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Standing Committee

Water Science and Technology Board

The Water Science and Technology Board (WSTB) serves as the focal point for studies related to water resources at the National Academies. The board works to improve the scientific and technological foundation for addressing national- and regional-level questions and issues associated with efficient management, development, and use of water resources in natural and engineered environments. The interests of WSTB include scientific, engineering, economic, institutional, legal, and social aspects of water resources.

In progress

News and Updates

As Everglades Restoration Projects Advance, Defining Success and Assessing Outcomes Require New Approaches, Says National Academies Review

News Release

An 11th biennial review by the National Academies examines the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan’s progress and recommends ways to strengthen scientific monitoring, modeling, data analysis, and management approaches to better evaluate restoration outcomes and inform future decisions.

Oct 22, 2026
custom photo for the cover of Progress Toward Restoring the Everglades: The Eleventh Biennial Review - 2026

U.S. Needs New Drought Assessment Framework as Droughts Become More Severe and Unpredictable

News Release

As droughts in the United States become more frequent and longer-lasting, new assessment tools are needed. A new National Academies report examines how the field of drought assessment can better account for shifting drought conditions and proposes a framework to support drought monitoring, planning, and decision-making to meet future challenges.

Jun 30, 2026
Low water levels at Oroville Lake during a drought in Oroville, California

New Technologies and Approaches Needed to Shore Up Interconnected U.S. Energy and Water Systems, Says New Report

News Release

As demands on the nation’s deeply interconnected energy and water systems grow, potential disruptions can have far-reaching consequences for communities, the economy, and national security. A new National Academies report examines how the systems’ interdependencies create both risks and opportunities and how collaborative, coordinated approaches can strengthen resilience and reliability.

May 19, 2026
Tom Miller Dam, Lake Austin, Colorado River, Austin Texas. Lake Austin (formerly Lake McDonald) is a water reservoir on the Colorado River in Austin, Texas. The reservoir was formed in 1939 by the construction of Tom Miller Dam by the Lower Colorado River Authority.

Statement of Task

The Water Science and Technology Board (WSTB) was established in 1982 to provide a focal point for studies related to water resources at the National Academies. The board's objective is to improve the scientific and technological basis for resolving important questions and issues associated with the efficient management and use of water resources.
The board's scope covers all dimensions of water resources, including science, engineering, economics, policy, educational issues, and social aspects.

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Contributors

Committee

Chair

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Sponsors

National Science Foundation

Staff

Deborah Glickson

Lead

Laura Ehlers

Lead

Stephanie Johnson

Lead

Jonathan Tucker

Lead

Noel Walters

Lead

Charles Burgis

Lead

Jeanne Aquilino

Maya Frey

Samuel Kraft

Dominique Jenkins

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