Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2023_AZ_Ruddell

Developing the Next Generation of U.S. Water Accounts: A Water Tower Methodology for Natural Capital Accounting

Institute: Arizona
USGS Grant Number:
Year Established: 2023 Start Date: 2024-01-01 End Date: 2026-12-31
Total Federal Funds: $215,115 Total Non-Federal Funds: $215,115

Principal Investigators: Benjamin Ruddell

Project Summary: Developing the Next Generation of U.S. Water Accounts This project aims to produce a new methodology for national SEEA water accounting through development of a novel national water towers model that links water use to its origin in upstream headwater ecosystems. The researchers will examine basin-scale fresh water and groundwater flows, stocks, inter-basin transfers, and water use vulnerability. This project will produce (1) a spatially disaggregated USGS-derived water use dataset covering CONUS, (2) a CONUS, 800-meter map of water supply from U.S. water towers, and (3) high-resolution SEEA water accounts with sectoral and land cover-based accounts linking water supply and use that highlight socioeconomic vulnerabilities related to the Nation’s water supply. This proposed research will foster significant collaboration between USGS and University researchers. Overall, this research will develop new SEEA water accounting methods that provide essential insights for decision-making and policy for water resource management aiming at more sustainable watershed management in the era of climate change.