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Colorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology (ASIST)

January 30, 2023

Introduction

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is initiating a study approach focused on building cross-disciplinary connections to weave together the scientific knowledge related to drought conditions and effects in the Colorado River Basin. The basin is experiencing the worst drought in recorded history, posing unprecedented new challenges in the basin and in areas relying on water from the basin. Science is continually advancing, and there is an increasing need to interpret the connections between studies to predict the effects of drought and other changes affecting the Earth system. The USGS primarily works in independent disciplines and science centers to provide cutting-edge science to advance research and science applications worldwide. The complexity and volume of research that has been conducted related to drought in the Colorado River Basin is difficult to quantify. To complicate matters, studies, models, and datasets are cataloged and may be available in multiple, unrelated locations, across various internal systems, data repositories, and local offices. Furthermore, there are limited interactions and interfaces between scientists and partners working in different science disciplines; in many cases, individual science products require stakeholders to integrate complex interdisciplinary data across geographical and topical extents. The diverse array of interdisciplinary science and science products produced by the USGS highlights the need for a wide ranging collaborative support structure.

Publication Year 2023
Title Colorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology (ASIST)
DOI 10.3133/fs20223016
Authors Katharine G. Dahm, Daniel Jones, Patrick J. Anderson, Meghan C. Dick, Todd Hawbaker, Robert Horton
Publication Type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Series Title Fact Sheet
Series Number 2022-3016
Index ID fs20223016
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Rocky Mountain Region Director’s Office