Project Grant 2103401

This $420,167 National Science Foundation project grant funds research at the University of Virginia to develop integrated drought management policies for the Upper Colorado River Basin. The goal is to evaluate potential economic, environmental and social impacts of droughts under current water management practices versus forecast-informed coordination of water markets and critical infrastructure operations.

The research team will analyze impacts using regression models and develop an optimization framework to condition reservoir operations and water market transactions on seasonal climate forecasts. They aim to identify alternative drought policies that stakeholders could consider implementing to more sustainably adapt to changing drought extremes. The University of Virginia will work with agricultural and urban stakeholders throughout the project to facilitate translating research findings into practice.

This award supports the National Science Foundation Engineering Directorate's mission to foster innovation and excellence in engineering research. It addresses the program's priority area of improving quality of life and economic strength through engineering solutions to water resource challenges exacerbated by climate change.