About Water Year Web App

Data Sources

SNOTEL (Snow Telemetry) Data

The snowpack and water equivalent data displayed in this application comes from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) SNOTEL network.

  • NRCS SNOTEL Network: A comprehensive system of automated data collection sites that measure snow water equivalent, snow depth, precipitation, and temperature in the western United States.
  • Data Collection: SNOTEL sites use pressure-sensing snow pillows to measure snow water equivalent and other sensors to collect meteorological data.
  • Coverage: The network covers mountainous areas across the western states, providing critical data for water supply forecasting and resource management.

Reservoir Data

Bureau of Reclamation (BOR)

Reservoir storage and capacity information is sourced from the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), which manages water resources in the western United States.

  • Reservoir Monitoring: BOR tracks water levels, storage capacity, and release rates for major reservoirs across the western states.
  • Data Updates: Reservoir data is updated regularly to provide current information on water storage conditions.
  • Historical Data: Long-term reservoir data helps track trends and seasonal patterns in water storage.

Weather Data

National Weather Service (NWS)

Local weather forecasts are provided by the National Weather Service (NWS)through their public API.

  • Forecast Data: Current weather conditions and short-term forecasts for user locations.
  • Location Services: IP-based location detection to provide relevant local weather information.

Data Processing

This application processes and visualizes water year data through:

  • Real-time Updates: Data is refreshed every 3 minutes (180 seconds) to ensure current information.
  • Interactive Visualizations: Snowpack percentages, water totals, and reservoir levels are displayed using interactive charts and graphs.
  • State-level Aggregation: Data is organized by state to provide regional water resource overviews.

Technical Information

  • Built with: Next.js and Tailwind CSS
  • Hosted on: AWS Amplify
  • Data API: Custom API service at api.wateryear.info
  • Data Revalidation: 180-second intervals for fresh data

Additional Resources

For more information about the data sources used in this application: