2014 Executive Summary

Transcription

1 2014 Executive Summary

2 2 We forget that the water cycle and the life cycle are one. Jacques-Yves Cousteau Photo by Peter W. Cross Water makes headlines when there s too little or too much. Persistent droughts throughout the Great Plains and the West, and flooding from Hurricane Sandy are dramatic examples of the power water has over our economy, safety and public health. Beyond the headlines, it s the long-term, ongoing management of this precious resource that s a critical issue facing our nation and the world in the 21st century. The National Institutes for Water Resources (NIWR) plays a major role in addressing waterrelated concerns by providing a national platform for research, training and collaboration at the state level. Housed in the nation s land-grant universities, the 54 NIWR member institutes leverage university expertise in the fields of engineering, chemistry, law, agriculture, social sciences and public health toward solutions to the challenges of our finite water supply. OVERVIEW

3 NIWR promotes water-related research, education and technology transfer at the national, state and local levels. There are 54 member institutes, one in each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. NIWR represents the Water Resources Research Institutes, which were established 50 years ago under provisions of the Water Resource Research Act of The act authorized a state-based network of institutes dedicated to solving problems of water supply and water quality in partnership with universities, local governments and the general public. The NIWR network is the only federally mandated research program that focuses on applied water resource research, education, training and outreach. Each institute works in consultation with state and local agencies, leading experts in higher education and private industry, stakeholders, and the general public to determine its research agenda. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) supports each institute with funding that targets local priorities, helps train and recruit researchers, and aids in the transfer of technology and best practices. 3 Photo by Gerry Slabaugh Photo by Bill Stafford Photo by Clint Losee Photo by Wisconsin DNR 2014 Executive Summary

4 4 Photo by Judy Baxter NIWR is established under provisions of the Water Resources Research Act (42 USC 10301) and was most recently reauthorized by Congress in Public Law The law authorizes base funding grants for each institute, as well as national competitive grants for projects of regional or national significance. Congress appropriated $6.5 million for the Water Resources Research Act program in FY The Water Resources Research Institutes are required to match federal support with non-federal dollars at a ratio of 2-to-1. Using base funding grants from the USGS, NIWR member institutes leverage funds at a rate that exceeds 16-to-1. In fact, the water institutes program is one of the most cost-effective, cost-shared national research programs, with the federal-to-non-federal funding ratio far outpacing other federal science programs, including the National Science Foundation. The majority of the Water Resources Research Institute funds are used directly to support students and the researchers who educate them. This makes the program one of the most effective mechanisms to train the next generation of our nation s water resource professionals. The Water Resources Research Act program is administered by the USGS under the general guidance of the Secretary of the Interior. The U.S. Department of the Interior evaluates each institute every three years. Most institutes have an advisory panel comprised of state water experts that guides the institute s priorities and oversees outreach goals. FUNDING & Accountability

5 Revenue Sources expenditures % 1% 52% 6% 39% WRRA 104b WRRA 104g WRRA 104s Other Federal Non-Federal 23% 16% 13% Student Support Personnel Support Capital Equipment Other Expenses Facilities and Administration 5 47% 1% student training % 22% 40% Undergraduate Master s Ph.D. Post-doctoral 32% categories of training % 5% 4% 13% 15% 31% Engineering Physical Sciences Biological Sciences Natural Resources & Agricultural Sciences Social Sciences Other NIWR-USGS Partnership NIWR member institutes have a unique and important tie to the USGS, which finances NIWR programs through parts 104B and 104G of the Water Resources Research Act. While NIWR s projects are regionally focused, the knowledge base gained from the institutes research plays a critical role in USGS meeting its national goals of: increasing our knowledge of water quality and quantity, improving our understanding of water availability, evaluating how climate, hydrologic and landscape changes influence water resources, delivering decision-making tools that support water management, and improving the country s response to waterrelated emergencies. The institute-funded research projects address state and local priorities, which also have a nexus to the USGS water goals. The institutes play a critical role in furthering the USGS water mission and increasing our understanding at a regional, state and local level, which influences our knowledge base nationally.

6 6 Photo by Jane Nearing Last year, more than 50 percent of the water institutes revenue was from local, state, private sector, foundation and federal agency grants. NIWR member institutes had more than 700 significant collaborations or partnerships with universities, state and federal agencies, local and municipal offices, non-profits and foundations. The institutes assist these organizations in their mission to protect human health, environmental resources and economic sustainability in three key areas: research, education, and technology transfer and public engagement. Research NIWR member institutes collaborated or participated in more than 1,200 groundbreaking research projects last year, ranging from water supply to water quality to public policy issues of water management. Many grants are awarded by NIWR through a competitive, peer-review process. In 2012, two-thirds of the 104B funding directly supported water research, one-sixth was for information transfer capacity and the remainder was used for program administration. IMPACT & COLLABORATION

7 Solving Water Challenges CALIFORNIA Photo by Doug Parker Understanding irrigation efficiencies to conserve water Irrigation efficiency is a critical component in water conservation strategies as climate continues to change. California researchers are collecting data on transpiration ratios, local weather conditions, and surface soil retention and evaporation rates to identify trends that can be used to adjust irrigation methods for specific crop needs. Understanding these trends helps quantify the amount of water used, on which crops water was used, and where those crops were located. Researchers are analyzing nearly 40 years worth of irrigation survey data to help them determine the efficiency of irrigation methods over space and time, as irrigation efficiency can vary widely due to wind, temperature and sprinkler type. Addressing that uncertainty will help identify methods that have an increased variable efficiency and the locations where efficiencies differ the most. 7 Solving Water Challenges KENTUCKY Measuring sediment discharge goes digital Researchers in Kentucky are benefitting from technological advances that continue to make electronic equipment smaller and more cost effective to use when collecting important data. In this case, they developed low-cost wireless electronic sensors, which are placed in the middle of rivers and streams to measure the amount of sediment discharge in the water. This is done by monitoring water velocity and light attenuation. To measure water velocity, the researchers used inexpensive pressure sensors, or velocity bend sensors, which act as strain gages. Higher water velocity creates more bend, which is then measured and calculated. The sediment sensors use a vertical array of lightdependent resistors to measure light intensity and calculate attenuation by suspended sediment in the water. The results show that sensor output can be used to make reasonably accurate estimates of water velocity and sediment concentration.

8 8 Photo by Jim Ringelman Education Located at major U.S. research universities, the NIWR member institutes are the nation s single largest training program for the next generation of water scientists, technicians and engineers. Last year, NIWR institutes provided research support for more than 1,400 undergraduate and graduate students at more than 150 universities. Students study waterrelated issues in the fields of agriculture, biology, chemistry, earth sciences, engineering and public policy. Institute-sponsored students receive training in both the classroom and the field, often working shoulder-to-shoulder with the top research scientists in their field on vanguard projects of significant regional importance. Technology Transfer & Public Engagement NIWR member institutes play a vital role in sharing and disseminating cutting-edge research and best practices. Most institutes host conferences and workshops throughout the year that bring together leaders and students in water-related fields. They also produce region-specific electronic and print communications on current trends and research breakthroughs, and offer opportunities for the public to engage in water-related volunteer activities. IMPACT & COLLABORATION

9 Solving Water Challenges NEVADA Increasing water savings by defoliating tamarisk Tamarisk species are among the most successful invasive species in the western United States, but those high success rates come with a price: soil degradation, high water use and the loss of biodiversity. The Virgin River watershed in Nevada is dominated by thick tamarisk stands and has been undergoing biological control studies since 2004 using saltcedar leaf beetles. Researchers are now studying tamarisk defoliation as it relates to increased water savings for Lake Mead (the Virgin River empties into Lake Mead). The research focuses on quantifying evapotranspiration before and after the saltcedar leaf beetles eat the tamarisk foliage. Researchers think that the difference may contribute to a net savings of water along the Virgin River. The study will provide insight into the watersaving potential of restoring native habitat, not only for the Virgin River watershed but also for the lower Colorado River and other riparian systems infested by tamarisk. 9 Solving Water Challenges OKLAHOMA Using technology to battle droughts Oklahoma is more concerned today about its water resources than ever before. Having just endured almost three years of historic drought that resulted in billions of dollars in agricultural losses and faced with predictions of more dry years, agricultural producers are looking for help to manage crops and livestock. In 2010, a team of researchers from Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma started enhancing the capabilities of the Oklahoma Mesonet to provide real-time drought information. The Mesonet is a statewide system of 120 environmental monitoring stations that report data online from soil moisture sensors buried at several depths. The team characterized soil at each station and developed maps that are updated daily to show the amount of water that s available to plant roots. The team may also use the soil data to monitor groundwater recharge and display recharge estimates online as well. Both projects contribute to a better understanding of water resources in Oklahoma and are expected to contribute to the development of a sophisticated statewide water budget.

10 10 Photo by Joshua Davis The Importance of federal funding Federal funding of NIWR member institutes through the Water Resources Research Act supports information dissemination, technology transfer and education initiatives that help policymakers across the nation remain on the cutting edge of water-related issues and advancements. It also ensures a national network among states and between state s land-grant universities and other research institutes by linking water investigations, preventing duplication and ensuring that critical topics are addressed. At the state level, federal funding is critical to an institute s leadership and its ability to leverage non-federal funds within its home state. WATER IS LIFE

11 protecting a precious resource Floods, droughts and other natural and human-induced disasters like the persistent and severe drought throughout the West remind us of how precious our waters are to our environment, our health and our way of life. With ever-growing populations and increasing pressure on our nation s water supply, the 21st century will be marked by how well we manage and plan for the sustained use of our water resources. 11 NIWR plays a critical role in preserving the nation s water resources by ensuring regional and state water priorities are addressed through cutting-edge research, by serving as a collaborative platform for scientists, policymakers and stockholders, and by training the next generation of experts to ensure our nation s waters remain pure and plentiful Executive Summary

12 President Brian Haggard Arkansas Water Resources Center 203 Engineering Hall, Fayetteville, Arkansas Cover photo: Graduate students and their research advisor survey stream conditions as part of a basin monitoring and modeling research project. Photo by Bill Cotton The National Institutes for Water Resources is a 501(c)4 organization dedicated to providing representation for the State Water Research Institutes in collective activities to implement the provisions of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984.