Advancing Subseasonal-to-Annual Forecast Use in Water Resources Decision Making Under Stationary and Non-Stationary Hydroclimate Regimes
Forecasts have emerged as a key strategy to support the dynamic management of water resources. Effective dynamic management is expected to only increase in importance as water systems experience increased stress under climate variability and climate change. Despite advancements in short-range weather and long-range climate forecasts, there persists a gap between the theoretical value of forecasts to inform water resources management decisions and the actual utilization of forecast information by water managers. This dissertation focuses on the real-world application of forecast information in water resources, specifically in flood risk management and many- objective water reservoir management, to explore the relationship between forecast value and a variety of technological, operational, and social barriers that complicate the utility of forecast information. This work is highly motivated and guided by regional stakeholder needs. Each project is developed with end-user needs in mind, and findings and deliverables are designed to be utilized by water managers in their decision-making processes.