Water Policy and Planning in a Variable and Changing Climate addresses the current challenges facing western water planners and policy makers in the United States and considers strategies for managing water resources and related risks in the future. Written by highly-regarded experts in the industry, the book offers a wealth of experience, and explains the physical, socioeconomic, and institutional context for western water resource management. The authors discuss the complexities of water policy, describe the framework for water policy and planning, and identify many of the issues surrounding the subject. A provocative examination of policy issues surrounding western water resources, this book: Considers the implications of natural climate variability and anthropogenic climate change for the region's water resources, and explains limitations on the predictability of local-scale changes Stresses linkages between climate patterns and weather events, and related hydrologic impacts Describes the environmental consequences of historical water system development and the challenges that climate change poses for protection of aquatic ecosystems Examines coordination of drought management by local, state and national government agencies Includes insights on planning for climate change adaptation from case studies across the western United States Discusses the challenges and opportunities in water/energy/land system management, and its prospects for developing climate change response strategies Presents evidence of changes in water scarcity and flooding potential in the region and identifies a set of adaptation strategies to support the long-term sustainability of irrigated agriculture and urban communities Draws upon Colorado's experience in defining rights for surface and tributary groundwater use to explain potential conflicts and challenges in establishing fair and effective coordination of water rights for these resources Assesses the role of policy in driving flood losses Explores policy approaches for achieving equitable and environmentally responsible planning outcomes despite multiple sources of uncertainty Water Policy and Planning in a Variable and Changing Climate describes patterns of water availability, existing policy problems and the potential impacts of climate change in the western United States, and functions as a practical reference for the student or professional invested in water policy and management.

Water Policy and Planning in a Variable and Changing Climate addresses the current challenges facing western water planners and policy makers in the United States and considers strategies for managing water resources and related risks in the future. Written by highly-regarded experts in the industry, the book offers a wealth of experience, and explains the physical, socioeconomic, and institutional context for western water resource management. The authors discuss the complexities of water policy, describe the framework for water policy and planning, and identify many of the issues surrounding the subject. A provocative examination of policy issues surrounding western water resources, this book: Considers the implications of natural climate variability and anthropogenic climate change for the region's water resources, and explains limitations on the predictability of local-scale changes Stresses linkages between climate patterns and weather events, and related hydrologic impacts Describes the environmental consequences of historical water system development and the challenges that climate change poses for protection of aquatic ecosystems Examines coordination of drought management by local, state and national government agencies Includes insights on planning for climate change adaptation from case studies across the western United States Discusses the challenges and opportunities in water/energy/land system management, and its prospects for developing climate change response strategies Presents evidence of changes in water scarcity and flooding potential in the region and identifies a set of adaptation strategies to support the long-term sustainability of irrigated agriculture and urban communities Draws upon Colorado's experience in defining rights for surface and tributary groundwater use to explain potential conflicts and challenges in establishing fair and effective coordination of water rights for these resources Assesses the role of policy in driving flood losses Explores policy approaches for achieving equitable and environmentally responsible planning outcomes despite multiple sources of uncertainty Water Policy and Planning in a Variable and Changing Climate describes patterns of water availability, existing policy problems and the potential impacts of climate change in the western United States, and functions as a practical reference for the student or professional invested in water policy and management.

This project was initiated to inventory past and present climate monitoring efforts in ERMN. In this report, we provide the following information: Overview of broad-scale climatic factors and zones important to ERMN park units. Inventory of weather and climate station locations in and near ERMN park units relevant to the NPS I&M Program. Results of an inventory of metadata on each weather station, including affiliations for weather-monitoring networks, types of measurements recorded at these stations, and information about the actual measurements (length of record, etc.). Initial evaluation of the adequacy of coverage for existing weather stations and recommendations for improvements in monitoring weather and climate.

Climate is a dominant factor driving the physical and ecologic processes affecting the South Florida / Caribbean Inventory and Monitoring Network (SFCN). This project was initiated to inventory past and present climate monitoring efforts in the SFCN. In this report, the authors provide the following information: Overview of broad-scale climatic factors and zones important to SFCN park units; Inventory of weather and climate station locations in and near SFCN park units relevant to the NPS I&M Program; Results of an inventory of metadata on each weather station, including affiliations for weather-monitoring networks, types of measurements recorded at these stations, and information about the actual measurements (length of record, etc.); and Initial evaluation of the adequacy of coverage for existing weather stations and recommendations for improvements in monitoring weather and climate.

Climate is a dominant factor driving the physical and ecologic processes affecting the Klamath Inventory and Monitoring Network (KLMN). This project was initiated to inventory past and present climate monitoring efforts in the KLMN. In this report, the authors provide the following information: Overview of broad-scale climatic factors and zones important to KLMN park units; Inventory of weather and climate station locations in and near KLMN park units relevant to the NPS I&M Program; Results of an inventory of metadata on each weather station, including affiliations for weather-monitoring networks, types of measurements recorded at these stations, and information about the actual measurements (length of record, etc.); and Initial evaluation of the adequacy of coverage for existing weather stations and recommendations for improvements in monitoring weather and climate.

Climate is a dominant factor driving the physical and ecologic processes affecting the Upper Columbia Basin Inventory and Monitoring Network (UCBN). This project was initiated to inventory past and present climate monitoring efforts. In this report, the authors provide the following information: Overview of broad-scale climatic factors and zones important to UCBN park units. Inventory of weather and climate station locations in and near UCBN park units relevant to the NPS I&M Program. Results of an inventory of metadata on each weather station, including affiliations for weather-monitoring networks, types of measurements recorded at these stations, and information about the actual measurements (length of record, etc.). Initial evaluation of the adequacy of coverage for existing weather stations and recommendations for improvements in monitoring weather and climate.

Climate is a dominant factor driving the physical and ecologic processes affecting the Gulf Coast Inventory and Monitoring Network (GULN), which contains a broad range of upland, freshwater, and coastal ecosystems, including the most extensive wetland areas in the U.S. This project was initiated to inventory past and present climate monitoring efforts. In this report, the authors provide the following information: Overview of broad-scale climatic factors and zones important to GULN park units. Inventory of weather and climate station locations in and near GULN park units relevant to the NPS I&M Program. Results of an inventory of metadata on each weather station, including affiliations for weather-monitoring networks, types of measurements recorded at these stations, and information about the actual measurements (length of record, etc.). Initial evaluation of the adequacy of coverage for existing weather stations and recommendations for improvements in monitoring weather and climate.

Climate is a dominant factor driving the physical and ecological processes affecting Sierra Nevada Network (SIEN) park units. This project was initiated to inventory past and present climate monitoring efforts in the SIEN. In this report, the authors provide the following information: Overview of broad-scale climatic factors and zones important to SIEN park units; Inventory of weather and climate station locations in and near SIEN park units relevant to the NPS I&M Program; Results of an inventory of metadata on each weather station, including affiliations for weather-monitoring networks, types of measurements recorded at these stations, and information about the actual measurements (length of record, etc.); and Initial evaluation of the adequacy of coverage for existing weather stations and recommendations for improvements in monitoring weather and climate.

The purpose of this report is to determine the current status of weather and climate monitoring within North Coast and cascades Network (NCCN). In this report, the authors provide the following informational elements: Overview of broad-scale climatic factors and zones important to NCCN park units; Inventory of locations for all weather stations in and near NCCN park units that are relevant to the NPS I&M networks; Results of metadata inventory for each station, including weather-monitoring network affiliations, types of recorded measurements, and information about actual measurements (length of record, etc.); and Initial evaluation of the adequacy of coverage for existing weather stations and recommendations for improvements in monitoring weather and climate.

Climate is a dominant factor driving the physical and ecologic processes affecting the Sonoran Desert Inventory and Monitoring Network (SODN). This project was initiated to inventory past and present climate monitoring efforts in the SODN. In this report, the authors provide the following information: Overview of broad-scale climatic factors and zones important to SODN park units; Inventory of weather and climate station locations in and near SODN park units relevant to the NPS I&M Program; Results of an inventory of metadata on each weather station, including affiliations for weather-monitoring networks, types of measurements recorded at these stations, and information about the actual measurements (length of record, etc.); and Initial evaluation of the adequacy of coverage for existing weather stations and recommendations for improvements in monitoring weather and climate.

Climate is a dominant factor driving the physical and ecologic processes affecting the Southeast Alaska Inventory and Monitoring Network (SEAN). This project was initiated to inventory past and present climate monitoring efforts. In this report, the authors provide the following information: Overview of broad-scale climatic factors and zones important to SEAN park units. Inventory of weather and climate station locations in and near SEAN park units relevant to the NPS I&M Program. Results of an inventory of metadata on each weather station, including affiliations for weather-monitoring networks, types of measurements recorded at these stations, and information about the actual measurements (length of record, etc.). Initial evaluation of the adequacy of coverage for existing weather stations and recommendations for improvements in monitoring weather and climate.

Climate is a dominant factor driving the physical and ecologic processes affecting the Appalachian Highlands Inventory and Monitoring Network (APHN). This project was initiated to inventory past and present climate monitoring efforts. In this report, we provide the following information: Overview of broad-scale climatic factors and zones important to APHN park units; Inventory of weather and climate station locations in and near APHN park units relevant to the NPS I&M Program; Results of an inventory of metadata on each weather station, including affiliations for weather-monitoring networks, types of measurements recorded at these stations, and information about the actual measurements (length of record, etc.); and Initial evaluation of the adequacy of coverage for existing weather stations and recommendations for improvements in monitoring weather and climate.

Climate is a dominant factor driving the physical and ecologic processes affecting the Cumberland Piedmont Inventory and Monitoring Network (CUPN). This project was initiated to inventory past and present climate monitoring efforts. In this report, the authors provide the following information: Overview of broad-scale climatic factors and zones important to CUPN park units. Inventory of weather and climate station locations in and near CUPN park units relevant to the NPS I&M Program. Results of an inventory of metadata on each weather station, including affiliations for weather-monitoring networks, types of measurements recorded at these stations, and information about the actual measurements (length of record, etc.). Initial evaluation of the adequacy of coverage for existing weather stations and recommendations for improvements in monitoring weather and climate.

Climate is a dominant factor driving the physical and ecologic processes affecting the San Francisco Bay Area Inventory and Monitoring Network (SFAN). This project was initiated to inventory past and present climate monitoring efforts in the SFAN. In this report, the authors provide the following information: Overview of broad-scale climatic factors and zones important to SFAN park units; Inventory of weather and climate station locations in and near SFAN park units relevant to the NPS I&M Program; Results of an inventory of metadata on each weather station, including affiliations for weather-monitoring networks, types of measurements recorded at these stations, and information about the actual measurements (length of record, etc.); and Initial evaluation of the adequacy of coverage for existing weather stations and recommendations for improvements in monitoring weather and climate.

This project was initiated to inventory past and present climate monitoring efforts in the Northeast Temperate Network (NETN). In this report, the authors provide the following information: Overview of broad-scale climatic factors and zones important to NETN park units; Inventory of weather and climate station locations in and near NETN park units relevant to the NPS I&M Program; Results of an inventory of metadata on each weather station, including affiliations for weather-monitoring networks, types of measurements recorded at these stations, and information about the actual measurements (length of record, etc.); and Initial evaluation of the adequacy of coverage for existing weather stations and recommendations for improvements in monitoring weather and climate.

Climate is a dominant factor driving the physical and ecologic processes affecting the Chihuahuan Desert Inventory and Monitoring Network (CHDN). This project was initiated to inventory past and present climate monitoring efforts in the CHDN. In this report, the authors provide the following information: Overview of broad-scale climatic factors and zones important to CHDN park units. Inventory of weather and climate station locations in and near CHDN park units relevant to the NPS I&M Program. Results of an inventory of metadata on each weather station, including affiliations for weather-monitoring networks, types of measurements recorded at these stations, and information about the actual measurements (length of record, etc.). Initial evaluation of the adequacy of coverage for existing weather stations and recommendations for improvements in monitoring weather and climate.

This project was initiated to inventory past and present climate monitoring efforts in the Northeast Coastal and Barrier Network (NCBN). In this report, the authors provide the following information: Overview of broad-scale climatic factors and zones important to NCBN park units; Inventory of weather and climate station locations in and near NCBN park units relevant to the NPS I&M Program; Results of an inventory of metadata on each weather station, including affiliations for weather-monitoring networks, types of measurements recorded at these stations, and information about the actual measurements (length of record, etc.); and Initial evaluation of the adequacy of coverage for existing weather stations and recommendations for improvements in monitoring weather and climate.

Climate is a dominant factor driving the physical and ecologic processes affecting the Rocky Mountain Inventory and Monitoring Network (ROMN). This project was initiated to inventory past and present climate monitoring efforts in the ROMN. In this report, the authors provide the following information: Overview of broad-scale climatic factors important to ROMN park units; Inventory of weather and climate station locations in and near ROMN park units relevant to the NPS I&M Program; Results of an inventory of metadata on each weather station, including affiliations for weather-monitoring networks, types of measurements recorded at these stations, and information about the actual measurements (length of record, etc.); and Initial evaluation of the adequacy of coverage for existing weather stations and recommendations for improvements in monitoring weather and climate.

Climate is a dominant factor driving the physical and ecologic processes affecting the Northern Great Plains Inventory and Monitoring Network (NGPN). This project was initiated to inventory past and present climate monitoring efforts in the NGPN. In this report, the authors provide the following information: Overview of broad-scale climatic factors and zones important to NGPN park units; Inventory of weather and climate station locations in and near NGPN park units relevant to the NPS I&M Program; Results of an inventory of metadata on each weather station, including affiliations for weather-monitoring networks, types of measurements recorded at these stations, and information about the actual measurements (length of record, etc.); and Initial evaluation of the adequacy of coverage for existing weather stations and recommendations for improvements in monitoring weather and climate.

Climate is one of the 12 basic inventories to be completed for all National Park Service (NPS) Inventory and Monitoring Program (I&M) networks and it is a dominant factor driving the physical and ecologic processes affecting the Southern Plains Inventory and Monitoring Network (SOPN). This project was initiated to inventory past and present climate monitoring efforts in the SOPN. In this report, the authors provide the following information: Overview of broad-scale climatic factors and zones important to SOPN park units; Inventory of weather and climate station locations in and near SOPN park units relevant to the NPS I&M Program; Results of an inventory of metadata on each weather station, including affiliations for weather-monitoring networks, types of measurements recorded at these stations, and information about the actual measurements (length of record, etc.); and Initial evaluation of the adequacy of coverage for existing weather stations and recommendations for improvements in monitoring weather and climate.

Climate is a dominant factor driving the physical and ecologic processes affecting the Central Alaska Inventory and Monitoring Network (CAKN). This report provides the following information: Overview of broad-scale climatic factors and zones important to CAKN park units. Inventory of weather and climate station locations in and near CAKN park units relevant to the NPS I&M Program. Results of an inventory of metadata on each weather station, including affiliations for weather-monitoring networks, types of measurements recorded at these stations, and information about the actual measurements (length of record, etc.). Initial evaluation of the adequacy of coverage for existing weather stations and recommendations for improvements in monitoring weather and climate.

Climate is a dominant factor driving the physical and ecologic processes affecting the Heartland Inventory and Monitoring Network (HTLN). This project was initiated to inventory past and present climate monitoring efforts in the HTLN. In this report, we provide the following information: Overview of broad-scale climatic factors and zones important to HTLN park units; Inventory of weather and climate station locations in and near HTLN park units relevant to the NPS I&M Program; Results of an inventory of metadata on each weather station, including affiliations for weather-monitoring networks, types of measurements recorded at these stations, and information about the actual measurements (length of record, etc.); and Initial evaluation of the adequacy of coverage for existing weather stations and recommendations for improvements in monitoring weather and climate.

Climate is a dominant factor driving the physical and ecologic processes affecting the Arctic Inventory and Monitoring Network (ARCN). In this report, the authors provide the following information: Overview of broad-scale climatic factors and zones important to ARCN park units; Inventory of weather and climate station locations in and near ARCN park units relevant to the NPS I&M Program; Results of an inventory of metadata on each weather station, including affiliations for weather-monitoring networks, types of measurements recorded at these stations, and information about the actual measurements (length of record, etc.); and Initial evaluation of the adequacy of coverage for existing weather stations and recommendations for improvements in monitoring weather and climate.

Climate is a dominant factor driving the physical and ecologic processes affecting the National Capital Region Inventory and Monitoring Network (NCRN). This project was initiated to inventory past and present climate monitoring efforts in NCRN. In this report, the authors provide the following information: Overview of broad-scale climatic factors important to NCRN park units; Inventory of weather and climate station locations in and near NCRN park units relevant to the NPS I&M Program; Results of an inventory of metadata on each weather station, including affiliations for weather-monitoring networks, types of measurements recorded at these stations, and information about the actual measurements (length of record, etc.); and Initial evaluation of the adequacy of coverage for existing weather stations and recommendations for improvements in monitoring weather and climate.

Climate drives many of the environmental processes in the Southern Colorado Plateau Inventory and Monitoring Network (SCPN). In this report, the authors provide the following information: Overview of broad-scale climatic factors and zones important to SCPN park units; Inventory of weather and climate station locations in and near SCPN park units relevant to the National Park Service (NPS) I&M Program; Results of an inventory of metadata on each weather station, including affiliations for weather-monitoring networks, types of measurements recorded at these stations, and information about the actual measurements (length of record, etc.); and Initial evaluation of the adequacy of coverage for existing weather stations and recommendations for improvements in monitoring weather and climate.