensitivity of water resources in the Delaware River basin to climate variability and change
Water resources of the Delaware River basin
News