Advanced
Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS)
for Water Resources and Emergency Management
The National Weather Service
(NWS) is responsible for providing our Nation's flood warnings and
water resource forecasts. These warnings and forecasts are critical
to public safety and the economy.
Significance & Major
Players:
- AHPS incorporates science
and technology improvements.
- AHPS generates visually
oriented, commercially valuable products to satisfy diverse customer
needs such as emergency response, river commerce, flood control,
water supply, hydropower, irrigation, and recreation.
- Major players are the
Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
August 9, 2007ation Service
and other federal, state and local agencies; the National Safety
Council; the insurance industry; and numerous university research
programs.
AHPS fulfills the NWS
Strategic Plan for climate, water, and weather services. AHPS
incorporates improved climate predictions and weather forecasts
to extend 1, 2, and 3 day river forecasts to 14 days and provide
longer outlooks.
Figure
1. Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service
AHPS supports more timely
and effective emergency actions and significantly mitigate the economic
losses from major floods and droughts. AHPS provides better overall
information for use in managing competing water demands for irrigation,
fisheries, hydropower and other purposes. National implementation
of AHPS will save lives with at least $240 million per year in reduced
flood losses and an additional $525 million per year in economic
benefits to water resource users (2000 Draft Report, National
Hydrologic Warning Council).
Figure
2. Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service provides many benefits.
Visit the Advanced
Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS) website for more information,
including an online video in 4 and 20 minute formats.
(Click here
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