THE NATIONAL HYDROLOGIC MODEL PORTAL

A web-based National Hydrologic Model Portal (NHMP) for the USGS is proposed to address the data and model distribution needs of the hydrologic modeling community. The USGS is a leader in providing watershed modeling expertise, data, and analysis; however, this status is compromised when USGS environmental simulation models do not incorporate the best available data sources, despite being readily available. This situation is particularly frustrating for USGS scientists who are (1) producing data sets which are timely, relevant, and nationwide in scope, and (2) developing and applying simulation models which are used to support sound decision making and further the understanding of the natural world. Techniques which reduce data errors, misinterpretation and (or) misuse, and duplication of effort related to model development must be of the highest priority for the USGS. We propose a National Hydrologic Modeling Structure (NHMS) to support coordinated and robust hydrologic model development and application within the USGS. The NHMS will address: (1) methods which focus on multiple spatial extents and resolutions within a single data structure; (2) support for multiple temporal contexts (historical, current, and future); and (3) a National Hydrologic Model Portal (NHMP). This structure will support cross-Discipline, cross-Center, and cross-office collaboration and long-term archival of model outputs in a simple discoverable and accessible form. The NHMP service will facilitate continental scale studies, such as climate change, ecological impacts, hazard evaluation, and water supply, while also addressing the needs of regional or local scale modeling studies by providing data of consistent coverage and quality. Regardless of scale or resolution, the NHMP will bring scientists together by making the best data available and easy to use in models.