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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

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.

New Report on Managing Highway Stormwater Quality

Announcement

Stormwater infrastructure plays an important role in protecting water resources, but contaminants from highway runoff are not adequately removed by current structures, and improved management of the various types and sources of pollutants is needed. A new congressionally mandated report from the National Academies recommends methods state departments of transportation could use in their strategies to manage highway stormwater quality.

May 21, 2026
Drenched road from heavy rainfall.

Projects

Independent Scientific Review of Everglades Restoration Progress XI - The 2026 Biennial Review

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Progress

The Future of Drought in the United States

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Progress
BASC-WSTB_Drought_banner-corn.jpg | https://nasemoceprodcomm-nationalacademies.cec.ocp.oraclecloud.com/content/published/api/v1.1/assets/CONTEFDFD265C3674841A42FE2C6E5057CC7/native?cb=_cache_daba&format=webp&channelToken=d2dc71410b56f1d61406108f1738d0f4

Meeting of Experts: Discussion of Potential Impacts of the Camp Edwards Multipurpose Machine Gun Range Project on the Cape Cod Aquifer

Meeting of Experts

Completed

Enabling DOE Regional Energy-Water Technology Pilots

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Progress

Communities, Climate Change, and Health Equity Workshop Series: Exploring flood adaptation strategies to support health equity

Workshop

Completed

Review of the Long-Term Operations of the Central Valley Project and the State Water Project

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Recently Completed
Numerous waterways snake through the delta where the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River meet.

Review of Approaches for Managing Pollutant Loads in Highway Stormwater Runoff

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Progress
DCIM\100MEDIA\DJI_0060.JPG

Workshop on Climate Change and Human Migration: An Earth Systems Science Perspective

Workshop

Completed
Human Migration_UW Banner.png | https://nasemoceprodcomm-nationalacademies.cec.ocp.oraclecloud.com/content/published/api/v1.1/assets/CONT8A71BF10AD4347FDA7445C0B4292C323/native?cb=_cache_daba&format=webp&channelToken=d2dc71410b56f1d61406108f1738d0f4

Independent Scientific Review of Everglades Restoration Progress

Initiative

Completed
Banner-Independent-Scientific-Review-of-Everglades-Restoration-Progress-X.jpg | https://nasemoceprodcomm-nationalacademies.cec.ocp.oraclecloud.com/content/published/api/v1.1/assets/CONT8F435135ACD747CD8DB1D68F7C58D3AC/native?cb=_cache_daba&format=webp&channelToken=d2dc71410b56f1d61406108f1738d0f4

Independent Scientific Review of Everglades Restoration Progress X

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Modernizing Probable Maximum Precipitation Estimation

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Climate Intervention in an Earth Systems Science Framework: A Workshop

Workshop

Completed

Workshop on Tipping Points, Cascading Impacts, and Interacting Risks in the Earth System

Workshop

Completed
Calving Glacier Alaska - Hubbard Glacier - a huge iceberg calves into Disenchantment Bay - St. Elias Alaska. Taken from an Alaska cruise ship - near Yukon, Canada

Community Wastewater-based Infectious Disease Surveillance

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Leading Practices for Improving Accessibility and Inclusion in Field and Laboratory Science: A Conversation Series

Workshop

Completed
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