USGS Announces AI Powered Streamflow Modelling Tool
In March of this year, the USGS released a new online tool that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to predict stream flow in rivers across the country. The tool, River DroughtCast, which is free and accessible for public use, provides predictions on 3,000 rivers. Developers of the tool say that AI allows it to integrate up to 100 different inputs including weather forecasts, regional snowpack, historic flows, and much more. The condition of each river on a given future date is categorized by percentile of past flows. The categories are no streamflow drought, moderate drought, severe drought, and extreme drought. Within Arizona, 37 of the 45 rivers monitored are currently in moderate to extreme drought. Testing of the tool to date suggests an accuracy of about 75% for predictions seven days in advance, which is considered high for complex streamflow modelling. The tool is capable of making predictions as far out as 90 days. Experts are hoping this tool can be used in a variety of applications, including reservoir management, river recreation, firefighting, and more.