About the National Water Resources Outlook
NWS Product Survey
Experimental Product Description
Predictions of water in the west are important for making decisions on water management, recreation, and natural hazards. The tool set provided in this suite of applications provides access to National Weather Service predictions and historical data to assist in making these important decisions. Tools include a map interface that allows a big picture perspective of water in the western United Stated, forecast analysis tools that allow users to download and/or interact with current and recent forecasts, as well as forecast verification tools to assess the long term skill of forecasts both qualitatively and quantitatively. These tools are a product of the National Weather Service. Comments and feedback including requests for additional capabilities is always welcome.
Note: "Observed" streamflow for the NWS water supply forecast program refers to an estimate of the streamflow that would be observed if no reservoirs or diversions were present. Typically the NWS estimates this "observed" streamflow based on known changes to reservoir storage and diversions. The relationship between observable hydrologic parameters (e.g., precipitation, snowpack, terrain, etc.) and natural runoff is predictable and well-defined; the same cannot be said for regulated (or managed) runoff. Often inverse nature between regulation and flow, inclusion of assumed water management activities in forecasts tends to conceal and dilute the hydrologic information. Specific diversions and reservoirs accounted for in the calculation of "observed" streamflow are available upon request.