Forecasting water supply and planning for environmental impacts
Climate change impacts all aspects of water resource planning–from groundwater demand to long-term water supply sustainability. In the western United States where we work, climate models are projecting hotter temperatures that are expected to result in prolonged periods of severe drought with more intense storm events.
For drought planning, M&A incorporates climate change projections in water supply and groundwater sustainability evaluations, quantifying the range of future conditions and applying aquifer stress tests from projected drought periods. We estimate water use and assess trends to forecast demand, often working closely with engineering partners. Our assessments can help identify a plan to ensure water sustainability with minimal impacts to the environment. We evaluate historical hydrologic and meteorological conditions and potential changes to assist with water supply forecasting and environmental impact planning. To support planning decisions, we design interactive dashboards that allow users to project water demands and supplies under various scenarios and user-defined input, including climate-induced changes.
Capabilities
- Assessing potential impacts of climate change on the availability and reliability of surface water and groundwater supplies
- Compiling historical hydrologic data and simulating sustainability models to help define action levels
- Developing custom dashboards with demand forecasts to help ensure a sustainable water supply in the face of climate change
