Harnessing the Power of Water Data

A single map can change the course of a life. For me, it happened in the mid-1990s while staring at a National Geographic map simply labeled “Water.” At a moment of personal uncertainty, that map sparked a realization: I understood maps, and I was fascinated by water. That intersection led me toward hydrology and geography—fields that continue to shape how I see the world.

The phrase may sound overused, but it remains fundamentally true: water sustains life. Earth’s oceans, which once gave rise to living organisms, continue to regulate the planet today. By absorbing vast amounts of carbon dioxide, the oceans help stabilize Earth’s climate. Without them, our planet might resemble Venus—overheated, hostile, and lifeless.

Because water connects climate, ecosystems, economies, and human survival, geospatial technologies play an essential role in managing it. From rivers to reservoirs, snowpack to aquifers, spatial data allows us to see patterns, measure change, and make informed decisions. The applications are as expansive as the ocean and as dynamic as flowing rivers.

Drought in the Western United States

Across the western United States, drought conditions have reached historic extremes. Mountain snowpack has declined sharply, while average temperatures continue to climb. Longer growing seasons may seem beneficial for agriculture, but reduced water availability offsets those gains. At the same time, wildfire seasons have expanded, producing larger and more destructive fires. In some regions, ash has become as common as rain.

Despite long-standing conflicts over water rights—often summarized by the saying that “whiskey is for drinking, water is for fighting”—the current crisis has encouraged collaboration. Government agencies, farmers, tribal nations, conservation groups, and water districts increasingly recognize the same reality: demand exceeds supply.

Addressing this imbalance requires efficient water use and equitable allocation. For those seeking deeper insight into the political, environmental, and social dimensions of western water management, investigative journalism outlets such as High Country News provide valuable context. Their reporting frequently integrates maps, spatial analysis, and infographics, including detailed examinations of contamination and flooding in places like northern Idaho’s Coeur d’Alene region.

Managing Water Infrastructure with GIS

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation plays a central role in western water management. As the nation’s largest water wholesaler and a major producer of hydroelectric power, the bureau oversees hundreds of dams and dozens of power plants across 17 states. Geographic information systems have become integral to its operations, supporting everything from infrastructure maintenance to environmental monitoring.

In regions such as the Lower Colorado Basin, GIS supports diverse initiatives. These include mapping historical river channels using lidar and archival maps, coordinating water deliveries, and managing ecological programs like the Multi-Species Conservation Program. Spatial data helps the bureau understand not only where water flows, but how those flows affect ecosystems and communities upstream and downstream.

Looking Below the Surface

As surface water supplies become less reliable, groundwater extraction has intensified. Unlike rivers and reservoirs, groundwater is governed inconsistently. In the United States, surface water is tightly regulated, while groundwater laws vary widely by state. Internationally, oversight is even more limited.

California illustrates both the challenge and the response. Agriculture dominates the state’s economy and depends heavily on reliable water access. The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act established a framework for oversight, but enforcement and implementation are handled locally. To support these efforts, the state’s Department of Water Resources provides accessible databases, interactive maps, and downloadable datasets that assist planners and stakeholders.

Globally, monitoring groundwater presents technical challenges, but satellite technology has opened new possibilities. Several NASA missions track subsurface water, sea level rise, and broader climate-related changes.

One such mission, Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP), launched in 2015 to measure soil moisture using radar and radiometry. Although the radar system failed, the radiometer continues to deliver valuable data, albeit at reduced resolution.

Another mission, GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment), was originally designed to study Earth’s gravity field. Scientists later discovered that subtle gravitational changes could reveal shifts in groundwater storage. GRACE demonstrates how geospatial technologies can find new purposes over time—much like GPS evolved from a military system into a tool embedded in daily life.

Data as the Foundation

Effective water management always begins with data. For those seeking open-access hydrological datasets, the U.S. Geological Survey maintains the National Hydrography Database, which includes both downloadable files and web-based map services.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration also provides an extensive GeoPlatform featuring cloud-hosted datasets, interactive maps, and applications. Topics range from weather forecasting and storm surge modeling to marine debris tracking and hurricane path visualization. Some tools even allow users to explore hurricane tracks by year, name, or location.

While national datasets are well validated, they may lack the resolution required for local projects. Fortunately, new data can be created in many ways. Citizen scientists can map nearby streams using GPS devices, while large-scale projects may span decades. A striking example is the bathymetric mapping of Oregon’s Crater Lake. Early surveys in the late 19th century used piano wire and rowboats to collect depth measurements. When those historical soundings were later digitized and interpolated, the results closely matched modern sonar-based maps—often within ten meters. Even analog methods can yield impressive accuracy.

Modern GIS tools further support hydrological analysis. Software packages such as QGIS and Arc Hydro include workflows for delineating streams and watersheds from elevation data. While these processes can be repetitive and sensitive to data quality, they offer hands-on insight into how water moves across landscapes.

Teaching Water Through Maps

Water data also provides powerful opportunities for education. With publicly available datasets or basic GPS equipment, students can explore real-world hydrology in both classrooms and field settings. Simple exercises might involve calculating stream density within watersheds, while more advanced projects can analyze where roads intersect waterways.

Educators and students alike can find inspiration through online resources and teaching channels that focus on geospatial thinking. Mapping water encourages patience, reflection, and an appreciation for natural systems—qualities echoed in literature as much as science. As one classic novel suggests, contemplation and water are inseparable. And, as a certain bear once observed, rivers remind us that progress does not require haste.

Through data, maps, and thoughtful analysis, we gain not only technical understanding, but also a deeper respect for the resource that sustains us all.