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U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Meet to Discuss Joint Interests

Published Sept. 27, 2013
"USGS Flood Inundation Mapping: Developing a Public-Private Partnership" was one of the subjects at the recent USAGE/USGS quarterly meeting.

"USGS Flood Inundation Mapping: Developing a Public-Private Partnership" was one of the subjects at the recent USAGE/USGS quarterly meeting.

A Flood Inundation Map (FIM) is a real-time, operational tool that visually relates USGS streamgage readings and NWS river forecasts to flood risk for the primary purpose of public safety.

A Flood Inundation Map (FIM) is a real-time, operational tool that visually relates USGS streamgage readings and NWS river forecasts to flood risk for the primary purpose of public safety.

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently participated in a quarterly Joint Headquarters Meeting at the USGS National Center in Reston, Virginia on September 12, 2013 to discuss water resources issues that are of shared concern.

During the recent quarterly meeting, agency representatives discussed topics such as flood inundation mapping, post-Superstorm Sandy activities, and the National Climate Assessment Water Sector Report.

Jerad Bales, USGS Chief Scientist for Hydrology, opened the joint meeting with a welcome. Steve Stockton, Director of Civil Works, presented the USACE overview, including topics such as components of the USACE Civil Works Transformation and the National Streamflow Information Program.  Dr. Bales then provided the USGS overview.

Jerad Bales (USGS) and James Dalton (USACE) led the interagency charter discussion during the meeting, touching on both the System Interoperability and Data Synchronization charter and the National Flood Inundation Mapping charter. USGS, USACE and the National Weather Service (NWS) are parties to both charters. The goal of the System Interoperability and Data Synchronization charter is to create a better means for the three agencies to collaborate and share tools efficiently. 

Bob Hainly (USGS) discussed ongoing efforts to provide flood inundation maps at as many stream gages as possible by involving the private sector in developing the maps. Flood inundation maps are defined as real-time, operational tools that visually relate stream gages and NWS river forecasts for public safety with planning and response purposes.  USGS operates 8,000 gages and NWS provides forecasts for over 4,000 of these gages.  It would take a long time for the Federal agencies to produce the maps for each site. 

Additional USGS and USACE agency representatives presented on various other current topics including the following:

  • Ada Benavides (USACE) presented the Federal Support Toolbox update.
  • Jerad Bales (USGS) presented the National Climate Assessment – Water Sector Report.
  • John Gray (USGS) and Kevin Laurent (USGS) presented the Sedimentation and the Reservoir Sedimentation Database (RESSED) update.
  • Bob Hainly (USGS), Harry Jenter (USGS), and Roselle Henn (USACE) presented an overview for post-Superstorm Sandy activities.
  • Verne Schneider (USGS) and Marcello Salles (USACE) discussed new joint work with the Brazilian Water Agency.
Dr. Rolf Olsen of IWR co-organized the joint meeting. He began a temporary work assignment with USGS in January 2013.