River DroughtCast mobile video capture March 17, 2026

River DroughtCast is a new machine learning system that predicts streamflow droughts — specifically “streamflow” droughts when rivers and streams drop to unusually low levels— up to 90 days in advance. Each prediction comes with uncertainty information to help users understand the confidence level of the forecast. This is the first tool of its kind to provide early notice for river and stream conditions that directly affect America's water supplies. 

This animated gif shows an example series of drought status symbols at streamgages for the lower 48 United States by week beginning with current conditions on March 17, 2026 and then for predictions of drought through June 15, 2026.