The Pacific Northwest Hydrologic Observatory (PNWHO) will develop, test, and apply a new hydrologic classification system that will greatly improve our ability to forecast water conditions over short- and long-terms by focusing on four key science themes: the behavior and future of “at risk” snow in the Northwest; the behavior of big river systems; the ecologic impacts of changing climate and water regimes; and the sustainability implications of climate, human population growth and land use change on water scarcity.
The PNWHO got underway in mid-2004 in response to a joint effort by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Science (CUAHSI). Their goal is to establish a national network of hydrologic observatories designed to lessen predictive uncertainty by measuring the state, stocks, residence times and flows of water. These observatories are to: assess the sustainability of water resources; link water and biogeochemical cycles; address how water-borne contaminants are transported; improve understanding of hydrologic extremes; and identify links between hydrologic and ecologic systems.
Through numerous stakeholder workshops, the PNWHO design team has defined the basics of Observatory purpose and opportunities and has developed an initial science plan. The PNWHO has been supported by OSU’s Institute for Water and Watersheds as well as the Colleges of Forestry, Agriculture, Engineering, and Science and the OSU Office of Research.
Read more about the PNWHO at: http://pnwho.forestry.oregonstate.edu .
