Data Standards for Water Flow

Better flood prediction for the U.S. is arriving thanks largely to new data standards. Modeling previously done by 13 regions using their own approaches is now being integrated into a single, comprehensive model of the continent. Now the relevant agencies can estimate the flow of water through 2.7 million stream segments, each about 2 miles long, across the entire continental U.S. with forecasts updated every hour of every day.

This is another good example of how data standards can transform the way we manage our resources and safeguard our communities. The new data stream will also be useful to the insurance industry.   Data standards like these represent big, doable wins for government. They also act as stimulants and exemplars for people in other complex domains who have yet to remove their own barriers to data flow.    OGC