U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological SurveyU.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Future Challenges

The Initial Workshop on USGS/FWS Future Challenges

Summary of Breakout Session - Water Resources

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Goal

To advance the science needed to predict the ecological outcomes and manage the risks of a broad suite of water management options

• Examples include changing flow regulation, dam removal, channel modification, water development and riparian vegetation management.

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Major Challenges

• Increasing competition for water resources

• Define the hydrological requirements for ecosystems

• Information to the public for decision making

• Recognize: we work in a social context and we need to communicate our message to the public

• Setting up the infrastructure & systems for prioritizing applications of new science

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Major Challenges

• Building capacity and communications to advance the science to meet the new paradigm

– Large scale

– Whole hydrograph

– Dynamic channel

– Surface water AND groundwater

– Community

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Short Term Actions

• USGS working w/NCTC Training Program

• Develop bi-lateral program– In budget in both agencies, commitment at HQ, dual

decision making, clear objectives, integrated approach

• Cross-fertilization between our organizations

• Starting Point: focus on a few areas on the landscape where there would be transfer value

• Leverage the advances in technology - data collection, storage, and analysis

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Partnerships

• EPA

• ACE

• BOR

• NGOs- Scientific Societies, Advocacy, Universities

• NRCS

• Watershed Councils

• Local water management districts

• State resource agencies

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Pearls of Wisdom

• Sustain and support integrated monitoring

• We talk about water in the broadest sense

• Groundwater and surface water are an integrated system

• The Fish is at the table!

• USGS needs to be at the table earlier and longer

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Long Term Actions

• Develop information to support model development

• Model development and integration– Predictive models

– Application