CONTENTS FEATURE ARTICLES 6 The National Water Model Vision The advent of a new era in hydrology for the United States. By David R. Maidment Beaumont 8 Transforming NOAA Water Prediction: The New National Water Model Houston A new modeling system to improve the spatial and temporal resolution of water predictions for the United States. By Thomas Graziano 10 Perspectives on the National Water Model A roundtable review from five agencies, sharing their involvement and thoughts on the future of NWM forecasts. By Steve Kopp 12 FloodCast: A Framework for Enhanced Flood Event Decision Making for Transportation Resilience Developing a way for emergency responders and other public safety officials to receive instantaneous inundation and water depth data via smart devices. By Mat Mampara 14 Hurricane Harvey and the National Water Model This recent event exemplifies the call to action - why we need the National Water Model. By David R. Maidment 17 Contributions of the Academic Community in Advancing the National Water Model University Summer Institute program engages graduate students in applications of the NWM. By Jerad Bales 19 Turning on the Faucet: Making National Water Model Data Flow How do you turn hundreds of gigabytes of daily output into useable information? By Fernando Salas About the cover: The cover depicts a 24 hour runoff forecast for the peak of hurricane Harvey, which dumped record breaking rainfall on coastal Texas last summer. The wide light blue lines represent the highest flow. More information about how the National Water Model was applied during the hurricane Harvey response can be found on pg 14. OTHER FEATURES Messages 5 President's Message Brenda Bateman, AWRA President Columns 21 The New Economics of Water: Balancing Urban and Agricultural Water Needs on Colorado's Front Range 22 What's Up with Water: United We Stand, Divided We Fall: States Rights and WOTUS Rule AWRA Business 25 International Conference Recap 26 AWRA State Section and Student Chapter News 27 December JAWRA Highlights 28 In Memoriam: Ari Michelsen 29 2018-2019 Richard A. Herbert Memorial Scholarship Opportunities 30 AWRA Board of Directors 2018 Call for Nominations About this issue Issue theme: The National Water Model Guest Editors: Steve Kopp and Sandra Fox What if we could forecast streamflow and floods as we forecast the weather? Know days or weeks in advance how much water will be in a stream? How many lives would be saved? How much property could be protected with advanced notice of impending flood water? Technological advancements made through collaborative efforts led by NOAA have produced the National Water Model. This issue explores the vision, technology and application of this valuable new hydrologic forecasting system. Input from the private sector, governmental agencies and academia are provided. Volume 20 * Number 1 www.awra.org * 3http://www.awra.org