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<br />INTERMOUNTAIN WEST CLIMATE SUMMARY, JANUARY 2008
<br />
<br />National Integrated Drought Information System Drought Portal
<br />
<br />By Christina Alvord, Western Water Assessment
<br />
<br />Introduction
<br />A new clearinghouse for drought information is now available.
<br />The U.S. Drought Portal, (http://w\v\v.drought.gov) released on
<br />November 1, 2007, features drought information, resources, and
<br />products useful in monitoring emerging and ongoing droughts,
<br />assessing impacts, and providing mitigation and preparedness
<br />strategies. The Drought Portal is a part of the National Integrated
<br />Drought Information System (NIDIS), a cross-agency effort to
<br />minimize vulnerability by collaborating drought management,
<br />planning, and preparedness on a national, state, and regional
<br />scale. It features updated drought information including hydro-
<br />logical, agricultural, and metrological conditions useful to a wide
<br />spectrum of user groups.
<br />The Drought Portal was based on the need to assimilate,
<br />archive, and quality- control data and drought information, and
<br />to address drought questions, information gaps, and user needs
<br />in a consolidated location. The Drought Portal is intended as a
<br />localized tool to foster communication and partnership between
<br />NIDIS personnel, experts, and users to develop early detec-
<br />tion and preparedness strategies. A goal of the Drought Portal
<br />is to provide a customized approach to drought information by
<br />
<br />providing a "My Page" feature, allo\ving users (decision mak-
<br />ers, producers, general public, etc) to select and save products,
<br />content, data, and/or indices specific to their knowledge level and
<br />information needs.
<br />Content selection and organization is based on providing users
<br />with tools and resources necessary in early drought detection and
<br />is available on the county, regional, and national scale. Three
<br />main boxes on the homepage feature the latest U.S. Drought
<br />Monitor, the Drought Impact Reporter, and the U.S. Seasonal
<br />Outlook, which provides information on current conditions,
<br />impacts, and expected persistence (Figure 15a). The Drought
<br />Portal features data and information from federal and non-federal
<br />sources, as well as an overview of NIDIS, drought education,
<br />planning, and research. A searchable database allows users to
<br />find specific products or resources, and a scroll of recent na-
<br />tional drought news features drought information from a regional
<br />perspective.
<br />From the homepage, users click on topic headings or the main
<br />boxes for related products and resources categorized by meth-
<br />odologies, sector, topic, and regional resources. Information is
<br />categorized in several ways to appeal to multiple user groups,
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<br />Current DrOUGht Information
<br />
<br />More on Drouaht Imoacts
<br />
<br />Welcome to drought. gov!
<br />
<br />The u.s. Drought Portal was officially launched on November 1, 2007. It was created to
<br />provide comprehensive information on emerging and ongoing droughts, and to enhance
<br />the nation's drought preparedness. The Drought Portal is part of the National Integrated
<br />Drought Information System (NIDIS), which was recommended by the Western Governors
<br />Association in 2004 and enacted into law in 2006.
<br />
<br />To learn more about NIDIS see the Overview oaGe, or visit the 'What is NIDIS' section
<br />found in the menu above.
<br />
<br />The NIDIS Implementation Plan, published in June 2007, provides a detailed overview of
<br />the NIDIS initiative (pdf version). Vie',',' Plan
<br />
<br />
<br />We will continue to add content to this web site. Please
<br />visit us again to find more and updated information. Your
<br />feedback is important to us. Please send comments using
<br />one of the email addresses in 'Contact Us'.
<br />
<br />'-USA.gov
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<br />See the Latest Forecast
<br />
<br />"20 water-saving resolutions for
<br />2008" - Atlanta Journal-Constitution
<br />(1.10.2008)
<br />(view article)
<br />
<br />"Big snowfall pads Sierra snow pack,
<br />water outlook" - USA Today (1.6.2008)
<br />(vie','.' article)
<br />
<br />"Experts worry dry conditions
<br />threaten S.c. ecosystem" - CJ7arlotte
<br />Observer (1.6.2008)
<br />(view article)
<br />
<br />"Holiday rains spare Atlanta from
<br />drought record" - CNN (12.31.2007)
<br />(view article)
<br />
<br />"NOAA Updates U.S. Drought
<br />Forecast" - NOAA (12.20.2007)
<br />(view article)
<br />
<br />More DrOUGht r~ews...
<br />
<br />Figure 15a. The NIDIS Drought Portal homepage features drought information organized by topic, an
<br />introduction to NIDIS, and articles of regional interest.
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<br />FocuS PAGE 11 8
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