NOAA/National Weather Service's Chief Learning Office United States Department of Commerce
Commerce Learning Center

Hydrology Professional Development Series (PDS) 3 : Manage a Hydrology Program

PDS Statement of Responsibility : Manage the WFO hydrology program with integrated resources and tools to provide accurate and timely information for partners and the public.

Executive Producer(s):
Kate Abshire - Water Resources/Analysis, Forecast and Support Office/ NWS.

Description of the Area of Responsibility : In support of hydrologic forecast and warning operations, managing the WFO hydrology program ensures the integrity and relevancy of NWS hydrologic services for partners and users. The Hydrology Program Manager (HPM) provides WFO hydrologic leadership, expertise and outreach for flooding, drought, water supply and other local hydrologic issues. Duties are to build and maintain situational awareness and coordination between RFCs and partner agencies as well as maintain the local data program, conduct field work, and configure software. Responsibilities also include training staff to support delivery of NWS hydrologic information during normal and backup operations in addition to gathering and analyzing post event information to improve services.

List of Professional Competency Units (PCUs): In support of hydrologic forecast and warning operations, managing the hydrology program ensures the integrity and relevancy of NWS hydrologic services for partners and users.
  • Lead and conduct WFO Hydrologic Outreach
  • Identify, plan and coordinate changes in the WFO hydrology program
  • Maintain WFO hydrology database and software applications
  • Conduct field work to support WFO hydrology programs
  • Analyze and Verify WFO Hydrologic Events

PCU 4: Conduct field work and research to support WFO hydrology programs


Producers:
Nicole Belk - WFO Boston/Taunton (BOX), nicole.belk@noaa.gov
Marty Pope - WFO Jackson, MS (JAN), marty.pope@noaa.gov
Brian Mcinerney - NWS WFO Salt Lake City, UT brian.mcinerney@noaa.gov

Subject Matter Experts:
Jonathan Brazzell - NWS WFO Lake Charles, LA jonathan.brazzell@noaa.gov

Description of Job Competency to be Achieved :
Program Managers will provide hydrologic and geospatial data to support hydrology programs via fieldwork, local surveys, and cooperation with participating governmental agencies, users, and partners.

Description of Need :
The NWS requires the acquisition of geospatial and temporal data in the proper geographic framework for the hydrologic database. Hydrology Program Manager field work and intra-agency cooperation is vital to obtain accurate data for the functioning of hydrologic programs. The meaning and proper use of geospatial and temporal data, as it relates to the WFO hydrology program, needs to be documented, coordinated with partnering agencies and users, and communicated to river forecast centers and other users.

Abilities/Performance Elements:

Ability 1.
Employ field techniques and identify sources to acquire necessary hydrologic data and associated metadata.
    Skill 1.1.
    Collect survey data through the use of survey equipment or acquire data from other agencies.

    Skill 1.2.
    Assess the advantages/disadvantages of laser and optical levels.

    Skill 1.3.
    Train staff members in flood survey techniques.
    • IC Title: Levels at Gaging Stations Training Class (SW1683)
    • Type: Formal Training through USGS (Not in LMS)
    • Description: USGS Web-based training course designed to illustrate how methods presented in USGS Techniques and Methods Report 3-A19, "Levels at Gaging Stations", by T. A. Kenney can be implemented. This objective is met using graphics and notes and video clips showing how work is conducted in the field.
    Skill 1.4.
    Identify and interpret the impacts of equipment changes to hydro program and operations.

    Skill 1.5.
    Identify gage datum and the impacts of gage datum changes.
    • IC Title: Impacts of a Vertical Datum Conversion on National Weather Service Hydrology Program and Customers
    • Type: Formal Training (in LMS)
    • URL/location: https://doc.csod.com
    • Description: This presentation provides National Weather Service Hydrology Program Managers with background information on how a modernization of the vertical datums would affect the NWS hydrology program at their local offices.
    • IC Title: Flood Insurance Rate Map
    • Type: Tutorial through FEMA (Not in LMS)
    • URL/location:https://www.floodmaps.fema.gov/tutorials/ot_firm.swf
    • Description: Covers the use and application of FIRMs produced by FEMA in support of the NFIP. Each component of the FIRM is explored. The tutorial includes a section that contains examples of how to get specific information from FIRMs.
    • IC Title: Flood Insurance Study (FIS)
    • Type: Tutorial through FEMA (Not in LMS)
    • URL/location:https://www.floodmaps.fema.gov/tutorials/ot_fis.swf
    • Description: This tutorial educates users on the use and application of FIRMs produced by FEMA in support of the NFIP. Each component of the FIRM is explored. The tutorial includes a section that contains examples of how to get specific information from FIRMs.
    • IC Title: Introduction to GIS
    • Type: Tutorial through FEMA (Not in LMS)
    • URL/location:https://www.floodmaps.fema.gov/tutorials/ot_gis1.swf
    • Description: Provides overview of GIS technology and uses. This tutorial leads into a second, more advanced tutorial about FEMA's use of GIS technology to create Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs).
    • IC Title: Using GIS to Create DFIRMs
    • Type: Tutorial through FEMA (Not in LMS)
    • URL/location:https://www.floodmaps.fema.gov/tutorials/ot_gis2.swf
    • Description: The second in the GIS and Advanced Mapping Technology tutorial series, this tutorial provides information on FEMA's use of GIS technology to create DFIRMs. Topics to be addressed include DFIRM components; graphic, base map, and metadata specifications; and database design.
    • IC Title: Using GIS, DFIRM, and Other Data for Sample Community Applications
    • Type: Tutorial through FEMA (Not in LMS)
    • URL/location:https://www.floodmaps.fema.gov/tutorials/ot_gis3.swf
    • Description: The third in the GIS and Advanced Mapping Tutorial Series, this tutorial provides information on the use of DFIRM and other GIS data to produce sample community applications within the context of FEMA flood hazard mapping and mitigation efforts.
    Skill 1.6.
    Assess and utilize of evolving technologies for vertical and horizontal surveying.


Ability 2.
Understand the process and importance of gage installation, maintenance, and record development.
    Skill 2.1.
    List the criteria used for proper siting, installation, maintenance and calibration of various gages.

    Skill 2.2.
    Identify gaging instrumentation strengths and weaknesses.
    • IC Title: Rain Gauge: Are they really ground truth?
    • Type: Formal Training (MetEd)
    • URL/location:https://www.meted.ucar.edu/training_module.php?id=51
    • Description: It is the first streaming video Webcast released by the COMET Program. This interactive and entertaining presentation serves as a helpful reminder of the problems that can plague rain gauge performance including specifics regarding the widely used ASOS rain gauge. The material is suitable for anyone who deploys gauges or routinely uses precipitation gauge data. A version of this Webcast that can be installed on your computer for local playback is also provided.
    • Length: 40 minutes
    Skill 2.3.
    Interpret records of stage and discharge.

    Skill 2.4.
    Measure stage and discharge through indirect methods (e.g. Slope-Area).

    Skill 2.5.
    Develop and interpret rating curves (e.g. Stage/Discharge;Index Velocity; shifts in rating curves).


Ability 3.
Perform site visits and background work for hydrometeorological services.
    Skill 3.1.
    Communicate and network with local officials on flood response activities and tour local flood prone areas.

    Skill 3.2.
    Interact with USGS crews or other gage owners for operations and maintenance procedures and acquire updated station data from gaging partners.

    Skill 3.3.
    Train other NWS staff members to conduct site visits.

    Skill 3.4.
    Identify need and process to change existing flood stages, bankfull, categories, and impact statements.
    • IC Title: Guides for Field Identification of Bankfull Stage
    • Type: Formal Training through USDA-USFS (Not in LMS)
    • URL/location: https://www.fs.usda.gov/biology/nsaec/products-videoswebinars.html
    • Description: A Guide to Identification of Bankfull Stage in the Northeastern U.S.; A Guide for Field Identification of Bankfull Stage in the Western United States; Identifying Bankfull Stage in Forested Streams in the Eastern United States.
    Skill 3.5.
    Assess requirements for the establishment of new forecast points and economic sensitivities associated with bankfull stage, action stage, flood stage, various flood categories (minor, moderate, major), and impact statements.

    Skill 3.6.
    Maintain awareness of development in floodplain and determine and describe the river reach.


Ability 4.
Conduct field work for high or low water disaster surveys.
    Skill 4.1.
    Use proper procedures to collect high water marks.

    Skill 4.2.
    Coordinate and organize teams to perform disaster surveys.

    Skill 4.3.
    Develop a plan to conduct riverine and coastal surveys, if applicable.

    Skill 4.4.
    Identify priority areas, survey selected high water marks or significant low water marks, collect other pertinent flood/low water data.


Ability 5.
Assist with NWS COOP program.
    Skill 5.1.
    Basic knowledge of NWS COOP program and field work.
    • IC Title: CPM01 - Cooperative Network Operations
    • Type: Residence (NWS Training Center)
    • URL/location: https://training.weather.gov/nwstc/CourseInfo/index.php?course=cno
    • Description: To provide the knowledge and skills needed to maintain and manage the Cooperative Observation Program and its associated equipment, and how Co-op supports the Climate, Hydrologic, and Forecast & Warning programs within the NWS, NOAA, and other partner agencies.
    • Length: 8 working days
    Skill 5.2.
    Recruit, train, and distribute awards to Co-Op observers.
    • IC Title: (NWS) Cooperative Observer Program (COOP) Training Materials
    • Type: online materials
    • URL/location: https://training.weather.gov/coop.php
    • Description: multiple online sources of information. General areas include:
      Observational Programs Overview
      Cooperative Program Procedures
      Cooperative Program Equipment and Maintenance Procedures
      Cooperative Program Metadata
    • Length: Various for each area
    Skill 5.3.
    Describe methodologies for Co-op site selection and instrument siting based on NWS programmatic requirements and siting standards.


Ability 6.
Facilitate and perform research for local flood forecast inundation mapping projects.
    Skill 6.1.
    Define the AHPS requirements for flood inundation projects.

    Skill 6.2.
    Assess need, viability, and the support available for flood inundation mapping projects during routine site visits.

    Skill 6.3.
    Identify available data and partnerships for mapping projects.
    • IC Title: Flood Insurance Study (FIS)
    • Type: Tutorial through FEMA (Not in LMS)
    • URL/location: https://www.floodmaps.fema.gov/tutorials/ot_fis.swf
    • Description: This tutorial educates users on the use and application of FIRMs produced by FEMA in support of the NFIP. Each component of the FIRM is explored. The tutorial includes a section that contains examples of how to get specific information from FIRMs.
    Skill 6.4.
    Identify flood inundation mapping sites.

    Skill 6.5.
    Acquire flood information from local sources to help with verification of flood inundation sites.

    Skill 6.6.
    Conduct verification by verifying hydraulic models and E19 impact statements.
    • IC Title: Introduction to Verification of Hydrologic Forecasts Present
    • Type: Formal Training (in LMS)
    • URL/location: https://doc.csod.com
    • Description: A comprehensive description of a set of common verification measures for hydrologic forecasts, both deterministic and probabilistic. Explains how these verification measures can provide valuable information to users with varying needs. In addition to providing a measure of how well a forecast matches observations, verification measures can be used to help forecasters and users learn about the strengths and weaknesses of a forecast.
    • Length: 2 hours
    Skill 6.7.
    Acquire new impact statements from completed flood inundation projects.


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