Weather and Society Watch
Highlights

Highlight #1

Water and Society: Integrated Studies of Water Resource Challenges
by Wendy Pearson*

The National Weather Service (NWS) Central Region hosted the first ever Weather and Society Integrated Studies (WAS*IS) workshop focused on hydrology August 25-27, 2009, in Kansas City, Mo. Unlike past WAS*IS workshops, which have focused exclusively on weather, the Water and Society workshop focused on water resource challenges. The workshop brought together 32 social scientists, water resource professionals, and NWS hydrologists seeking to gain new insights into opportunities and solutions to water resource challenges, to align water resource outreach efforts, to strengthen emerging partnerships, and to inspire interdisciplinary collaborations.

A water resource decision makers’ panel discussion led by a drought expert, a representative from a drinking water utility, and an emergency manager opened the conference. Panel members explained their job responsibilities, anticipated future water resources information needs for the next 10 years, and shared ideas on how water resources stakeholders can work together more effectively.

For a majority of the two and a half day workshop, participants worked in large and small group discussions, brainstorming solutions to challenges and identifying opportunities related to effective communication, social media, forecast uncertainty, interdisciplinary studies, and integrated water resources science and services. Workshop activities also included a tour of the Missouri Basin River Forecast Center in Pleasant Hill, Mo., and a tour of the Brush Creek Plaza Mitigation Project, provided by Brian Rast, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Following are a few comments from workshop participants:

“Having a good mix of
partners at this meeting helped better demonstrate the value of using social science techniques.”

“Just learning of the potential resources available to move forward with this endeavor (interdisciplinary collaborations with social scientists) has been invaluable.”

“Definitely got me thinking in new ways!”

“I had no experience with social science and societal impacts. I have many new ideas regarding new projects and collaborations with customers and partners.”

“Learned the comprehensive-ness of water resources and the challenges each agency and partner faces.”

“This was definitely a huge learning experience for me. I learned so much about our partners and how my job ties into the ‘whole group’! As a result, of better understanding my role, I can better contribute to the larger goals at hand.”

Wendy Pearson, hydrologist for NWS Central Region Headquarters, Kevin Low, service coordination hydrologist for the Missouri Basin River Forecast Center, and Steve Buan, service coordination hydrologist for the North Central River Forecast Center, collaborated with Eve Gruntfest, director of the Social Science Woven into Meteorology (SWIMM) initiative at the National Weather Center, to organize the workshop. Seven of the NWS’s 13 new service coordination hydrologists attended this workshop, as well as one hydrologist-in-charge, three service hydrologists, representatives from three NWS regional offices, two social scientists, a representative from the National Hydrologic Warning Council, NWS weather forecasters, and stakeholders.

*Wendy Pearson (Wendy.Pearson@noaa.gov) is a hydrologist for NWS Central Region Headquarters.

Photo credit:

Photo 1: Water and Society workshop participants touring Brush Creek Plaza Mitigation Project, Kansas City, Missouri, on August 26, 2009. (Photo courtesy of Wendy Pearson)